Mount Kearsarge: 8/10/2014

Mileage: 3.70
Elevation gain: 1525 feet
Trails used: Winslow Trail, Rollins Trail, Lincoln Trail, Barlow Trail.
Highlight(s): 


The day after Brian, Joe and I did the long hike from Lafayette to Galehead, Desi got a text from Becky asking her if she wanted to join her and Joe on a hike.  They were going to do Mount Kearsarge about midday on Sunday.  Desi asked me if I wanted to go (since I was invited) so off we went.  How could I refuse easy miles on a nice day, and hiking with good company to boot.  

I suggested doing this in a figure eight sort of hike.  This was about my 6th time on this mountain, and we have done every trail (minus the full length of the Lincoln Trail) so why not.  It doesn't add much elevation gain from the auto road side.

Mount Kearsarge is located in both Wilmot and Warner, New Hampshire.  Two state parks are located around the mountain:  Winslow State Park and Rollins State Park.  Rollins State Park has an auto road that goes all the way up to about one-half of a mile below the summit. We would go from the Winslow State Park side.

Mount Kearsarge is on the New Hampshire 200 Highest List and New Hampshire Fire Tower List.

We started off on the Winslow Trail from the Winslow State Park side of Mount Kearsarge.

 The Winslow Trail takes a pretty direct route to the summit.  The trail shows a lot of erosion but is still maintained enough that one can follow it without getting lost.

More evidence of the erosion as shown on this steeper section of the Winslow Trail. 

It's not long before you start making your way onto the ledges just below the summit.

A communication tower and the fire tower make an appearance as we approach the summit of Mount Kearsarge.

Colorful trail junction sign for the Winslow and Barlow Trails.

Panorama from the fire tower on Mount Kearsarge.

More hazy views looking towards the Ossipee's and eastern peaks taken from the summit of Mount Kearsarge (elevation 2937').

Desi and Becky heading down the Rollins Trail to the picnic area on the Rollins State Park side of Mount Kearsarge. 

There is very little water on this hike but this little spot looked like it gets regular use.

Desi and Becky walking down a section of the Rollins Trail that has seen quite a bit of trail maintenance in the last few years.

The sign for the Lincoln Trail.  This section is also a section of the SRKG (Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway).

Desi coming up the ledges on the Lincoln Trail.  This is the fun part of the hike; hiking up the ledges and rock piles to get to the summit.

Desi and Joe coming up the ledges on the Lincoln Trail, with Black Mountain in the background (a sub-peak of Mount Kearsarge which has no trail to it).

Going up the ledges towards the summit again.  You can see the SRKG blaze in the lower left corner of the picture.  Also, the tower's make an appearance once again.

Looking back to the parking area on the Rollins State Park side.

Gnarly tree's abound on the ledges.

Ragged Mountain with Route 4 visible.

Joe and Becky heading back down the Barlow Trail.

Easy miles on a nice day.  Since Kearsarge is close to us, it's always a joy to hike since it's not too far away and the mileage is easy.  The views have never disappointed, either.  Both State Parks offer something for everyone and any of the trails could be family friendly.