Lafayette and Lincoln to Complete the Winter 48

Summit: Mount Lafayette (5,260'), Mount Lincoln (5,089')
Trail route: Old Bridle Path, Greenleaf Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Falling Waters Trail
Trail conditions: Soft packed snow to unconsolidated snow
Weather: Cold temps and windy, frigid windchills across the ridge
Total miles: 8.8
Total time: 6:45

A Hike to Zealand for Winter #46

Summit: Zealand Mountain (4,260')

Trail route: Zealand Road, Zealand Trail, Twinway

Trail conditions: Soft packed snow to unconsolidated snow 

Weather: Cold temps to start then warming into the 30's, sunshine early with afternoon thin cloud cover

Total miles: 18.8

Total time: 9:45

Winter Hike to Owl's Head for W45

Summit: Owl's Head (4,025')
Trail route: Lincoln Woods Trail, Black Pond Trail, Black Pond Bushwhack, Lincoln Brook Trail, Brutus Bushwhack
Trail conditions: packed firm snow and packed loose snow
Weather: Cloudy to partly sunny with snow flurries and temps in the 20's
Total miles: ~16.6
Total time: 9:40

Winter Hike to Mount Garfield

Summits: Mount Garfield (4,500')
Trail route: Gale River Loop Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail
Trail conditions: Hard packed and soft packed trail with an unbroken section to the summit
Weather: High, thin cloud cover and cold temps
Total miles: 12.4 RT
Total time:  6:25

Madison and Adams on an Early Winter Day

Summit: Mount Madison (5,367'), Mount Adams (5,774')
Trail route: Valley Way, Osgood Trail, Air Line Connector, Air Line
Trail conditions: All trails were well packed with occasional sections of ice and some bare rock
Weather: Cold with temps in the teens, calm to light wind on the summits, high clouds and blue sky
Total miles: 10.1
Total time: 8:26

Beautiful Winter Day Hike to Mount Isolation

With the official winter hiking season coming to an end this month I wanted to hike another summit that I need for my winter 48 4,000 footers. I would be hiking to the remote summit of Mount Isolation (4,003') with Jill and Larry. Just before leaving the house I checked the weather. The forecast called for clouds and temps in the 30's with possible flurries later in the day. Our route would take us up the Rocky Branch Trail to the Engine Hill bushwhack over to Isolation Trail and onto the Davis Path with a short spur path to the summit of Mount Isolation.

A Warm Winter Hike to Passaconaway

A check of the forecast on Tuesday indicated very nice weather for today. I decided it would be a great day to hike Mount Passaconaway (4,043'). Last Saturday I hiked Mount Whiteface with hiking companions Jill and Amy. These two summits are usually done in the same hike but they already had Passaconaway for the lists they are working on. They were willing to loop around while I went up and tagged the Passaconaway summit but when we saw the postholes on the Rollins Trail we decided to turn around and go back down over the ledges of Whiteface. I decided to go back another day and hike Passaconaway, well today was the day!

Up and Down the Ledges of Mount Whiteface

The initial hike planned for today was Mount Adams and Mount Madison. Winds on the high summits were forecast to be hurricane force sustained with 100+ mph gusts. This prompted a change of plans for a hike that would be protected from the wind. I would join Jill and Amy for a hike to Mount Whiteface (4,020'). This was another summit that I needed for my winter 48 4,000 footers. I also needed Mount Passaconaway but Jill and Amy did not so we would decide whether or not to do the loop depending on the conditions.

Fresh Snow on the Hancocks

I had not been feeling well the past couple of days so I decided when I woke up this morning that I felt good enough to go hiking. I would be joining fellow hikers Larry, Marty and Brent for a hike to the two Hancock summits, Mount Hancock (4,420') and South Hancock (4,319'). There had been several inches of new snow overnight so I was not sure if this would be another trail breaking hike. Our route would take us across the Hancock Notch Trail from the Kancamagus Highway then up the Cedar Brook Trail to the Hancock Loop Trail.

Breakin' Trail Over the Twins to Galehead

With the weather forecast looking rather drab, dreary and less than optimal a group of us decided to hike North Twin and South Twin then down to Galehead. There was the possibility that we would be breaking out the trails to these summits. There's strength in numbers and I would be joining Guy, Mark, Jim, Jill, Robin, Amy D, Amy L, and Dolores for this hike today.

