Gridding Out Whiteface/Passaconaway and December

Summits: Mount Whiteface (4,020'), Mount Passaconaway (4,043')

Trail route: Blueberry Ledge Trail, Rollins Trail, Dicey's Mill Trail

Trail conditions: A coating of snow to start with several inches at higher elevations, mostly snow on the Whiteface ledges with some areas of ice, more ice on the trails at higher elevations 

Weather: A cold wind, full sunshine

Total miles: 11.9

Total time:  7:18

Gridding Out Mount Jefferson

Summits: Mount Jefferson (5,712')

Trail route: Jewel Trail, Gulfside Trail

Trail conditions: Coating of snow to start, frozen snow and ice at higher elevations with a lot of exposed rocks and ledges

Weather: Cold start, cold and breezy above treeline with lots of sunshine

Total miles: 9.8

Total time: 7:50

Gridding Out the Twins and Galehead

Summits: North Twin (4,761'), South Twin (4,902'), Galehead (4,024')

Trail route: North Twin Trail, North Twin Spur, Twinway, Frost Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Gale River Trail

Trail conditions: Dusting of snow at the start with some occasional ice up to six inches of snow at higher elevations

Weather: Cool, sunshine with lots of blue sky

Total miles: 12

Total time: 8:30

A Hike to South and Middle Moats

Summits: South Moat (2,749'), Middle Moat (2,805')

Trail route: Moat Mountain Trail

Trail conditions: Dry for the most part with some wet ledges and frozen snow and ice between summits

Weather: Cool, sunshine with increasing clouds

Total miles: 6.6

Total time: 4:50

Mount Chocorua via Piper Trail

Summit: Mount Chocorua (3,475')

Trail route: Piper Trail

Trail conditions: Snow, a couple inches to start and several inches at higher elevations with occasional ice underneath

Weather: Cold and windy, sunshine and lots of blue sky

Total miles: 8.4

Total time: 5:40

Wintry Loop Hike to Jackson and Webster

Summits: Mount Jackson (4,052'), Mount Webster (3,910')

Trail route: Webster-Jackson Trail, Jackson Brook Trail, Webster Cliff Trail, Webster Brook Trail

Trail conditions: Snow, a couple inches to start and several inches at higher elevations with occasional ice underneath

Weather: Cold with sunshine

Total miles: 6.5

Total time: 6:00

Hiking to a Wintry Mount Pierce

Summits: Mount Pierce (4,310')

Trail route: Crawford Path, Webster Cliff Trail

Trail conditions: Lots of ice on the trail

Weather: Sunshine to high clouds with cool temps

Total miles: 6.4

Total time: 5:00

Loop Hike to Mount Pleasant in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Summit: (4,071')

Trail route: Henry Lanum Loop Trail

Trail conditions: Dry with areas of grassy vegetation across the trail

Weather: Warm sunny with some fair weather clouds

Total miles: 6.3

Total time:  3:44

A Hike to Stratton Mountain

Summit: Stratton Mountain (3,940')

Trail route: Appalachian Trail/Long Trail

Trail conditions: Dry with a few minor wet/muddy spots

Weather: Warm but cool on the summit and sunny with some fair weather clouds

Total miles: 7.6

Total time:  3:58

Mount Hayes via Centennial Trail

Summit: Mount Hayes (2,555')

Trail route: Centennial Trail, Mahoosuc Trail

Trail conditions: Wet with some muddy spots, slick ledges, rocks and roots

Weather: Cool to warm and slightly humid with low overcast

Total miles: 6.6

Total time:  5:42

Hiking the Saddlebacks

Summits: Saddleback (4,116'), The Horn (4,041')

Trail route: Ski trails: Wheeler, Grey Ghost and Tri-Color, Appalachian Trail

Trail conditions: Dry, minor mud in a few spots

Weather: Cool to warm with lots of sunshine

Total miles: 6.8

Total time:  4:52

Hike to Jay Peak and Big Jay

Summits: Jay Peak (3,862'), Big Jay (3,786')

Trail route: Long Trail to Jay Peak, Herd Path to Big Jay

Trail conditions: Long Trail was dry, herd path was overgrown and muddy 

Weather: Warm and slightly humid, sunshine to overcast

Total miles: 5.5

Total time:  4:20

Up Tuckerman Ravine to Boott Spur

Summit: Boott Spur (5,500')

Trail route: Tuckerman Ravine Trail, Lawn Cutoff, Davis Path, Boott Spur Trail

Trail conditions: Dry, wet areas from recent rain and wet slippery rocks on Boott Spur Trail  

