B group hike, Sep 24th, Mt. Chocorua

Great day for B group hiking Chocorua. Group picture L to R: Brenda, Sarah, Karen, Ginger, Michele, Barbara and Mary.

Lincoln & Lafayette - September 22, 2026

We had an absolutely perfect early fall weather day for this epic hike up to and along the Franconia Ridge, with it's famous unmatched and unending views. The start was quite cool, but with barely any breeze, and the air mass was clear and dry. Twelve of us (yikes!) started up the Falling Waters Trail, for a counter-clockwise loop, while later another four started up the Greenleaf Trail, going clockwise. This hike was a large draw, partly for its being such a favorite, and partly for the celebration to come afterward (read on!).

After three hours of  steady elevation gain (3000 ft), we came out of the trees onto Little Haystack. This peak, at 4,760 ft elevation, doesn't even count on the 48 4K list, for lack of 200 ft of "prominence" above the ridge connecting it to Mt Lincoln (5089 ft) just to the north. Here we began a ridge hike of over two miles above treeline. The views to the west are down to the highway up through the notch, across to Lonesome Lake (which can't be seen from the highway) and the two Kinsmans, plus Cannon Mountain, with its own famous cliff. The view to the south takes in Mts Liberty and Flume, and beyond that to the top of the Loon Mtn ski area. To the east is the Pemigewasset Wilderness, which can't be seen from any highway. In that eastward foreground is the long Owls Head ridge, and beyond it the three Bonds. Far away Mt Washington is quite visible. At the north end of the wilderness is Mt Garfield, where we had been just two weeks ago (in the clouds). Then, straight north, is the Franconia Ridge itself, with the trail quite visible over the rocks.

Hiking that 1.7 miles of ridge took us over Mt Lincoln, Mt Truman (many don't realize that bump has a name!), and finally to Mt Lafayette (5260 ft). Reaching this peak marked the end of an impressive milestone for two of our OTHH crew. Marie completed her "over 75" round of the 48 4K, and Pat completed her "over 80" round! Below are Marie and Pat, at the summit, and then we have the twelve of us in the "counter-clockwise group." From the left, we see Brenda, Leanne, Michele, Marie, Becky, Jonathan, Ginger, Deb, Andy, Jane, Dick, and Pat. Not shown are Doug, Pam, Chris, and Steve, who had crossed paths with our group along the ridge, then rejoined us later at the cars for the party.

 

 

After three hours of descent, we all were ready to be done, and ready to party, with cake, brownies, cookies, and bubbly! It was a notable celebration of what Marie and Pat had finished.

Doing the clockwise traverse, starting from the base of Cannon and using the Greenleaf Trail to ascend to the Lafayette summit were Pam, Chris, Doug, and Steve. Below are Pam and Doug approaching the summit of Lincoln.

Below are Chris, Doug, Steve, and Pam on the summit of Lincoln with the summit of Lafayette in the background.

For many years, we have ignored the 0.1 mile spur on the Falling Waters Trail that goes to Shining Rock. Today, we decided to go there and see what it's all about. We were impressed. It is a giant open faced (wet) slab. We decided to not try and climb it.

 On Sept. 22, the Turtles had a choice of two different hikes.  One group hiked Whiteface in Wolfeboro (or perhaps Ossipee?).

Lea and John; photographer: Ricky

The other group hiked Mt. Cube.

Irena, Karen, Tracy

 The Friday Walkers had a two-part hike on Sept. 19.  The first part was a hike to Rainbow Falls; thanks to the recent rain, there was water in the waterfall!

Lea, Chris, John, Gen, Ricky, Ann, Irena, Jane, Alan  photographer:  Laura

The second part of the day was at Quincy Bog, where Reed and Jennifer Harrigan gave us a guided tour around the bog, including stops to examine mushrooms and eat Indian Cucumber.  

Monty, Reed, Jennifer, John, Gen, Jane, Irena, Ricky, Lea, Alan, Chris, Ann    Photographer:  Laura

Monroe, Washington - September 15, 2026

We couldn't have had a better hiking day, a real gem for mid-September, without the summit fog and dampness a day on either side, for this grueling 10-hour, 10+ mile hike to bag Monroe and Washington. The route took us up the new relocated section of the lower part of the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, to the "Gem Pool", then steeply up and out of the woods into the alpine zone and finally to the Lakes of the Clouds hut. Most of us dropped our packs at the hut for the quick 20-minute hike up to Monroe. Below, after the return to the hut, are Steve, Marie, Deb, Andy, Dick, Chris, and Pam. Not in the photo are Pat, Michele, and Charlie.

After the 1.5 mile, 1300 ft hike from the hut to the Washington summit, we had more lunch at the summit building. Then it was time for the long five-mile descent. A short distance north on the Crawford path took us to a crossing of the Cog Railway track. Here, at the track, are Dick, Charlie, Marie, Michele, Pat, and Deb (pic by Andy). Pam, Chris, and Steve had moved on ahead, to go over Mt Clay, over to Mt Jefferson, and down by a different route. That peak above Dick in the photo is Mt Jefferson, and to the right is Mt Sam Adams, a bump on the shoulder of Mt Adams just off the right edge of the photo.

B group hike, Sep 10th, Mt. Cardigan

 Only two of us (Mary and Ginger) hiked Mt Cardigan on 9/10. It had rained hard overnight so there were sections with rushing water and several wet, steep scrambles. By the time we reached the top the 30 mph winds had dried the open ledges. It was a lovely day and hike!

Garfield 4500' - September 8, 2026

Although the weather wasn’t perfect, we didn’t get rained on and we had another large group of 11 hikers! More importantly, we celebrated Jonathan and Becky completing their first round of the NH 48 4,000 footers! Congratulations!!

The group hiked Mt. Garfield using the Garfield Trail and a little bit of the Garfield Ridge Trail. Chris ascended using the Skookumchuck and Garfield Ridge Trails.

We had a wonderful celebration at the bottom of the trail with champagne, brownies and wonderful homemade cake! And Larry joined us to celebrate, too!

Below are Becky, Jonathan, Pam, Deb, Jane, Chas, Doug, Chris, Andy and Dick. No views but lots of smiling faces (even Dick!)!

Congratulations Jonathan and Becky!

The party begins!

Andy and Deb celebrated completing their second round, too!