Another Snowy Sunday Morning on Waumbek

After a frigid Saturday I postponed my hike to this morning. With some light snow overnight and more forecast for today I was looking for a short hike with a short drive. I decided on Mount Waumbek (4,006'). This is a 7.2 mile hike and about a 40 minute drive for me. Trail reports indicated a solid trail and the need for only microspikes. This would be the second time that I've hiked Waumbek on a snowy Sunday morning.

22+ Miles Out and Back to the Bonds

Weather conditions today were looking favorable for one of the epic winter hikes in the White Mountains. I would be joining Jill, Amy, Mark and Jim for the long trek deep into the Pemigewasset Wilderness to Bondcliff (4,265'), Mount Bond (4,698') and West Bond (4,540'). Our route would take us on the Lincoln Woods Trail to the Bondcliff Trail and onto the West Bond Spur. The return trip to Lincoln Woods on the Kancamagus Highway would go back over Mount Bond and Bondcliff for a 22.6 mile round trip hike.

Windy on the Wildcats

With sustained winds around hurricane force and gusts exceeding 100mph it would not be a day for hiking the Presidentials. Today I would be hiking the Wildcats with fellow hikers Jill, Amy, Robin, Jim, Larry and Marty. Our route would take us up the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail then a steep climb to Wildcat A (4,422') and across the Wildcat Ridge Trail to Wildcat D (4,062') and down the Polecat Ski Trail at Wildcat Ski Area.

Monroe and Washington on the Last Day of Winter

There was spectacular weather in the mountains yesterday and I was hoping for a repeat today. The forecast was looking like a great day to hike above treeline. This would be the last hike on the last full day of Winter. The summits for today's hike would be Mount Monroe (5,372') and Mount Washington (6,288). I would be joining fellow hikers Mark and Jill. These two summits would complete Mark's Winter 48 4,000 footers!

Solo on the Kinsmans

After a weekend of frigid temps and extreme windchills I decided to hike on Monday. While not as cold as the weekend it was still cold but without the strong winds. Today I would be hiking North Kinsman (4,293') and South Kinsman (4,358'). My route would take me up the Mount Kinsman Trail to the Kinsman Ridge Trail over North Kinsman continuing on to South Kinsman and returning on the same trails.

A Cool Crisp Hike to Galehead

It was a very cold Saturday with frigid wind chills well below zero. Although not as cold as yesterday, today's weather forecast was again calling for windchills below zero especially on the summits. I would be joining fellow hikers Jim, Jill, Robin, Amy D. and Amy L. for a hike to Galehead Mountain (4,024'). Our route would start on the Beaver Brook cross country ski trail over to the Gale River Loop Road and up the Gale River Trail to the Garfield Ridge Trail past the Galehead Hut to the Frost Trail and up to the summit of Galehead Mountain. We would return on the same trails.

Mount Moosilauke For #48 Second Round

The weather forecast was calling for a windy day with unseasonably warm temps and a possibility of rain or snow showers in the afternoon. I would be joining up with fellow hikers Brian, Jill and Mark for a hike up Mount Moosilauke. Our route to the summit would be on the Snapper Trail and Gorge Brook Trail returning on the same trails. This summit would complete my second round of the 48 4,000 footers. It just so happens that Mount Moosilauke was #48 on my first round.

Wildcat D on the Edge of a Nor'easter

I had no firm plans on hiking today with a Nor'easter bearing down on New England. I would make my decision to hike when I got up to Pinkham Notch and evaluate the current weather conditions. My summit of choice was Wildcat D (4,062'). This solo hike would take me up the Polecat ski trail so I wouldn't need to concern myself with breaking trail.

What's Up Willey?

What's up Willey? I was up Willey today. After spending the last couple of days fighting off some sort of minor "bug" I was ready to get in a hike and some fresh air. I needed Mount Willey (4,285') for my Winter 48 4,000 footer list. Many hikers usually include Mounts Tom and Field but I'd already done those in the winter. My planned route would be up the Ethan Pond Trail to the Willey Range Trail then up to the summit of Mount Willey and back down the same trails.

Snowshoeing Tecumseh

Cold temps, wind and snow showers were in the forecast. I had narrowed my hiking choices down to three and at the last minute decided to hike Mount Tecumseh (4,003'). It's a long drive for me and a short hike but it is on the 48 4,000 footer list. Although this would be a solo hike I was expecting many hikers on the trail today.