Beautiful Summer Day on the Hancocks

There was some great weather in the forecast for today after a week with hot and humid temperatures. My hike today would take me up to the North and South summits of Mount Hancock. The hike would start on the Hancock Notch Trail to the Cedar Brook Trail then the Hancock Loop Trail. I would be taking the clockwise loop up to the North summit first then descend the South summit.

Tom, Field, Willey and Avalon

After carefully watching the weather over the course of the week I decided to postpone my hike from Saturday to Sunday. It's a good thing I did as Saturday was hot and humid with afternoon rain and thunderstorms. Today was supposed to be a much better day. My plan was to hike Mounts Tom (4,051'), Field (4,340') and Willey (4,285'), all on the 4,000 footer list. I also planned on visiting the summit of Mount Avalon (3,442').

Osceolas From Tripoli Road

Unable to hike this weekend I decided to take the day off and hike the Osceolas. I had been closely watching the changing weather forecast all week. With hazy, hot and humid conditions and a possibility of rain I wanted to get an early start. My hiking route today would take me up the Mount Osceola Trail to Mount Osceola (4,340') then over to East Osceola (4,156') and return on the same trail.

Hiking To a Wet Waumbek

With inclement weather on the way this weekend I was looking for a short hike to a 4,000 footer that was somewhat sheltered. Waumbek seemed to meet my requirements. With low clouds the limited views from this summit wouldn't matter. This past week I bought a new pair of hiking shoes, the Merrell Moab Ventilator. As soon as I slipped them on in the store I had to have them, they are very comfortable. Today's wet conditions would be a good test of these lightweight, breathable summer hikers.

Cool and Windy on Cabot

With a windy day in the forecast and a late start I decided to do Mount Cabot (4,170'). It's a good sheltered hike only fifteen minutes from my house and I needed it for July. My route would take me into the York Pond fish hatchery starting on the York Pond Trail to Bunnell Trail and up the Kilkenny Ridge Trail to the summit of Mount Cabot. My return trip would take me down the same trails instead of completing the loop around Unknown Pond.