Mount Kearsarge NH TR 120615
Dec 9, 2015 10:09:40 GMT -5
Post by hoosier on Dec 9, 2015 10:09:40 GMT -5
Mount Keasarge NH
Sunday December 6, 2015
On Sunday morning I had some free time available to fit in a short hike prior to needing to be back in Manchester NH for a prior commitment at 2:00 pm. Decide to get an (6:30am) early start. For the approximately one hour drive up to Winslow State Park and hike Mount Kearsarge. Which would allow me plenty of time to get back without rushing my hike.
A description of Kearsarge (elev 2937) from Summit Post web Site:
(Mount Kearsarge is a dominant peak in central New Hampshire. While not high compared to the White Mountains further north, it has been for generations an attractive peak to hike. Though around 200 feet shorter then Mt. Manadnock and Mt. Cardigan, Mt. Kearsarge has many characteristics of the two. It has multiple trails (though not half the amount of the other two), major popularity and a bare summit (except for the fire tower and the cell phone tower). From the summit on a clear day lies a spectacular view of the White Mountains and Mt. Cardigan in the north, the Green Mountains and Mt. Sunapee in the west and the Monadnock Region and the Merrimack Valley in the south.)
After November 30th the main gate on the access road from Kearsarge Mountain Road ids closed for the season. Entailing an additional one mile walk and 500 feet of elevation gain to the normal parking area and trail heads. Was the first car at the gate.
The walk up the road was easy, and before long I was at the parking area/picnic area. Did a loop hike by heading up the 1.1 mile long Winslow Trail (Steeper route) to the summit. And then back down the 1.8 mile long Barlow Trail. Had the summit to myself, and spent nearly a half hour lounging up top with a light breeze, beautiful blue skies and moderate temperatures (high 30’s at 9:00am) just soaking in the views mentioned in the above Summit Post description. Passed lots of hikers heading up, as I was walking back down the closed access road. Counted a total of 14 cars parked at the gate when I got back.
Some photo highlights of the hike:
Winslow State Park trailhead
Early on the Winslow Trail
Higher up Winslow Trail gets slabby
View open up higher up the Winslow Trail
Whites off in the distance to the North
Kearsarge Summit
Kearsarge Summit
Zoomed in picture of Mount Washington off to the north
Rocks and Roots in the Barlow Trail
Sunday December 6, 2015
On Sunday morning I had some free time available to fit in a short hike prior to needing to be back in Manchester NH for a prior commitment at 2:00 pm. Decide to get an (6:30am) early start. For the approximately one hour drive up to Winslow State Park and hike Mount Kearsarge. Which would allow me plenty of time to get back without rushing my hike.
A description of Kearsarge (elev 2937) from Summit Post web Site:
(Mount Kearsarge is a dominant peak in central New Hampshire. While not high compared to the White Mountains further north, it has been for generations an attractive peak to hike. Though around 200 feet shorter then Mt. Manadnock and Mt. Cardigan, Mt. Kearsarge has many characteristics of the two. It has multiple trails (though not half the amount of the other two), major popularity and a bare summit (except for the fire tower and the cell phone tower). From the summit on a clear day lies a spectacular view of the White Mountains and Mt. Cardigan in the north, the Green Mountains and Mt. Sunapee in the west and the Monadnock Region and the Merrimack Valley in the south.)
After November 30th the main gate on the access road from Kearsarge Mountain Road ids closed for the season. Entailing an additional one mile walk and 500 feet of elevation gain to the normal parking area and trail heads. Was the first car at the gate.
The walk up the road was easy, and before long I was at the parking area/picnic area. Did a loop hike by heading up the 1.1 mile long Winslow Trail (Steeper route) to the summit. And then back down the 1.8 mile long Barlow Trail. Had the summit to myself, and spent nearly a half hour lounging up top with a light breeze, beautiful blue skies and moderate temperatures (high 30’s at 9:00am) just soaking in the views mentioned in the above Summit Post description. Passed lots of hikers heading up, as I was walking back down the closed access road. Counted a total of 14 cars parked at the gate when I got back.
Some photo highlights of the hike:
Winslow State Park trailhead
Early on the Winslow Trail
Higher up Winslow Trail gets slabby
View open up higher up the Winslow Trail
Whites off in the distance to the North
Kearsarge Summit
Kearsarge Summit
Zoomed in picture of Mount Washington off to the north
Rocks and Roots in the Barlow Trail