Elevation gain: 380 feet
Trails used: Lincoln Trail, Rollins Trail.
Highlight(s): fire tower on the summit of Mount Kearsarge, 360 degree views from the summit of Mount Kearsarge.
Joe messaged me earlier in the day Sunday with plans of heading into New Hampshire to stop at Bass Pro Shop, and he asked if I wanted to borrow his sleeping bag for a overnight Brian and I have planned for next week. He also was planning on driving up the auto road on Mount Kearsarge and using the shorter hiking trails on that side to see what kind of views he could get. I met him in Warner at the Park N Ride and then hopped in his car for the short drive over to the auto road and almost as short hike up to the summit of Mount Kearsarge. Joe was still recovering from knee surgery so we would take our time hiking today.
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. The fire tower on the summit was manned today (I have been here numerous time and no warden) so the views were just as good as the ones you can get from the ground.
Mount Kearsarge is on the New Hampshire Two Hundred Highest List and New Hampshire 52 With A View (52 WAV).
The picnic area/parking area for the Rollins State Park side of Mount Kearsarge. The easier of the two sides you can use to reach the summit of Mount Kearsarge.
There were snow showers before we arrived at the mountain so it was not a surprise to see the white stuff hanging around still on this chilly day.
A snow squall moving in over Black Mountain, a southwestern spur of Mount Kearsarge.
Looking up to the fire tower and summit area of Mount Kearsarge from the Lincoln Trail.
Even more snow was on the ground as we get near the summit of Mount Kearsarge.
The views from the summit of Mount Kearsarge (elevation: 2920 feet) looking towards Mount Ascutney, Croydon Peak and Grantham Mountain.
The views towards Smarts Mountain, Mount Cardigan, and Mount Moosilaukee (which was in the clouds) from inside the fire tower cab on the summit of Mount Kearsarge.
The summit area of Mount Kearsarge was still a pretty popular place to be despite the stiff, cold wind and snow flurries that accompanied us on the hike. You can see the white snowflakes in this picture looking towards Mount Sunapee and the Pillsbury State Park area from inside the fire tower cab on the summit of Mount Kearsarge.
Joe and the fire warden in the cab of the fire tower on Mount Kearsarge. This is the first time I have been up in the cab of the fire tower in the numerous times I've hiked up here.
Looking towards Mount Whiteface, Mount Passaconaway, Mount Chocorua, and the Ossipee Range from the summit of Mount Kearsarge.
The hike up to the summit of Mount Kearsarge was easy as usual. The ledges were not that popular today and we didn't feel the effects of the wind and cold until we reached the summit area. The hike down the Rollins Trail is always a nice short hike and probably the easiest trail for people to use to reach the summit. It was also nice to finally get into the fire tower cab to see what the fire wardens do, and the views they get.
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