Wildcats - June 23, 2021

 We welcomed Wharton on his first hike with the OTHH! He recently moved to Sandwich and looks forward to hiking in the White Mountains.

The "A" hike was to Wildcat D and Wildcat A. We started from the base of the Wildcat Ski Area and ascended using the Polecat ski trail. The summit of Wildcat D has a viewing platform which provides excellent views of the northern Presidentials. We continued along the Wildcat Ridge Trail to Wildcat A where the views are to the north (Carter Dome, Carters, Moriah) and east (Baldfaces). The weather was great and the views were superb. The group included Ann G., Laura B., Marie P., Pam A., Dick R., Doug W., Larry M. and Wharton S. We met 3 teachers who were all so happy that the school year had finished.

Below is Wharton on the summit of Wildcat D with Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines in the background.

Below are Marie and Larry on the summit of Wildcat D.

Below are Ann, Doug, Pam, Laura and Marie on the summit of Wildcat D with the northern Presidentials in the background. The clouds cleared a bit for the afternoon.

If the weather cooperates, the hike for the week of June 28th will be the Carters.

 On June 22, the Turtles hiked the Lincoln Woods trail to Franconia Falls.  It rained a bit, but was still a great hike.

Left to right:  Peter, Cindy, Ray, Lea, Jorge, Mary, John, Jane, Ricky

Photographer:  Sally

Trail Maintenance Day

 JULY 14^th IS BEARCAMP  RIVER  TRAIL DAY!

 

 The Bearcamp River is a beautiful, prime natural resource for this area.  In 1993, the Over the Hills Hikers established the Bearcamp River Trail, a pristine, well-marked trail that winds along the river from Sandwich Park to Tamworth over private land. The Sandwich Conservation Commission supervises the trail.

 

July 14^th 2021 will be TRAIL MAINTENANCE DAY for the Bearcamp River Trail. Hikers are invited to come at ten AM to 33 Top of the World Road, Center Sandwich, the home of Jean and Richard Knox. Bring gloves, garden clippers and loppers and work with a partner to “brush” a section of the trail of encroaching vegetation and small tree limbs. Identify any blowdowns over the trail; volunteers wielding chainsaws will deal with those later.

 

Bring a sandwich and stay for lunch afterwards! Bearcamp River Trail Day is a fun tradition, which couldn’t take place last year because of Covid19.

 

THANK YOU!  RSVP: Jean Knox,  617-780-2391 OR  jeanmknox@gmail.com

WEATHER DATE: JULY 21ST

 Eight Friday Walkers enjoyed a mosey around Geneva Point on Friday, June 18, and took in some beautiful views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the surrounding mountains.

From L to R: Tracy, Jorge, Barbara, Mary, Trish, Lee and Ray.  Photo by Christine

Tom, Field, Willey - June 16, 2021

 Four of us did the Willey Range on a notably cool, breezy, and dry day. From the train station at the top of Crawford Notch we went up the Avalon and A-Z trails to the col just below Mt Tom. Going up the rest of the way we met Darrell and Ken coming down; they had started earlier. After a photo at the summit cairn (Tracy's #40 - "Pic or it didn't happen"!), it was back down to the col, then along the Willey Range Trail over to the top of Field (#41). Field is treed in, but perhaps 50 ft off to the side there is a decent outlook, with a view back toward Tom and down at the Mt Washington Hotel area. After having lunch, it was on down the ridge and up to the top of Willey. Again, the very top of Willey has no view, but just below the top is that great lunch/snack spot with the stunning view down Crawford Notch, and across the way at the rugged Webster Cliff, with the southern presidentials beyond. Below are Dick, Ginger, Marie, and Tracy, with that fabulous view of the cliff in the background. That made it #42 for Tracy! Then it was on down southward, eventually picking up the Ethan Pond Trail for the last segment to a car left earlier in the day.

 The Turtles hiked the Butterworth Trail to East Rattlesnake on June 15.

Peter, Betsy, Tracy, Mary, Lea, Jorge, and Deb

Hancocks - June 10, 2021

 Dick and Larry did the Hancocks, going in the Hancock Notch, Cedar Brook, and Hancock Loop trails. The day was great for summer hiking, with dry air, light air moving at times, and clear skies. We went clockwise, ascending the steep trail up to the north peak first. After a quick lunch at the outlook there, we made our way over the ridge to the south peak, with its own outlook and different views. Below is Larry at the first trail junction.

B Hike up Mt. Crawford

A group of six B hikers, led by Griff, enjoyed nearly perfect weather today on Mt. Crawford. One of the 52WAV, Mt. Crawford made us earn our views with some steady steep sections.  Incredible vistas in every direction at the top, where we joined by two A hikers, Doug and Pam, who had done the longer trek over Stairs and Resolution.

Mt. Washington down there at the very far end of the Davis Path with a bit of snow.

Griff, our fearless hike leader,  showing off...

Enjoying lunch at the summit. From left: Griff, Kit, Mary, Pam, Alison. Photo by Cathy

Pam taking in the view of Crawford Notch 

Snack break on the way up

Griff and Cathy

2021 Spring picnic, June 9th

We had a wonderful turnout for the Over the Hill Hikers "bring your own picnic" and start to the 42nd season.  Ken MacGray was our guest speaker, who offered a book signing and sales.  

We had much to celebrate, including just gathering together after a year of COVID.  It was so nice to see us all, mask free and enjoy a warm day relatively "bug free".  

Thank you to the Sandwich Fairgrounds for allowing us to use the newly built pavilion.  It's such a great addition to the community.  

Turtles Hike, June 8, to Smart Brook in Campton

A great choice for a hot and humid day!

John, Shirley, Jane, Ruth, Sally, Ricky, Lea, Ray, Peter

Turtles first hike, June 1

 

First hike of the season to Fogg Hill in Center Harbor.  

From left to right:  John, Ricky, Peter, Lea, Deb, Tracy

B group hike, June 2nd

Today the B group set out on a Wednesday, not our typical hike day, but we wanted to beat the chance of rain tomorrow.  We accomplished Starr King, a 52 With a View, and went on to get Waumbek one of the lower 48 4,000 footers.  It was a blue bird day!  Views everywhere including the drive up to Jefferson, which appeared to be a beautiful town.  I love how hiking the 52 With a View takes you to areas you likely may not venture..... Well, I would have, because I'm working on both of my 48 and 52... today was #39 of the 48 and #28 for my 52.          ~Tracy

L to R: Tracy, Ginger, Barbara and Kathryn

 

Mt Moriah - June 1, 2021

 After a wet weekend, skies cleared in time for a nice hike up the Carter-Moriah trail to the top of Moriah (4049'). Dick and Darrell were on this one; Doug and Pam came from behind, arriving up top a few minutes later. Up top the temperature was low 50s, with a breeze, but hey - no bugs there! Below is Darrell, with Washington and the northern presidentials across Pinkham Notch, with some snow patches still visible.