Mt Potash and the good book

 

I had been to this trailhead (Downes Brook off the Kamcamagus highway) about a month ago but hiked to Hedgehog mountain instead. A recent hiatus from hiking (bad back) had given me time to think about things and I realized had gotten away from the wisdom of the good book and I should return to using it for guidance. It had always led me to great things in the past. The hike to Mt Potash is a delight and one I will return to for fall folliage as well as in winter conditions. The 2 mile long trail is a mix of soft switchbacks and open rock. There is a nice ledge part way up with a close-up view of Passaconaway. The summit is partly open with views west towards the Tripyramids and north to a slightly further away Carrigain. Put this one on your list, great views for small effort.

 

Oh and if you are interested, check out the good book here (or buy it in person where you can also get hiking advice from an expert).

Carrigain

My vacation got off to a great start with a hike up Mt Carrigain. Thankfully, the approach road (Sawyer River) had been rebuilt after the Irene damage. This hike has been described as Adirondack-like as it is entirely in the forest (except for a section of Signal ridge) and the mountain itself is somewhat remote. Just 5 miles and 3200 feet of elevation gain up a steady slope of rocky trail. The tower on the summit gets you above the trees for a 360 view. It was fairly hazy and the other mountains are off in the distance but I was not complaining about the view!

More pics

Spring skiing at Attitash

The ski package at the motel was for Wildcat and Attitash (a dual ticket that meant you could ski at both on a given day). Wildcat with it's west facing exposure was faring well with the spring heat wave. Attitash was doing much better although the skiing was best in the early morning before the sun and heat turned the snow to wet cement. Attitash has a nice view to the north of the southern presidentials and some of the mountains west of Crawford notch to the west (see pic above of Mt Carrigain). At the top there is a small lookout tower complete with guide to the peaks that you can see).