Turtles hike to Red Hill, Aug 27th

GROUP PHOTO TIME!

Aug 28th, we gathered on the steps of Mead Base Conservation Center for a group photo and interview with editor, Erin Plumber, Meredith News.

Erin plans to print an article in the Meredith News, next week, September 5th, in celebration of our 40th year anniversary!

I hope to add her photo to our blog, so please check back.

Groups of hikers and walkers alike took advantage of the beautiful day and set out on a trail of their choice: Mt. Israel, Beede Falls, or along the Bear Camp River Trail.

The view from Israel

Hut Hike to Madison & Adams August 21 & 22

Severe thunderstorms all day!! Or so the forecast said. All of the weather forecast sites that hikers visit to check out the weather showed heavy rain for most of Wednesday with clearing Thursday morning. This caused many of the hikers to change their plans and not go hiking.

However, Larry and Doug decided to go and started at 7:30 from Appalachia. We arrived at Madison Hut around 10:30 to high overcast skies. All of the summits were clearly visible. After waiting a couple of hours to see how the weather would be, Larry and Doug then hiked the 0.5 mile trail to the summit of Mt Madison. The views were pretty good. We could see all of the Wildcats, Carters and Moriah to the east. The northern Presidentials and some of the southerns were visible. Many of the peaks to the west were visible so it was worth the effort. We descended back to the hut just as light rain started to fall around 2. The rain became heavier during the afternoon but ended by 7. It was surprising to see how many hikers went out into the rain to go on to their destination.

The hut was just about full that night and the food was okay. Doug really liked the chocolate chip cookies.

It was foggy Thursday morning but the forecast called for clearing by mid morning. The forecast was correct this time as the fog lifted by 9. Pam hiked up Thursday morning from Appalachia so she could get in Madison before we all headed to Adams. Views, again, were terrific. As we were headed down, it did rain for about 30 minutes.

This was a good warm up for the Bonds hike next week.

Below are Doug and Larry at the Madison Spring Hut on Wednesday.

We are happy because it is raining outside and we are inside.

Below is a view toward the John Quincy Adams summit from the hut. The highest Adams summit is behind this.

Below is Larry on the summit of Adams with Washington in the background.

Below are Doug and Pam on the summit of Adams.

Turtles hike Whiteface and Piper (in the Belknaps), Aug 20th, 2019

Eleven hikers enjoyed a perfect day for a hike!  Special thanks to Betty for assisting a fellow hiker!

Mt Carrigain - August 20, 2019

Seven of the A group hiked up Mt Carrigain on a sunny, dry, 70s kind of day. Pictured atop the observation tower are Larry, Dick, Phil, Ann, Pam, Doug, and Tom.

B group hikes Hedgehog, Aug 15th

Today was a beautiful hike up Hedgehog.  The signs mislead us to follow the xc country ski trails way too long.  A few doubters tried to convince the other half of the group, but we all came to the realization of the mistake soon enough.  Thankfully the great views compensated for the mis guidance.  It was a wonderful hike with varied terrain.

"A" Hike August 14/15 Lafayette & Lincoln

On Wednesday, three of the “A” hikers climbed Lafayette, Lincoln, and Little Haystack. It was a

beautiful day with temps in the 70’s and a light breeze and low humidity. We ascended Lafayette first and then traversed over the Franconia Ridge Trail to Lincoln and Little Haystack and then descended Falling Waters Trail that went by some beautiful waterfalls.

The views were jaw dropping throughout the hike and especially on Franconia Ridge. There was a lot

of traffic throughout the hike, but, because everyone was very friendly, it did not detract from the hike.

Because Franconia Ridge is on the AT we came across many through hikers. We chatted with one

couple who started the hike back in April and they had another 400 or so miles left. They did not look like they had been hiking for 4 months. They did say that the White Mountains have been the most difficult so far in their trek.

It was a great day for all. We are so lucky to have all these many mountains in our backyard to play in.

Several of the OTHH did the Lafayette/Lincoln/Little Haystack loop on the Franconia Ridge, on a great weather day. Evidently many others thought so, too, as there were a great many on the trail and summits. Below are Dick, Ginger, and Pamela atop Lincoln.

Well down the Falling Waters trail, there are several very nice waterfalls, like the one shown below.

Larry and Doug hiked the same route on Thursday August 15. The weather and views were great. You can see so much of the Whites while hiking along the ridge. We noted: Starr King, Waumbek, Adams, Jefferson, Clay, Washington, Monroe, most of the southern Presidentials but the clouds were casting shadows on the peaks so it was difficult to pick them out, Field, Willey, Kearsarge North, the Twins, Galehead, Guyot, West Bond, Bond, Bondcliff, Owl's Head, Carrigain, Garfield, Liberty, Flume, Cannon, the Kinsmans, Moosilauke, the Osceolas, Tecumseh, the Tripyramids, Passaconaway and Chocorua. As usual, we could see Killington, Pico, Camel's Hump and Mansfield in Vermont.