B group hikes the Rattlesnakes, May 30th

The first organized "B" hike of our 2019 hiking season was the never disappointing East & West Rattlesnakes.  What a lovely warm up for us to get the dust kicked off our boots. 

8 Hikers:  Tracy, Betsy, Shirley, Dee, Mary, Cheryl, John, and Christine (this week's organizer / leader).

"A" Hike May 29 Mt Tecumseh

Bob, Pam and Doug hiked Mt Tecumseh on Wednesday. The rain on Tuesday forced the cancellation of the normally scheduled hike but a few were able to make it on Wednesday. The trail was wet in places and there still some remnants of snow and ice on the trail. We saw white trillium flowers that were still in the white phase and others that had already gone into the purple phase. We also saw a moose not far from the trail. It was quite cloudy at the summit so you'll have to image the Tripyramids in the background. Dick soloed on Friday, by the same route (from Tripoli Rd), in better weather.

The hike on Tue June 4 will be Cabot.

"A" Hike May 21 Hedgehog & Potash

This was a two-hike outing from the Kancamagus Highway, on a cool, very windy day. The morning hike took a loop route to the top of Hedgehog. Pictured above are Frank, Susan, Doug, Pete, Ginger, and John (pic by Dick), with the "back" (north) side of Passaconaway soaring a lot higher in the background.

After returning to the cars and eating lunch, four of us hiked up Potash. We started a half mile up the road from the parking area where the Hedgehog and Potash trailheads are, in order to use a logging road to bypass the Downes Brook. We had gone to that crossing and found no easy way to rock-hop, due to high water flow, so we went back to the car and drove up to the alternate starting point. Pictured above are Ginger, Doug, and John (pic by Dick). Residual moisture from the front that passed through produced considerable cloudiness and sprinkles, limiting the view.

Southern Belknaps - May 13, 2019

The A group went to the southern Belknaps for another early season hike. The route took in Mts Major, South Straightback, and North Straightback. Above are Frank, Ginger, Pam, Doug, and John, with Lake Winnipesaukee in the near background and the White Mountains beyond that. Pic by Dick.

"A" Warmup Hike May 8 Mt Roberts

 

 Six of the A Group hikers kicked off the 2019 season with a "warmup" hike to Mt Roberts. The descent was via the more lengthy but easy route over the High Ridge, Faraway Mtn, and Cold Spring Trails. Above are Pam, Ginger, Marie, Pete, and Deb. Pic by Dick. Off in the distance to Pam's left is Mt Washington, with a lot of snow remaining.

2019 Hiking Schedules are complete!

Hello everyone!  The 2019 Hiking schedules for all levels of hiking are complete, and can be accessed through the above pages.  

Please click on the desired level of hiking tab at the top of the blog and then click on the link to the hiking schedule.  

If you have any difficulties, please shoot me an email at OTHHweb@gmail.com, and I'd be happy to help.  

I look forward to seeing you out on the trail... and don't forget about our upcoming potluck on May 14th!  A sign up sheet is available at: Potluck Sign up Sheet.  It's best accessed through a computer, not an iPad or phone.  



"A" Hike Planning Session

About a dozen hikers attended the planning session Tuesday evening to map out the hiking schedule for the next three months. It was great to see so many hikers there, including some who hadn't been with the group before. The schedule has been included on the OTHH blog so please click the "A" hike link to see it.

Clockwise from lower left: Sharon, Kathie, John, Griff, Doug, Cathy, Ginger, Bert, Dick, Marie, Tracy, Frank, Deb.

SAVE THE DATE(S)

Hello Over the Hill Hikers, 

Please save the date for our upcoming Spring Potluck, May 14th, at the Doris Benz Center, 18 Heard Rd, Center Sandwich, NH 03227.  

Please arrive at 11:30, with lunch being at noon.  This is a potluck, so please bring your favorite dish to share and a hearty appetite, as the food is always outstanding.  

A sign up sheet is available at: Potluck Sign up Sheet.  It's best accessed through a computer, not an iPad or phone.  If you have any difficulties, feel free to email me, and I can add your dish to share.  

In addition, we have two upcoming dates to volunteer for light trail maintenance.  Please save the dates of June 8th, and June 22nd.  More information to follow.  This light trail maintenance is performed along the Bear Camp River Trail, a 17 mile trail that meanders through private property throughout Sandwich.  It's a lovely trail with waterfalls, and rolling terrain.  I hope you can join the Sandwich Conservation Commission on at least one of these dates, if not both!  

Looking forward to our season's hiking schedules and getting them published to our blog.  As of now they are not available, but we hope to have them available prior to the potluck.  Stay tuned for more.

Happy Spring & Mud Season, and of course ... get your bug nets ready!  

And lastly, it is a great time to put together a current first aid kit for your hiking pack as well as update your Emergency Contact Sheet.  Chances are your Advil is expired, and you might not be able to read which tablet is Benadryl or your emergency contact phone number.  

Looking forward to another great year ahead!

Sincerely,

Tracy Ripkey