A Hike to Mount Parker

I took a break from hiking a 4,000 footer today and added another peak to my 52 With a View list. I would be joining Jill, Marty and Brent for a hike to Mount Parker. A warm day was in the forecast.

It was an early morning drive to Bartlett, NH but not as early as some of my previous hikes. The trailhead was easy to find and there was a nice parking lot right beside the Saco River. We all arrived within minutes of each other.

We were on the trail about 7:30 AM. It was a nice gradual ascent before dropping down into a col then a steeper climb to the summit. We had great views in three directions, north, south and east.  Trees prevented views to the west.

After a relaxing break on the summit we started our descent. It was an enjoyable hike down except for maybe the ascent back up out of the col. There were lots of hikers on their way up and I was glad to be on my way down with the increasing temperature and humidity. It was nice to have the river right next to the parking lot for cooling off hot feet.

With this being my first time to Mount Parker it was fun exploring a new summit. It's been a rather tough month for hiking due to hot, humid temps and lots of showers. I still need three more hikes to complete my 48 4,000 footers for July.

Enjoy the photos!

The hike starts here

Entering the Dry River Wilderness

Leaving the Mt Langdon Trail and continuing on the Mt Parker Trail

Curly Q tree

The only Indian pipe seen on this hike

Up on the summit with a view of Mount Crawford and the Willey Range in the distance

Presidential summits can be seen in this view

Zooming in on the summit of Mount Washington

Looking past Engine Hill to the Wildcats

More summits to the east

The tower can be seen on Mount Kearsarge north

Attitash Ski Area

There were lots of cones on the summit

Mount Crawford

Hikers can be seen approaching the summit cairn on Mount Eisenhower

Bent tree

Snuggling mushrooms

Lots of burls were seen on this hike

Cascading brook

Flowering raspberry

Daisy fleabane

Back at the parking lot by the river

Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!