Weather: Warm, sunshine with lots of fair weather clouds

Total miles: 7.4

Total time:  6:38

Out and Back to Speckled Mountain

Summit: Speckled Mountain (2,906')

Trail route: Spruce Hill Trail, Bickford Brook Trail

Trail conditions: Dry with a few minor wet spots   

Weather: Warm with lots of sunshine

Total miles: 6.2

Total time:  4:15

Hike to Iron Mountain and Beyond

Summits: Iron Mountain (2,726')

Trail route: Iron Mountain Trail

Trail conditions: Dry   

Weather: Warm with cumulus clouds and sunshine

Total miles: 4.4

Total time:  3:24

Loop Hike to Caribou Mountain

Summits: Caribou Mountain (2,850')

Trail route: Mud Brook Trail, Caribou Trail 

Trail conditions: Dry with some insignificant wet and muddy sections  

Weather: Warm and slightly humid, a nice breeze on the summit

Total miles: 6.5

Total time:  4:08

A No-Summit Presidential Traverse

Summits:  None 

Trail route: Valley Way, Gulfside Trail, Westside Trail, Crawford Path, Crawford Connector

Trail conditions: Mostly dry with a few patches of mud and wetness

Weather: Cool start (briefly), then warm, cooling wind above treeline, hot and muggy on the final descent, lots of sunshine all day

Total miles: 18

Total time:  15:30

Wandering Around the Wild River Wilderness

Summits:  None 

Trail route: Basin Trail, Black Angel Trail, Wild River Trail

Trail conditions: Mostly dry with a few patches of mud and wetness, low water on crossings with some completely dry 

Weather: Cool start then warming up with a mix of clouds and sunshine

Total miles: 7.3

Total time:  5:25

A Zealand/Bonds Traverse to Grid Out July

Summits:  Zealand (4,260'), Guyot (4,580'), West Bond (4,540'), Mount Bond (4,698'), Bondcliff (4,265') 

Trail route:  Zealand Trail, Twinway, Zeacliff Spur, Zealand Spur, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur, Lincoln Woods Trail 

Trail conditions: Mostly dry with a few patches of mud and wetness 

Weather: Cool start warming up with comfortable temps throughout the hike with lots of blue sky and sunshine

Total miles: 19.5

Total time:  11:00

Lafayette and Lincoln on a Holiday Weekend

Summit: Mount Lafayette (5,260'), Mount Lincoln (5,089')

Trail route: Old Bridle Path, Greenleaf Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Falling Waters Trail

Trail conditions: Dry trails with minor wet areas

Weather: Warm sunshine, cool and windy on the summits

Total miles: 8.8

Total time: 6:34

Mark Completes The Grid

Summits: Mount Washington (6,288')

Trail route: Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Crawford Path, cog access road 

Trail conditions: Dry with some wet and muddy section, cog access road has very loose rocks and dirt  

Weather: Warm start, cool breeze at the summit and hot on descent with sunshine and passing clouds

Total miles: 6.6

Total time:  6:00

Mount Pierce on the First Day of Summer

Summits: Mount Pierce (4,310')

Trail route: Crawford Path, Webster Cliff Trail

Trail conditions: Mostly dry trail with some wet areas

Weather: Sunshine and partly cloudy with warm temps

Total miles: 6.4

Total time: 5:25

In Search of the Snow Arch

I was looking for another short hike since recovering from COVID. This is the time of year when the Snow Arch appears in Tuckerman Ravine. I thought this would be a good hike to continue building my strength.

A Hike to Little Deer Hill and Deer Hill

Summits: Little Deer Hill (1,080'), Deer Hill (1,367')

Trail route: Deer Hill Connector, Deer Hills Trail, Deer Hill Bypass

Trail conditions: Dry, slightly wet ledges

Weather: Sunny and warm

Total miles: 5

Total time:  4:20

Hiking The Twins and Galehead to Grid Out May

Summits: North Twin Mountain (4,761'), South Twin Mountain (4,902'), Galehead Mountain (4,024')

Trail route: North Twin Trail, Twinway, Garfield Ridge Trail, Gale River Trail

Trail conditions: Spring conditions with wet trails, mud, slick rocks and roots, rotting monorail, some water crossings slightly high

Weather: Cool start turning warm with full sunshine

Total miles: 12

Total time:  8:48

Gridding Out Mount Garfield

Summits: Mount Garfield (4,500')

Trail route: Gale River Loop Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail

Trail conditions: Spring conditions with dry trail, wet trail, some mud, ice, solid monorail with loose upper layer

