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

Belknap Mountain

We got a later start on this day. I was concerned about the access road gate closing at 6pm since we were starting somewhere around 2pm. As it turns out, I needn't have been concerned.. but Murphy's Law, if we had gone ahead and parked in the upper lot, we'd have been locked in. So we parked just outside the gate on the Carriage Road and headed up to the trailhead. The road walk was the worst part. Without knowing how long it was, it seemed never ending. Alas, we made it and started on up the Red Trail for the fire tower. A hazy, humid day we made it and ascended the tower itself to enjoy the breeze. After snacks and pictures, we headed back down the Green Trail to the parking lot and then back down the access road to the car.

 

Caverly Mountain

I'm a bit of a list fanatic. So as my interest in hiking grows, I started researching different mountains and trails around that were kid friendly.. Caverly Mountain fit the bill. Basically a network of snowmobile trails, you are rewarded with some peaceful views of Merrymeeting Lake, Lake Winnipesaukee, the Belknaps, Ossipees and surrounds. Someone has built a lovely firepit (with grill plate included) at the summit.. and I've read that blueberry picking is at its finest when in season.

Mt Agamenticus

I am determined to develop a passion for hiking in my kids the same way I have developed one. Such an amazing way to help create a healthy lifestyle. Thus, we set out on another adventure, just the three of us. This time we ventured to Maine and explored the Ring Trail and Witches Hazel trail to the summit of Mt Agamenticus. What I liked about these trails were the interactive signs along the route, which gave the kids something to look out for and motivation to keep moving. Basically a nice, big hill.. we enjoyed walking around the summit, investigating the old ski hill equipment, and relaxing with a snack at the picnic tables. Hiking with my youngest son is a continual learning process. He has Type 1 Diabetes, and the only consistent thing about his disease.. is inconsistency. I always make sure to carry plenty of sugary snacks, as well as his "kit" which consists of his testing equipment.. thankfully I am pretty obsessive about checking his numbers and keeping a close on eye on him. He had a low on the summit of Mt A, but I was able to quickly get some food into him before it reached critical level and we regrouped before heading back down to the car. Aside from some light rain and relatively overcast conditions, another fun afternoon enjoying our surrounds.

Mt Willard

And just like that.. I'm back at Mt Willard. This time for a wedding! Friends of mine, who are crazy (amazing) ultra runners, mountain climbers and all around good people, Ryan and Kristina, had decided to do what they do best.. get married atop a mountain! This was what prompted my hike a couple weeks earlier to ensure I was capable of making it up to witness their ceremony. We are camping at the base of Mt Washington with my husband and eldest son, as part of the 24 Hours of Great Glen mountain bike race, so it wasn't too far a commute to the trailhead. Karen and I headed out in enough time to comfortably make it up the trail. We incidentally met up with Kristina's Mother who was beginning the trek herself and accompanied her up to the site of the nuptials. After much positive thinking, Mother Nature played nice and endowed upon the newlyweds an absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous morning. I was thrilled to have been a part of such a unique and beautiful event, (which made it into the pages of New Hampshire Bride magazine, thanks to the couple's adventure seeking photographer Jay Philbrick of Philbrick Photography).