Mount Hale Loop Hike

The weather forecast was looking ominous early this morning with showers and thunderstorms along with hazy, hot and humid conditions. I have a low tolerance for hot and humid so I chose a short hike to Mount Hale (4,054'). The plan was to park at the Zealand Trailhead, a one mile road walk to the Hale Brook Trail, 2.2 miles to the summit of Mount Hale then 2.7 miles down the Lend-a-Hand Trail, a brief stop at the Zealand Hut and completing the loop with a 2.7 mile hike back to the parking lot on the Zealand Trail.

Avoiding the Crowds on Owl's Head

Large crowds of hikers could be expected on all the popular trails with the long Fourth of July weekend here. This would not be the case on Owl's Head so I joined fellow hikers Jill and Larry for the long hike to this summit. Both have hiked to Owl's Head several times and this would be my second. The weather forecast called for warm temps and an overcast sky.

Climbing the Caps to Mount Jefferson

I've been hiking the Presidential summits this month. Today I would be hiking the Caps Ridge Trail to Mount Jefferson. With heavy rain in the forecast for tomorrow this would be the best day for hiking above tree line. The forecast called for high clouds moving in but summits in the clear with comfortable temps and light wind. I bought a new backpack last week, an Osprey Stratos 50, and was going to break it in today or maybe it would break me in. I was quite happy with the way it fit in the store but loaded down and on the trail might be a different story.

Mount Eisenhower via Crawford Path

The weather forecast was indicating prime conditions for a day of hiking. My hike today would take me over two 4,000 footers. The plan was to hike up the Crawford Path to Mount Eisenhower via the Eisenhower Loop around to the Crawford Path again and back to Mount Pierce on the Webster Cliff Trail down to the Mizpah Spring Hut and across the Mizpah Cut-Off for the final descent to the trailhead.

Bear Encounter on the Way to Mount Crawford

I had planned on hiking Mount Chocorua yesterday with my son but was feeling sick. I met my son at the Piper Trail, we visited for a few minutes then I returned home and went to bed. Today I was feeling better so I decided to do a short hike with great views. Mount Crawford via the Davis Path is the hike I chose.