Franconia Ridge

Franconia Ridge

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Twenty-Mile Bonds Traverse


Today I would be hiking one of the epic hikes in the White Mountains, a Bonds traverse from Zealand Road to Lincoln Woods on the Kancamagus Highway. I calculated the actual distance from the map which added up to 19.9 miles, with the extra walking around the summits and spur paths the total was very close to twenty miles. I would be joining fellow hikers Jill and Henry. Today's summits included the following 4,000 footers, Zealand Mountain (4,260'), West Bond (4,540), Mount Bond (4,698') and Bondcliff (4,265'). We would also be crossing over Mount Guyot (4,580') but it does not meet the criteria as an official 4,000 footer.

Saturday, May 21, 2016

A Hike Above Treeline to Adams and Madison


I've been wanting to hike both Mount Adams(5,574') and Mount Madison(5,367') and with a favorable weather forecast today it seemed to be the perfect opportunity. My route would take me up Valley Way to the Gulfside Trail over to Airline and to the summit of Mount Adams for my first summit. Then back down Airline and Gulfside with an ascent on Mount Madison via the Osgood Trail. My descent would take me back down the Osgood Trail and Valley Way.

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Wildflowers and Waterfalls on the Imp Trail


I had no hiking plans today. It was late morning, the rain had stopped and a check of the weather forecast called for clearing but cold and windy throughout the day. I made a spur of the moment decision to go hiking, something close by and short. A loop hike on the Imp Trail was just what I was looking for. Between blooming wildflowers and some moderate rain over the past 12 hours I thought there might be some worthy photo captures along this trail. Well, I wasn't disappointed and it surpassed my expectations! Low light from the cloud cover brought out the forest colors providing some great photographic oppotunities. I met only two other hikers, a couple coming down from Middle Carter that reported needing traction shortly after ascending the North Carter Trail. Traction was not needed for my hike on the Imp Trail. This will be the extent of my narrative for this blog post. I'll let the photos and captions take you through my hike. Enjoy!

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Cloudless Hike To Mount Carrigain


I decided to forego my hiking last weekend as the weather was not looking favorable. That's the beauty of living close to the hiking here in the mountains, I can go at the spur of the moment when the conditions are good. The forecast for this week had a great stretch of Spring weather ahead and I needed to take some time off at work so I thought today would be a great day for a hike. Sawyer River Road recently opened and it was looking perfect for a hike to Mount Carrigain (4,700'). Fellow hiker Brian was on vacation and he would be joining me today. Our plan was an out and back ten-mile hike on the Signal Ridge Trail.