Mt Katherine

My parents were getting caught up in the energy that hiking had created in our family! It was a brisk Fall day, but we decided to take a short hike together. My parents are 72 and 67 and it was their first real hike in a very long time. We decided on Mt Katherine in Sandwich. Short and sweet, only about 2.2 miles plus a 0.5 mile road walk from the parking area (each way). There were a lot of fallen leaves on the trail, but we took it slow and had no issues. I would say this isn't a very popular summit, especially considering the parking is primarily used for Whiteface and Passconaway, but we enjoyed our afternoon all the same topped off with some silly selfies at the summit. I am thrilled that my kids get to create some wonderful memories with their grandparents.

Gunstock Mountain

I am obsessed with checking items off a list.. and if there's a patch involved. Bonus. Another gorgeous Fall day, the family and I headed back to the Belknap Range to tackle Gunstock Mountain. We parked at the gate on Carriage Road and headed up Gunstock Mountain Trail. It may only be 1.1 miles to the summit, but it packs quite a punch in terms of ascent. I mean, nothing crazy, but that 1.1 miles is pretty much up. You get your money's worth for such a short little hike. Rewards abound at the top however with incredible views over Lake Winnipesaukee and across to the Ossipee Range. Being such a beautiful day, there were quite a few people out and about, but most had taken the chairlift up rather than the old fashioned way. Our snack today was on the deck of the Panorama Pub (which was closed for the season) while soaking in Nature's glory.

 

Looking over to Belknap where we had been a few weeks ago

Oak Hill

A beautiful Fall day calls for a hike somewhere. Fact. This day led the boys and I to Concord, NH and Oak Hill fire tower. It was a gorgeous sunny day. We parked at the Shaker Road parking area. Headed up the Tower Trail. By the time we hit the power lines section it started to feel a bit neverending. I let the boys scamper one power pole at a time. We made it and headed over to climb the tower. There were hornets and wasps everywhere which made us a bit anxious.. but the views were up the tower, so we made a mad dash for the stairs and up. After a quick snack at the picnic table, we headed back down, this time taking the Tower Trail to Krupa Loop and seeing the views at Swope Slope Vista. Dancing Bear Trail back to the Tower Trail and the car.

Teneriffe Mountain

So Teneriffe Mountain had eluded me the first time I had attempted it.. which is pretty silly considering it's a 1080ft peak. I followed the directions I had read about online, found the kiosk, signed the register.. walked the trails.. only to discover it was a small network of trails across the street from the actual summit. I was with the kids, they weren't interested in pursuing the actual summit, so I called it a day and put it on the to-do list.

Fast forward a couple of weeks, and my husband and I headed out to check this one off my list. We parked in the same spot and headed down the driveway I had read about. Just before reaching the private residence we found the very faint herd path that leads about 5 minutes up to the summit. Not much to see, and no artifacts left standing from the fire tower, but we went.. we saw.. we left.

 

Mt Kearsarge

Enjoying a nice afternoon we headed over to Mt Kearsage and headed for the boys highest elevation to date. Of course it was a breeze for them! We took the Barlow Trail up and the Winslow Trail down. It had rained the day before and the Winslow Trail was a bit wet. We all took a slide at some point, but thankfully no major injuries this time.

Garmin activity

 

                  

Bauneg Beg Mountain

My youngest and I headed out for a short and sweet hike in Maine that I had read about online in the Bauneg Beg Conservation area. I love discovering all these trail systems right in our backyard! We parked in the Fox Hill Farm Road parking area. Took the Bauneg Beg Trail and Ginny's Trail to Middle Peak. Descended Linny's Way and through Devil's Den to the North Peak Trail and North Peak. Then back to the car via Bauneg Beg trail.

Peek-a-boo view from Middle Peak

Coming down through Devils Den

Is this North Peak?

maybe this is North Peak?

OK, I think we finally found it. North Peak