Big Bickford Mountain (NH) 1/30/2016

Big Bickford Mountain

Location: Franconia, New Hampshire
Mileage: 4.5 Miles
Elevation Gain: 1700 Feet
Trails Used: Skookumchuck Trail, Bushwhack
Views: None, Wooded Summit
Difficulty: Moderate

Hiking Lists: NH 200 Highest/NH 3000 Footers

What a difference a few months makes, especially from one hiking season to another. The first time I did this bushwhack with Desi, it was slightly overcast.  A few months ago, I did this hike with Kris on a rainy day. Now it was time to give it a go in winter since the snow conditions were light and I could bare boot from the trailhead to the summit, without the need for snowshoes. I would only be doing Big Bickford Mountain and skipping Scarface Mountain on today's hike. When I arrived at the Skookumchuck Trailhead parking area, it was lightly snowing and I was the only car parked there. Gearing up quick, I headed up the Skookumchuck Trail on a light layer of fresh snow.

I started off hiking on the Skookumchuck Trail but ended up bushwhacking to the summit of Big Bickford Mountain after the first water crossing, which was a bit tricky to cross.

I took the southern ridge up to the summit of Big Bickford Mountain and came across these fresh moose rubbings on the trees. I followed the rubbing patterns for a bit, but I saw nothing.

I bushwhacked through this old logging landing where the snow was almost knee deep in spots.

I hit this wide-open birch glade just before the summit of Big Bickford Mountain. I followed recent moose tracks and found several places where the moose had bedded down.

The jar register, not a canister like normal, on the summit of Big Bickford Mountain, elevation 3261 feet

You can see my tracks as I follow them back down to my car, once again through open woods.

A fairly quick return trip had me back at the car just as the snow showers were ending. I managed to get this picture of Cannon Mountain and Mittersill Mountain.

This would be a quick round trip hike, as the snow depths were firm and made it easy to walk on top of the snow. I wore Microspikes from the car to the summit of Big Bickford Mountain and back down. As soon as I returned to the car, I decided to call it a day and head home. This bushwhack is always enjoyable as there really isn't a bad route to the summit.

Mount Israel - Dinsmore Mountain (NH) *1/23/2016*

Mount Israel - Mount Dinsmore

Location: Sandwich, New Hampshire
Mileage: 5.55 Miles
Elevation Gain: 2135 Feet
Trails Used: Wentworth Trail, Bushwhack
Views: Ledges Below and From the Summit of Mount Israel
Difficulty: Moderate

Hiking Lists: Mount Israel - New Hampshire 52 WAV/NH 300 Highest

Brian and I wanted to take it easy this week and enjoy some views without too much effort. We decided on Mount Israel, something we’d done before but in a different season. I suggested adding a short bushwhack over to Dinsmore Mountain, and the plan was set. As usual, seeing it through would be a fun challenge. Snow conditions were still light, but with the recent hot-then-cold weather, the snow ranged from hard-packed to knee-deep along the bushwhack to Dinsmore. It was shaping up to be a cold, breezy, and cloudy winter day, but we were determined to make the most of it.

We hiked the Wentworth Trail, covered in hard-packed snow. It begins just to the left of the Mead Base Camp parking area.

The Wentworth Trail is straightforward and easy to navigate. We wore Microspikes the entire day for this round-trip hike, even during the knee-deep bushwhack.

The views from ledges below the western summit of Mount Israel looking towards Red Hill, with the Belknap Range behind it.

From the ledges just below Mount Israel’s western summit, you can take in stunning views of Mount Kearsarge, Ragged Mountain, Mount Sunapee, and the nearby Rattlesnake Mountains in the Squam Lakes region.

From the summit of Mount Israel, you can see the lower summit in the foreground, with Tenney Mountain and Mount Cardigan rising beautifully in the distance.

From the summit of Mount Israel, the views stretch out toward Killington Peak and Pico Peak in Vermont. Dinsmore Mountain sits nearby, waiting as our next destination.

From the summit of Mount Israel, the view stretches toward Mount Chocorua, Mount Paugus, and Mount Passaconaway peeking over Mount Whiteface, with East Sleeper, West Sleeper, and the Tripyramids in sight, along with Flat Mountain and Young Mountain close by.

From the summit of Mount Israel, the views stretch out toward the Tripyramids, Sandwich Mountain, and Black Mountain.

From the summit of Mount Israel, the view stretches toward Black Mountain, Mount Moosilauke, Cone Mountain, Mount Cushman, and Mount Kineo.

The view from the summit of Mount Israel stretches toward Mount Paugus, its South Peak, and the striking Mount Chocorua.

Brian and I at the summit of Mount Israel, elevation 2,636 feet.

We left the Wentworth Trail and began bushwhacking through the open woods toward Dinsmore Mountain. In some areas, the snow reached nearly to our knees.

