Zero Degree Buttsled Ride From Hermit Lake

Locked in a cold spell I was finding it difficult to motivate myself to get out and hike a 4,000 footer in this frigid weather. I finally decided to do a short hike up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail and buttsled down the Sherburne Ski Trail. I knew the trail would be well packed and I would not be out in the cold temps for an extended period of time. This was supposed to be the "warm" day of the long holiday weekend.

Christmas Eve Day Hike to Carter Dome

My hike today would take me up to the summit of Carter Dome (4,832') after some recent snowfall and mixed precipitation. This was the one day break between storms. The route to the summit would take me up Nineteen Mile Brook Trail to Carter Dome Trail and finally the Carter-Moriah Trail. Fellow hikers Jill, Amy and Jim were getting an earlier start so I would be trying to catch up to them at some point during the hike.

A Cold Sunday Morning on Mount Tecumseh

Today would be a long drive for a short hike up Mount Tecumseh (4,003'). This is one of my longest drives to a 4,000 footer. Last Sunday was the shortest drive but a longer hike to Mount Cabot. The weather forecast called for clear skies and cold temps. I wanted to get an early start to beat the Waterville Valley ski crowd to the parking area close to the trailhead. My hiking route would take me up the Mount Tecumseh trail to the summit and back down the same way for a 5-mile round trip hike.

First Tracks to Mount Cabot

I woke up this morning still undecided as to where I wanted to hike. It was a toss-up between Tecumseh and Cabot. I could do a short hike with a long drive or a longer hike with a shorter drive. Because I was taking my time getting ready I chose the short drive, about 15 minutes for me, to Mount Cabot (4,170'). I also didn't feel like getting into the Waterville Valley ski crowd and the parking hassle.

Capturing Clouds on Franconia Ridge

Today I would be joining Jill, Mark and Steve for a hike to Lincoln and Lafayette. Steve would be completing his 48 4,000 footers. The forecast called for clouds and seasonal temps. Appeared to be good weather for a hike across Franconia Ridge. Our route would take us up the Falling Waters Trail to Little Haystack Mountain then across the Franconia Ridge Trail to Mount Lincoln and on up to Mount Lafayette before descending Greenleaf Trail and continuing down the Old Bridle Path to complete the loop.