The Wildcats - September 22, 2025

The very dry stretch of weather continued, although it made for great September hiking and dry trails. Several of the OTHH took the ski trail up from the Wildcat ski area to the top of the summit lift. The view from there across Pinkham Notch to Mt Washington and much of the northern presidential range is always impressive. Then it was up steeply the short remainder of the climb to the Wildcat "D" peak, where the observation tower provides a boost above the treetops for more westward view. Below are Andy and Pat, posing for the blog picture (of course! - pic by Dick).

Then it was onward and northward, alternating downs and ups, over the "C" and "B" bumps along the Wildcat Ridge trail for almost two miles, taking us to the "A" peak. The view there provides a great look downward (steeply) at the Carter Notch AMC hut and across at Carter Dome, with the Carters beyond that. Following lunch, we retraced back to the top of the ski area, then down the Polecat Trail and the car.

Tuesday Sep 16, 2025 Lafayette Lincoln

On Tuesday, a group of 5 hiked a section of the Franconia Ridge (Deb, Jane, Mary, Patsy and Andy). The summits hit were Lafayette (5260) and Lincoln (5089). These are the 6th and 7th highest in the NH 48 4000 footers. The weather was superb, providing excellent views.

Below are pictures of the group enjoying the hike.

 On Sept 19, Monty and Ann of the Friday Walkers hiked around Knights Pond.  A lovely day!

B group hikes Mt. Cardigan, Sep 18th

 Terrific hike today up Mt. Cardigan.  The trail was quiet but the summit not as much.  We had taken the longer route, and avoided the MANY school children on a field trip that took the more direct route.  The summit was all a buzz, but thankfully the trail was a peaceful and beautiful route for just the two of us.  

Ginger & Pam at the summit.

First Round of the 48 4,000 footers completed.

 Brad & Katy completed their first round of the New Hampshire 48 4,000 footers on Sep 7, 2025 on Bondcliff.  They saved the best for last... Well done to the both of you.

 On Sept. 16, a group of Turtle hikers climbed Mt. Pemigewasset on a beautiful day!

Lacey, Anne, Mary, Lea  photographer:  Tracy

Tuesday Sep 9, 2025 Kinsmans

A group of 8 hikers climbed the Kinsmans on Tuesday. We all found the new trailhead on Rt 116, paid the $10/car by putting money in a provided envelope and dropping that into the box. The Mt Kinsman trail ascends to the Kinsman Ridge Trail about 0.3 miles north of the N Kinsman summit. We then follow the Kinsman Ridge Trail, which is also part of the Appalachian Trail, over N Kinsman (4293) and continue to S Kinsman (4358). There is a big cairn made into the shape of a chair at the summit of S Kinsman. The descent goes back down the same trails. Along the way down, many of the hikers visited Bald Peak, a newly added 52 WAV.

Below are Deb, Brenda, Pat, Patsy and Michele at the intersection of the N Kinsman and Kinsman Ridge Trails. Behind them are the Cannon Balls and Cannon. To the right, in the distance, is Lafayette and Lincoln. Picture by Andy.

Below are Deb, Brenda, Patsy and Pat at the S Kinsman cairn. Picture by Andy.

Below, Patsy is enjoying the chair at S Kinsman.

Below are Doug and Pam at the cairn/chair at S Kinsman.

Below is the whole group at the trail intersection that goes to Bald Peak. L to R: Andy, Pam, Doug, Deb, Patsy, Pat, Brenda and Michele.

The weather and the views were excellent!

 On Sept. 9, the Turtles hiked to the top of Bald Knob.  One group headed back down from there, while the other one continued on to the top of Turtleback.

Mary, Lea, Mary, Jorge, Lorraine, Karen, Nancy, Ann, Peter

 On Sept. 12, the Friday Walkers hiked the Dot Banks trail to Lost Pond.  Since we usually do this hike in June, we very much appreciated the lack of bugs in September!

Charlie, Kathie, Carrie, Jane, Gen, John, Monty;  photographer:  Ricky

Aug 28th, Zealand Bonds Traverse, and Dick's over 80 finish of the 48 4,000 footers!

 On a picture perfect day, at the wee hours of the morning a group make the infamous car spot at Lincoln Woods, and then head to Zealand trail to start the long, and jaw dropping traverse back to the car 21 miles away.  This day was special, as at the conclusion, Dick celebrated his completion of his 8th round, this one while over the age of 80!  An impressive accomplishment indeed!  Congratulations, Dick!

Dick and his son, David

                                Michele, Jane, Dick, Deb, Dave, and not shown is Andy.

 On Sept. 5, the Friday Walkers hiked most of the trails at Page Pond.

Gen, John, Charlie, Ricky, Peter, Jane, John, Nancy  Photographer:  Ann

B group hikes Mt. Parker, Sep 4th

These late summer days are best enjoyed hiking the mountains of New Hampshire!  Here's to a Fifty Cent day on Mt. Parker. 

Brad, Katy, Ginger, Katherine and Andrea

B group hikes Mt. Zealand, Aug 28th

The B group set out to do a 4k today.  We started at Zealand Trail, went up to the hut, then over to Zeacliff and finally to the summit.  Zeacliffs is an amazing view, and the whole hike is a wonderful journey through such varied woods, ponds, rocks, and paths.  It was a wonderful hike, coming in at around 11.6 miles.

Tracy, Mary, Barbara, Ken and Patsy

The view from Zeacliff

The summit of Zealand Mt.

Zealand AMC Hut

 On Sept. 2, a large group of Turtle hikers enjoyed our annual trip to the Flume Gorge, followed by lunch at Polly's Pancake Parlor.

John, Nancy, Jane, Ricky, Lorraine, Mary, Wendy, Lin, Ed, Karen, Jorge; photographer:  Ann

Annemarie and Bernie chose to hike Mt. Pemigewasset instead of the Flume: