Mount Kearsarge (South)

Summit: Mount Kearsarge (south) (2,935')

Trail route: Winslow Trail, Barlow Trail

Trail conditions: Mostly dry with some muddy sections

Weather: Cold and sunny with a few clouds, a cold wind on the summit

Total miles: 2.7

Total time:  2:15

On the road before daylight this morning doing another long drive for a short hike. Marty would be joining me again for one more 52 With a View summit. We both made reservations yesterday to avoid paying on the way in since we would be there before the attendant would be at the gate house.

Once again Marty was already there when I arrived, we were the only ones in the parking lot. We started our one mile ascent to the summit on the Winslow Trail. This is a nice trail with a few sections that are steep and rocky. Closer to the summit it is all ledge to the top.

There was a cold wind greeting us on the summit. The views are spectacular in every direction. We went to the summit cairn then over to the fire tower and yes we had to climb up to get the full effect of the cold wind and views. We had the summit to ourselves for a few minutes before a couple of hikers arrived from a different trail.

Our descent would take us down the 1.7 mile Barlow Trail. There are some good views to the north from this trail but we also had to deal with some wet and muddy areas which were just a small annoyance. It was a nice hike back to the trailhead. There were a few more cars in the parking lot but we had seen no other hikers on the trails we took.

Mount Kearsarge (south) is a nice short hike with a big reward of 360 degree views. It shares similarities to Mount Kearsarge (north) that also has a summit tower and 360 degree views although the hike is longer. 

This was my summit #49 for the 52 With a View list. Thanks to Marty for joining me on this hike, always good to have a friend along for company!

Enjoy the photos and videos! 

The hike starts here up the Winslow Trail

A rocky trail

View from the trail

A ledge scramble to the summit

First ice

Summit towers in sight

Getting closer

Up on the summit

View to the east

Cold wind blowing

Sun breaking through morning clouds

View south

View west

View north

Heading over to the towers

Summit cairn

Descending the Barlow Trail

Heading down

Tentacle roots

Nice bridge but not really necessary

Back at the parking lot

Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!