The jar register sits at the highest point of Dinsmore Mountain, at an elevation of 2,298 feet. Of the two summit bumps, the southern one is the taller.

We bushwhacked down the drainage and headed straight for the Wentworth Trail, passing through more open woods.

The bushwhack back to the car was a mix of knee-deep snow, but heading downhill is always easier than the climb up. We were satisfied with this hike, so we skipped doing another and called it a day—something rare for us, but in winter, it’s better to be safe than sorry. It was a pleasant winter day to revisit Mount Israel, especially since the conditions could have been worse.

Mount Paugus - Mount Paugus-South Peak (NH) 1/16/2016

Mount Paugus - Mount Paugus-South Peak

Location: Albany, New Hampshire
Mileage: 9.2 Miles
Elevation Gain: 2920 feet
Trails Used: Gordon Path, Old Mast Road, Lawrence Trail, Kelly Trail, Bushwhack
Views: From South Peak Ledges, Wooded Summit
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Lists: NH 200 Highest/NH 3000 Footers

The hike for this Saturday was actually meant to be a longer hike; head over to Mount Paugus, backtrack and hit Square Ledge for the 52 With a View and then back to the car. We knew it was going to be a cold winter day, and we made it to the Ferncroft parking area with winds and falling snow, which was somewhat heavy. There were several cars already there and a few more pulled up as we began the hike.

We parked at the Ferncroft trailhead parking area and took the Gordon Path a short distance and then hiked up the Old Mast Road. There was recent foot traffic, so the hiking was easy.

Walking along the Old Mast Road, which was easy to follow even with no recent foot traffic.

We are about to cross into the Sandwich Range Wilderness. From this point to the summit of Mount Paugus, there would be no blazes.

This is the junction of the Walden Trail/Lawrence Trail/Old Mast Road/Square Ledge Trail. We would turn right and head down the Lawrence Trail which had not seen much foot traffic recently and had a light layer of fresh snow.

We made the mistake of losing the re-routed Lawrence Trail and following the old section of the trail that goes up rather steeply. We ended up in thick, steep woods and these wet plateau areas so we bushwhacked back down to the trail.

The views looking towards Mount Passaconaway as we near the area where we would start the bushwhack to the summit of Mount Paugus along the Lawrence Trail.

The jar register on the main summit of Mount Paugus, elevation 3198 feet. This one has a habit of disappearing as this is the third different container I have seen here. 

As we made our way back down to the Lawrence Trail, and onward to Mount Paugus-South Peak, we got this view of Mount Chocorua before the clouds surrounded it.

Moose rubbings/gnawing on a section of trees as we bushwhack towards the Lawrence Trail.

Heading back along the Lawrence Trail was just as tough as it was going up to Mount Paugus, due to the light snow-covered sections of ice that made footing sketchy.

We decided to take the Kelly Trail back down instead of the way we came in. The Kelly Trail runs along a small brook for almost the whole length, and we descended along a ravine. Footing was not bad, although ice still made its appearance.

We made it to the last section of the walk out on the Gordon Path and back to the car.

The snow came down for a better part of the day and even as we neared the end of the hike, the sun still tried peeking out for a few minutes. Our desire to continue on to Square Ledge petered out pretty much once we were done with the bushwhack to Mount Paugus, as the off-course mishap made for a wetter day. We managed to make the best of the conditions, and although there were no views from Mount Paugus-South Peak, we still had a good day outdoors.

Mount Kineo-East Peak (NH) *1/9/2016*

Mount Kineo-East Peak

Location: Ellsworth, New Hampshire
Mileage: 6.7 Miles
Elevation Gain: 1980 Feet
Trails Used: Snowmobile Trail, Bushwhack
Views: None, Wooded Summit
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Lists: NH 200 Highest

Today was set for a solo bushwhack, and with light snow conditions, it felt like the perfect day for it. The first few weeks of winter have been wild, with temperatures and conditions swinging all over the place. Earlier in the week, when Desi and I attempted to hike up Mount Kineo, there was more snow in the area, so I planned to use some of the snowmobile trails nearby to help me reach the summit of Mount Kineo-East Peak.

At snowmobile intersection E (155 North), I snapped a photo of the trails to keep on hand for future hikes in the area.

I took the direct route through the open woods, sometimes steep, heading straight for the ridge west of Mount Kineo-East Peak’s summit.

I emerged from the woods near the research station and followed the snowmobile trail over the ridge for a quick bushwhack to Mount Kineo-East Peak.

A canister sits atop the wooded summit of Mount Kineo-East Peak, standing at an elevation of 2,979 feet.

I followed a snowmobile trail to reach the summit of Mount Kineo-East Peak and then took the same route back to my car. It looked like it had been used by snowmobiles recently.

