A walk in the wilderness, Pemigewasset Wilderness

Sunday we took to the wilderness. We didn’t quite make our destination of Owl’s Head but the journey was filled with rivers, rocks, roots and beauty.

Must be winter. The Lincoln Woods Parking Lot is normally overflowing.
Into the Pemigewasset Wilderness we go.
Next time we will try this trail up to Flume.
Another bridge, another river crossing.
Side trip on Black Pond Trail to Black Pond. I loved the colors and the big roots.
As we got off the Lincoln Woods Trail and onto Lincoln Brook Trail we saw more snow.
The beavers on the Franconia Brook Trail have been busy.

Mount Waumbek, Number 46

Mount Waumbec

Our hike on the Starr King trail began around 8am since we stayed in Gorham for the night. The wind was howling and it was only 25 degrees.

Starr King Trail start.

The trail meandered through the forest and since all the leaves were off the trees (and covering the trail) the views were nice except but hiking was difficult since the rocks were covered.

Starr King Trail
The forest at the start of the hike on the Starr King Trail.

It was a steady incline and after hiking Cabot yesterday my quads felt it.

As we got closer to the the summit of Starr King I had to put on my wind breaker and my face was cold from the wind and cold temperatures. I wanted to get there as fast as I could because I was getting nervous about the wind.

On the outlook about a mile before the summit.

We got to the top of Starr King with cool views and the Jay birds flying around.

At the top of Mount Starr King Oct 21, 2018

We saw a few people and decided to run to the top of Waumbek to just get it done and be out of the cold. The ridge run to the top was an amazing forest and a lot of mud!

Mount Waumbec Oct 21 2018
The trail sign at the top of Waumbec. Winnie made it too. 4,000 foooter number 3 for her.

We made it and hiked/ran most of the way back to the car.

North Twin hike during peak foliage in NH

North Twin October 2018

Saturday’s hike was epic. North Twin 4,761, 8.6 miles round trip during peak New Hampshire foliage.

North Twin from the outlook selfie.

4,000 footer #2 for Winnie and #43 for me!

We had to cross the Little River six times.

The Little River

After slipping on a rock half way through the first crossing I decided for safety I would just walk through the water and not worry about rock hopping. My Injinji socks and Pearl Izumi trail shoes quickly dried enough to not give me blisters.

The fall foliage was beautiful and the lighting just right:

Peak foliage in NH on the North Twin trail.

We saw a few dogs and about 20 people total which isn’t much considering the drive past Lafayette trailhead with cars parked for miles on I-93. I can’t image hiking Lafayette with all those people. One family hiked North Twin with children who looked 5-years-old – amazing! So many smaller groups that loved Winnie and petted her.

Winnie at the top of North Twin on October 6, 2108
North Twin trail sign
Top of the mountain. We took the outlook trail to see the view.

She’s getting less scared of people on the trail which is nice.

A great day to be on the trail. I had great conversations with hikers about hiking the 4,000 footers and other trails.

The view of the trail while almost to the summit.

Then after driving home I met my mom to see to movie, A Star is Born.

Saturday Hike, Run, Walk (for a cause) Plan for Sunday

Saturday dawned with a big list of things to do (all accomplished by the way). I need the list to get things done. I’ve learned that when I have a list when I go to bed the night before everything gets done.

  1. Hike with Winnie
  2. 4 Mile run (because it was the plan)
  3. Out of the Darkness Benefit Walk with Jeff & Winnie
  4. Lunch with Mom & Dad (we love the Common Man)
  5. Plan for Sunday’s hike
  6. Work outing at Mel’s
    I’m pooped and reading to head north tomorrow for a great hike in finally cool temps. High for tomorrow: 65!

Dog Hike to South Hancock

Winnie did great on the hike to South Hancock. There were several stream crossing and a few times she had to lay in the river to cool down. The trail was magnificent and a nice hike until the last mile to South Hancock when it was a good climb.

The first stream crossing. It was a nice leisurely hike for the first 2 miles and we took a lot of water breaks.
So many rocks and streams. The hike was awesome.
The start of the trail from the Kancamagus Highway.