Weather: Blue sky, sunshine and warm temps

Total miles: 12 

Total time:  6:30

Gridding Out the Carters

Summits: Carter Dome (4,832') South Carter (4,430'), Middle Carter (4,610')

Trail route: Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, North Carter Trail, Imp Trail, Bushwhack from Imp Trail to 19MBT

Trail conditions: Spring conditions with dry trail, wet trail, mud, frozen packed snow and ice

Weather: Cool start to cold and breezy on the summits and warm toward the end of the hike

Total miles: 12

Total time:  8:37

Whiteface and Passaconaway for #11

Summits: Mount Whiteface (4,020'), Mount Passaconaway (4,043')

Trail route: Blueberry Ledge Trail, Rollins Trail, Dicey's Mill Trail

Trail conditions: A variety of Spring conditions including dry trail, hard-packed snow, ice, wet, mud

Weather: Warm, sunshine and blue sky

Total miles: 11.9

Total time:  7:12

Mount Jefferson for #11 and Gridding Out Mount Monroe

Summits: Mount Jefferson (5,712'), Mount Monroe (5,372')

Trail route: Jewel Trail, Gulfside Trail Jefferson Loop, Westside Trail, Crawford Path, Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail

Trail conditions: Spring conditions, hard packed frozen snow, crusted snow, soft snow, ice, bare rock, mud, wet trail

Weather: Cool to warm temps, high clouds with sun shining through

Total miles: 11.8

Total time:  9:33

Spring Hike to Mount Carrigain

Summit: Mount Carrigain (4,700')

Trail route: Sawyer River Road, Signal Ridge Trail

Trail conditions: Road is clear, trail starts bare with intermittent icy sections then solid hard packed snow and a couple inches of fresh snow and drifting at higher elevations

Weather: Cool temps to start then warming up, sunshine and blue sky

Total miles: 13.4

Total time:  7:17

Gridding Out the Tripyramids

Summits: North Tripyramid (4,180'), Middle Tripyramid  (4,140')

Trail route: Pine Bend Brook Trail

Trail conditions: Spring conditions with bare trail to start, then mud, ice, packed snow, soft snow

Weather: Cool temps with a slight wind on the ridge and summits under a sunny sky

Total miles: 9.4

Total time:  6:40

Gridding Out Owl's Head

Summit: Owl's Head (4,025')

Trail route: Lincoln Woods Trail, Black Pond Trail, Black Pond Bushwhack, Lincoln Brook Trail, Brutus Bushwhack

Trail conditions: Spring conditions with a mix of bare ground, mud, wet, ice, packed snow, granulated snow, fresh soft snow on the summit

Weather: Cool start becoming warm, blue sky and lots of sun

Total miles: 16

Total time:  8:44

Gridding Out Mount Isolation

Summit: Mount Isolation

Trail route: Rocky Branch Trail, Isolation Trail, Davis Path, Iso Express

Trail conditions: Dry trail to start then packed frozen snow, some wet sections and mud 

Weather: Cool to warm with sunshine and blue sky, breezy on the summit

Total miles: 10.4

Total time:  6:40

Cold and Windy on Mount Garfield

Summits: Mount Garfield (4,500')

Trail route: Gale River Loop Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail

Trail conditions: Bare ground to hard packed snow and minimal ice, a few inches of new snow at upper elevations

Weather: Cloud cover cleared to all blue sky, cold and windy at the summit

Total miles: 12.4 RT

Total time:  6:47

Mount Carrigain in March

Summit: Mount Carrigain (4,700')

Trail route: Sawyer River Road, Signal Ridge Trail

Trail conditions: Packed solid snow, ice, granular snow and mashed potatoes at lower elevations on the return trip

Weather: Cool temps, cloudy with partial sun and snow flurries

Total miles: 14

Total time:  8:15

Gridding Out Mount Willey

Summit: Mount Field (4,340'), Mount Willey (4,285')

Trail route: Avalon Trail, Willey Range Trail

Trail conditions: Solid trails with an inch of fresh snow and some drifting between Field and Willey

Weather: Cool temps and overcast sky

Total miles: 8.4

Total time:  5

A Hike to the Osceolas on a Beautiful Winter Day

Summits: East Osceola (4,156'), Mount Osceola (4,340')

Trail route: From the Kancamagus Highway via Greeley Ponds XC Ski Trail, Mount Osceola Trail

Trail conditions: Loosely packed trail with some ice under a coating of snow on the steep sections and deep unconsolidated snow on the south side of East Osceola

