Mt Israel - May 5, 2026

 We had a somewhat warm, but clear and sunny day for  another hike up Mt Israel. Turnout for this one was again higher than usual, and there were ten of us setting out. We went past the first viewpoint, and higher up was the open ledge area with the nice view northward toward the Sandwich Range. That point often is mistaken for the top, but for that we kept going another ten easy minutes to the actual summit. Still, we kept on for perhaps another 100 yards to another open ledge area, this one having a view not only of the Sandwich Range but also of the Paugus Range, with Mt Chocorua at its end. The photo below was taken at that point. Left to right are Mary, Michele, Barbara, Dick, Andrea, Richard, and Pat.

 

Mt Pemigewasset - April 28, 2026

 The A group hike season got underway with a fairly easy walk up Mt Pemigewasset, at the southern end of Franconia Notch. There were quite a few of on the hike (15), many more than is typical. We took two trails up (Mt Pemigewasset, Indian Head), coming together at the open ledges up top. Weather was ideal - full sun, cool and dry air mass, and no black flies yet!

Below, at the summit ledges, are (L-R) Dick, Brenda, Donna, Mary, Mike, Katherine, Larry, Marie, Pam, Deb, Andy, Carol, Pat, and Richard.

 

2026 Soup and Snowshoe fun!

 We've been having a really good time with all this gorgeous snow this year.  And should I tell you how delicious the soups, cookies and bread have been?  I don't know which is better the snow, or the food!?

We have enjoyed snowshoeing up in Sugar Hill, and have had three different outings in and around Sandwich.  We have so many beautiful areas to explore, and we're so lucky to have access to private trails that landowners create, as well as conserved land.  Here are some random photos from over the past few weeks.  We look forward to next Friday's soup and snowshoe, and are so grateful to each host and co-host for keeping the tradition going.

November 11, 2025 - Mt Shaw

It was a very chilly and windy day, with a few very light snow showers thrown in, for a walk up Mt Shaw, in the Ossipee range. This is a 52WAV "peak," but there wasn't much view up top. Still, it's nice to get out on the trails. There had been snow showers in the wee hours before, as a cold front came through at the end of some rain, leaving a light dusting on the ground. There wasn't  really enough of that slippery stuff to warrant the use of traction, just a bit more care in foot placement. The wet leaves were more the problem, I think. At the top, we took the usual selfie; in front are Bernie, Carol, and Chrissy, and in back are Dick, Marie, and Steph.

 

November 4, 2025 - Mt Paugus

We're into November now, and the 4K peaks are getting messy up high. This is a good time for revisiting the lower peaks, without "peak bagging," just having a nice mid-late fall day outing. So, five of us OTHH hiked up Mt Paugus, in the Sandwich Wilderness. A cold front, with some rain, had swept through overnight, and until the drier air on strong winds cleared things out, we found ourselves in a very light fall of sleet, which whitened up the sides of the trail and hung on the low growth nearby. At the outlook ledges just west of the summit signpost, the skies cleared out to give us a very nice view westward at Whiteface and Passaconaway, with some snow accumulations at their peaks. Below, at that view ledge, are Andy, Wharton, Deb, Dick, and Jane, pic courtesy of the sole other hiker we encountered on the trail the whole day.

 

October 28 - Mt Jackson

 Six of us OTHH had a nice fall day for a hike up Mt Jackson, southernmost of the presidential 4K. The lower half of the trail was bare ground. Below, at the junction with the trail to Mt Webster, are Pat, Andy, Deb, Ginger, and Marie.

As we got higher we ran into the first of increasing snow accumulation. By the time we were a bit below the top, the scenery was decidedly wintry, with fresh snow heavy on the trees, but with cloudless blue sky overhead.

 

Scrambling our way up over the snowy, steep ledges near the top was very slow going and a bit intimidating. The views from the top were well worth the effort. Below are Pat, Ginger, Deb, Marie, and Dick (pic by Andy).

 

 On Oct. 28, the Turtles hiked Cardigan Mountain.  Tracy, Lorraine, Mary M, Charlotte, Karen, Mary M, and Brian enjoyed a beautiful day, and a great way to end our season.