Buzzell Brook flowed gently as I hiked back to my car.

The hike up to the summit of Mount Kineo-East Peak was quick, with firm snow making for easy walking. This was my second visit to the peak, but my first time in winter. Strolling through the quiet woods, free from the noise of the outside world, felt almost serene. Light snow began to fall as I made my way along the ridge to and from the summit, but it wasn’t bothersome. 

Engine Hill South (NH) *1/2/2016*

Engine Hill South

Location: Sargents Purchase, New Hampshire
Mileage: 6.7 Miles
Elevation Gain: 2255 Feet
Trails Used: Rocky Branch Trail, Bushwhack
Views: Views from Ledges Below Mount Crawford
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult

Hiking Lists: None

I messaged Kris about a month back and asked him what his plans were for the next few weeks/weekends, specifically around Christmas and New Years. He told me the second of January would probably be doable so we waited to see how the weather would be before we planned anything out. His only stipulations would be a short hike since he hadn't hiked for some time and has had knee issues for a while. I agreed that we would try something easy and not too difficult for him.

Our original pick for the day was Kearsarge North, but unfortunately, I did not get a good sleep the night before and felt a bit under the weather, so we settled on another peak that he needed to do - Engine Hill South. Since it was supposed to be cloudy and snow showers all day, I figured this would be a better peak to do anyways, if we were to have a low chance for views. Plus, the mileage was about comparable with a little less elevation gain.

Kris heading up the start of the Rocky Branch Trail. We used Microspikes for the round-trip hike to the summit of Engine Hill South.

Some sections of the Rocky Branch Trail were a muddy mess despite the recent snow. There haven't been enough cold nights and snow to cover up the water crossings and low land areas.

It's beginning to look like true winter on this section of the Rocky Branch Trail before the height of land, where we would start the bushwhack.

We started the bushwhack shortly after we crossed into the Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness at the height of land.

Kris led us to the summit of Engine Hill South through mostly open woods, like this birch glade. The snow was about mid-calf high but easy to walk in.

The jar register on the summit of Engine Hill South, elevation 3255 feet. The moose antler has been there since the first time I was here in 2011.

Summit selfie with Kris on the summit of Engine Hill South. It was a quick sign in and snack break and then following our tracks back to the Rocky Branch Trail. This peak lacks the 200-foot prominence needed for the NH 200 Highest and NH 3000 Footers.

The views of Engine Hill North peak from the birch glades we passed through on the bushwhack up to Engine Hill South.

We made it back to the cars at a decent time despite a later start. The weather wasn't bad although snow showers were a constant until we headed back to the cars and then slight views opened up. It was a quick hike back down. We met a couple who attempted the Engine Hill bushwhack with thoughts of doing Mount Isolation today but the bushwhack portion of the hike was not tracked out very well and it was slow going for the two of them, despite wearing snowshoes. Kris and I did not have that problem though, when we made the bushwhack wearing just microspikes. It was a nice hike overall.

Mount Kineo Trail (New Years Day Hike 2016): 1/1/2016

Mileage: 4.30 miles
Elevation gain: 715 feet
Trails used: Three Ponds Trail, Mount Kineo Trail.
Highlight(s): woods walk, cascades along Brown Brook.


This would be my third annual New Year's Day hike to begin the New Years (2015 was Stinson Mountain with Desi, 2014 was Mount Osceola-East Peak and Mount Osceola with Brian.) Desi and I had discussed a few peaks to do that shouldn't be a problem with the somewhat fresh snow we had received a few days prior. After looking at the maps and guidebooks, we decided on Mount Kineo which we could do a bushwhack to reach the summit if conditions were good. While it was cold, and there was a fair bit of snow on the ground, the going wasn't bad at first.

We drove the CRV to the unplowed parking area off of Stinson Lake Road for the Mount Kineo Trail, which is also used by snowmobiles.

There was an old snowshoe track down on the beginning part of the Mount Kineo Trail but we decided to not use snowshoes for this hike, which Desi had debated.

We turned left onto the Mount Kineo Trail, which is also a snowmobile trail (which had no recent traffic).

The Mount Kineo Trail runs along Brown Brook, which despite the cold temperatures, was still flowing well and not frozen completely.

We came along this little cascade on Brown Brook, just before the snowmobile bridge crossing.

The snowmobile bridge over Brown Brook and the junction of the Mount Kineo Trail and Donkey Hill Cutoff.

The snow was the deciding factor of the day for Desi, who hasn't hike very much lately. I could have kept up a good pace of breaking trail but with still a mile and a half to go, plus a bushwhack to reach the summit of Mount Kineo, we decided to turn around and call it a day. We reversed course and made it back to the car in decent time. With more snow, and a decent snowmobile packed out trail, we will attempt this one again at some point this year.