Weather: Comfortably cold with sunshine and blue sky

Total miles: 7.6

Total time:  7:16

North and Middle Tripyramids for #11

Summits: North Tripyramid (4,180'), Middle Tripyramid  (4,140')

Trail route: Pine Bend Brook Trail

Trail conditions: Packed snow with wind blown snow and drifts on the ridge

Weather: Cool temps with a slight wind on the ridge and summits under a sunny sky

Total miles: 9.6

Total time:  5:46

A Cold and Windy Hike to Galehead Mountain

Summits: Galehead Mountain (4,024')

Trail route: Beaver Brook XC Ski Trail, Gale River Loop Road, Gale River Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Frost  

Trail conditions: A solid trail all the way to the summit

Weather: Frigid start with calm wind to cold bitter wind, overcast and occasional sun showing through

Total miles: 12

Total time:  6:10

Owl's Head For #11

Summit: Owl's Head (4,025')

Trail route: Lincoln Woods Trail, Black Pond Trail, Black Pond Bushwhack, Lincoln Brook Trail, Brutus Bushwhack

Trail conditions: Solid Lincoln Woods Trail, packed but loose snow after that, trail snow blown in on the ridge to the summit 

Weather: Cold start warming up above freezing, sun to clouds over the course of the day

Total miles: 16

Total time:  8:43

Middle and South Carters After A Snowstorm

Summit: Middle Carter (4,670'), South Carter (4,430')

Trail route: Camp Dodge cut-off, Imp Trail, North Carter Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Nineteen Mile Brook Trail

Trail conditions: Solid snowshoe trail to start then loose, unconsolidated snow at higher elevations then a bare booting mess on the way down

Weather: Frigid to start and cold thereafter, partly cloudy with sunshine

Total miles: 10.7

Total time:  6:43

Wildcat A to Finish Gridding Out the Wildcats

Summits: Wildcat A

Trail route: Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail

Trail conditions: 

Weather: Partly cloudy to start then clearing skies, temps in the 30's

Total miles: 8.6

Total time: 5:37

Hike to Galehead via the Twins to Complete Round 9 of the 48

Summits: North Twin Mountain (4,761'), South Twin Mountain (4,902'), Galehead Mountain (4,024')

Trail route: Little River Road, Haystack Road, North Twin Trail, Twinway, Garfield Ridge Trail, Gale River Trail, Gale River Loop Road

Trail conditions: Trail started hard-packed first 2 miles then soft packed thereafter 

Weather: Cold temps but comfortable, cloudy sky with snow flurries

Total miles: 15

Total time:  8:30

Cold Loop Hike to Mount Moosilauke

Summit: Mount Moosilauke (4,802')

Trail route: Ravine Lodge Road, Gorge Brook Trail, Carriage Road, Snapper Trail

Trail conditions: Ravine Lodge Road is plowed but gate is closed at winter hiker parking lot, hard packed trail with loose snow at higher elevations

Weather: Frigid start and cold wind on the summit with clear blue sky and sunshine

Total miles: 10.5

Total time: 4:47

Owl's Head in January

Summit: Owl's Head (4,025')

Trail route: Lincoln Woods Trail, Black Pond Trail, Black Pond Bushwhack, Lincoln Brook Trail, Brutus Bushwhack

Trail conditions: Solid trail to start with loosely packed snow along the ridge to the summit

Weather: Cold, cloudy with periods of light flurries

Total miles: 16

Total time:  8

Cold Day on the Tripyramids

Summits: North Tripyramid (4,180'), Middle Tripyramid  (4,140')

Trail route: Pine Bend Brook Trail, Sabbaday Brook Trail

Trail conditions: Soft, loose unconsolidated snow with occasional ice underneath

Weather: A cold day with sunny skies

Total miles: 10

Total time:  6:46

Frozen Trails on a Hike to Whiteface and Passaconaway

Summits: Mount Whiteface (4,020'), Mount Passaconaway (4,043')

Trail route: Blueberry Ledge Trail, Rollins Trail, Dicey's Mill Trail

Trail conditions: Solid, frozen trail with frozen footprints after last weekend's slush along with some icy sections

Weather: Cold, no wind but an occasional slight breeze, sunshine and blue sky

Total miles: 11.9

Total time:  7:40

Wet Hike to Carter Dome

Summit: Carter Dome (4,832')

Trail route: Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Carter Dome Trail

Trail conditions: Slushy, some ice and exposed rocks and roots

Weather: Cool temps, overcast sky with light drizzle and some snowflakes

Total miles: 10

Total time:  6:00