States
Connecticut
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New York
Vermont
View All
Lists
Belknap Range
NE 4,000 Footers
NH 4,000 Footers
Ossipee 10
Explanation of Ratings
Links
Search
Trip Log
About
Bartlett, NH, Chatham, NH
Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Heading up the Kearsarge North Trail
After a busy start to the weekend and a late arrival back from Massachusetts earlier in the morning, my energy was at a minimum. Not wanting to pass up a nice fall day, I decided to do a somewhat local hike - Kearsarge North Mountain.
Arriving at the parking area in the early afternoon, I was able to get a parking space thanks in part to the early risers already being done for the day.
The first part of the trail is pretty easy going - mostly level with a few short moderate sections as it meanders to the mountainside. Once the brook is visible from the trail, things change, as the trail quickly steepens up.
Once the first set of ledges is reached, things ease up and the views start to improve big time. I'm pretty confident that in this area there is a spur trail to Bartlett Mountain, however I couldn't figure out which herd path it is. Future hike, possibly.
After the passing the col, things steepen up again as the trail ascends the back side of the mountain. It's a bit rockier here and, due to the exposure, wetter.
Soon, I was ascending the summit ledges - what a nice day it was! Quickly climbing the one flight of stairs to the fire tower deck, I could see for dozens of miles in all directions - and there was literally not a cloud to be seen. With upper 60 degree temperatures, I couldn't help but loiter around for awhile. Despite the day, the time of the season, and the peak that it is, the crowds weren't bad at all at the summit - in fact I had the tower to myself.
The descent was pleasant - the sun shining down as I descended down the ledges. Weezer's Blue album provided some entertainment once I made it to the lower woods.
As tired as I was, I'm glad I made it out - definitely a hike to remember.
| ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kearsarge North Trail trailhead on Hurricane Mountain Road
Looking northwest at Mt. Washington, the Wildcats, and the Carters from Kearsarge North Mountain
Back to Kearsarge North Mountain Profile
www.FranklinSites.com
