Climbers Like Hiking Too- Mt. Field, Mt. Tom, Mt. Willey

Date: Aug 3^rd, 2013

Viewpoint close to the top of Mt. Willey

Mountain Height: Field- 4340ft, Tom- 4051ft, Willey- 4285ft     

Elevation Gain: 3,400ft

Trail: Avalon, A-Z, Mt Tom Spur, Willey Range Trail, Kendron Flume Trail

Total Distance: 10miles

Total Time: 5.5 hours

It’s always going to be a good hike when you pull together a bunch of cheerful climbers with endless amounts of energy.  We started the trek to our 4^th, 5^th and 6^th peaks later in the morning of a partly cloudy, brisk August day.  We had two cars, so we left one at the Willey House and began on the Avalon Trail from Crawford Notch.  Seeing everyone was in stellar condition, we set a grueling pace that kept me out of breath and sweating in the cooler than expected air.  The ascent up the Avalon Trail to A-Z was another quad killer, but everyone’s incessant optimism made the time fly.  We jumped on the Mt. Tom spur trail to the tree-covered peak.  With the exception of a low hanging cloud layer, we had great views from an overlook.  While admiring the views, we were visited by a bold bird that more than happy to eat peanuts out of our hands… literally sat on our hands and ate.  From the Peak of Mt. Tom, we hoped onto the Willey Range Trail that took us on a casual 1 mile stroll to Mt. Field.  Yet another tree covered peak, we didn’t spend much time before heading onto Mt. Willey on the same path.  Mt. Willey had wonderful views at overlooks on either side.  By then, the sun was poking through the clouds and we stopped for a good rest and chat with a nice couple at the view spot looking towards the Bond Ridge.  Even better was the view on the East side of the peak that gazed out over the Presidential Range.  We descended from the peaks following the Willey Range Trail to the Kedron Flume Trail.  Seeing the trail was pretty easy going, Perry, one of his friends and I stretched out our legs with a little bit of trail running on the way down.  We stopped for another great overlook at one of the falls (maybe Ripley Falls?) and made it down the mountains just in time for dinner.         

Drop the skis and pick up the boots- Mt. Wildcat, A and D

Looking over our shoulders  

Date: June 9^th, 2013

Mountain Height: Wildcat- 4422ft, Wildcat D- 4070ft

Elevation Gain: 287ft

Trail: Wildcat Ridge Trail

Total Distance: 8.4miles

Total Time: 6ish hours

Ski it in the winter, climb it in the summer.  The beauty of Wildcat is in the intense climb that seems to trek nowhere near the ski runs.  As a last minute adventure, we decided to tackle peaks A through D in about six hours.  
The trail begins from the Glen Ellis parking lot across Route 16 from Wildcat.  It tunnels under the road and across a wide river, where my nerves faltered while making an attempt at rock hopping mildly wet boulders.  The climb began almost immediately afterwards.  

Top of Wildcat A

Top of Wildcat D!

All I can say is quads and calves.  I think mine wanted to tie up into little knots during the first two miles of sheer elevation gain.  During this brutal natural stair stepper machine, we would take peaks over our shoulders at the magnificent Mt. Washington with stellar views of both Tuck’s and Huntington’s. I think the funniest part of the trail was coming out to the top of Wildcat ski area, where people were casually riding the gondola up for their version of scenic views.  I bet their quads weren’t even slightly protesting.  A slight 0.2 mile jaunt past the gondola is the peak of Wildcat A.  We briefly stopped on top of an awesome wooden platform that boosted you above tree line for a great view of Washington, than heading on a 1.8mile “roller coaster” trail run to Wildcat D.  A mildly anticlimactic peak seeing we found the tallest point by following fellow hikers’ bushwhacked trail to a small rock placed in honor of a geodetic marker.  

However, slightly past the peak is a wonderful view of Carter Dome and Carter Notch Hut.  Although a beautiful hike, with great view points along the way, we did have to retrace our steps back to car for the shortest distance. 

Viewpoint near the top of Wildcat D

Start Small- Mt. Tecumseh

Start of the trek

Date: June 7th, 2013 

Mountain Height: 4003ft 
Elevation Gain: 1739ft 
Trail(s): Mt. Tecumseh Trail 
Total Distance: 5.2miles 
Total Time: 2 hours

Strapping on new hiking boots is like taking a headlong dive in the frigid Gulf of Maine on a hot summer day – you can’t wait for the refreshing feeling, but the apprehension of the uncomfortable pinch gives you butterflies. In an attempt to break in my boots easy, as well as give my newly local boyfriend a taste of New Hampshire 4000 footer wilderness, we decided on an easy trek up Mt. Tecumseh. Ranking in as the smallest of the NH 4000 footers, it’s a short 4003ft with a lazy 2200ft ascent. 

View point along the way

Driving up the Whites, our anticipation was building and we were pumped for our first summer hike. The steady rain, swift breeze and fog failed to apprehend us. We pulled into the Waterville Valley Ski Area parking lot and donned our raincoats with excitement. Perry strapped on a light pack with water, warm clothes and snacks and, with a bounce in our step, we heading to the Mt. Tecumseh Trail trailhead. We decided that because we were starting at 2pm, we’d take the shortest route to the top, which skirts the ski area with a few view points. The trail was a steady 2.5miles, and both of us trekked up with ease. Our viewpoints were moot, but the newly budding greenery and “fairy forest” we hiked through were spectacular. As expected, the top was shrouded with tree cover and, at the few viewpoints, we were blasted with a chilling wind. Our stay at the summit lasted about 1.5 minutes and we skedaddled down the same trail to the car. 

Our "geodetic photo"

Made it to the top!