Monday, December 24, 2018

Whiteface and Passaconaway. December 22, 2018

Don't forget to make your end-of-the-year donations to Union of Concerned Scientists!

Blueberry Ledge Trail, Rollins Trail, Dicey's Mill Trail.
11.9-mile loop with 3800 feet of elevation gain.

(My phone was not working this morning, so all photos were taken by Mom).

It was Mom's birthday today!  She wanted to hike and we needed Whiteface and Passaconaway for the Grid, so we set out on a very rainy morning up Blueberry Ledge Trail.  We had a change of clothes with us, so we let ourselves get wet and then just changed on the trail close to Whiteface's summit.

I am about to travel for Christmas vacation, so I will just post photos today.  Even when we don't publish long posts, we still at least want to post photos so we have a record of our hikes.  Alex and I will both get back to posting longer trip reports after the holidays.

One note, though.  Rollins Trail was soft and we sunk to our knees often even though we were wearing snowshoes.  It was a difficult trail today with the soft snow!  Also, none of us got a clear photo of Passaconaway's summit.  :(

Have a wonderful holiday, everyone!  Don't forget to look at Alex's blog for other trip reports (we take turns posting).











Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Mt. Washington. December 1, 2018

Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Crawford Path (partly - someone had broken a more direct trail through the snow, so we followed that), 9.0 miles, 3,800 feet

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Mom, Alex, and I started just after dawn on the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail.  We all wore snowshoes, as the trail was not fully packed out.  Making our way up the trail, we quickly made it to treeline and then to the hut.  The summit cone looked daunting, but we persevered to the summit.

Photo by Trish Herr

Taking a break by (closed) Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Photo by Trish Herr

The rime ice and views were spectacular!



Photo by Trish Herr

Photo by Trish Herr

The sun was shining and it was surprisingly warm outside.





Photo by Trish Herr

Mom being silly -- photo by Trish Herr


After having a snack, we headed down.  There were a significant number of people coming up, some of them with dogs, so Mom, Alex, and I weren't lonely as we made our way down Mount Washington.


There was a beautiful undercast...




Looking back...


We got back to the hut as the sun blared into our eyes.


Mom, Alex, and I made our way down, continuing to meet other people coming up.  Eventually, we arrived at our car.  The hike had been a short, beautiful, and enjoyable adventure.

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Galehead, South Twin, and North Twin. November 18, 2018


Gale River Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Frost Trail, Twinway, North Twin Spur.
14.4 miles out-and-back with 4350 feet of elevation gain.

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Alex and I alternate writing trip reports, so to explore our other recent adventures, visit http://www.alexinthewhitemountains.com/.


Hello everyone! Since this is Thanksgiving week, I am going to make this short.  Alex, Mom, and I hiked Galehead, South Twin, and North Twin last Sunday.  The trail was partially packed out, but the snow was not yet firm.  We wore snowshoes for the entire hike.  This slowed us down, and we ended up coming out in headlamps.  Here are the photos from the hike.   Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!







On Galehead's summit...

Photo by Trish Herr

At Galehead's viewpoint with South Twin in the background (left)... 

Photo by Trish Herr

View from Galehead's lookout.  Galehead hut is below and South Twin is in the back to the right...

Photo by Trish Herr

Heading up South Twin, close to the top of the steep climb...

Photo by Alex Herr


On South Twin's summit...

Photo by Trish Herr

Photo by Trish Herr


Alex looking happy...

Photo by Alex Herr
 Heading over to North Twin...

Photo by Alex Herr

Photo by Alex Herr
At North Twin's summit/lookout...

Photo by Trish Herr

Photo by Trish Herr

Photo by Trish Herr

Views in various directions from our journey back to South Twin (we took these close to South Twin, above treeline)...

Photo by Alex Herr


Photo by Alex Herr

Photo by Alex Herr

Photo by Alex Herr

Back on Gale River Trail, just before we put on our headlamps.  Note the almost full moon shining through the trees...

Photo by Alex Herr
Thank you for reading and have a wonderful holiday!