New Hampshire Hiking - August 5-9, 2000
We left Saturday Aug. 5th in two cars to drive the 450 miles to Gorham, N.H. Our group of seven included: Dave, Mike, your reporter, Carl, Ann, Ursula, JoAnne, and Kathy. Our car stopped at the Marble Museum in Proctor and was delayed by an overturned tractor trailer, so we arrived later than Mike's, 13 hrs out of Rochester!
Early on Sunday, we drove over long gravel roads to the trailhead for Mt. Jefferson. We were well prepared with plenty of gear and water for almost any situation. We hiked up the roots and rocks for 5 hours, much of it above treeline, over many false summits. The black smoke of the Cog Railway Steam Train could be seen in the distance as it huffed and puffed it's way up Mt. Washington. The rocks were big and jagged as we hopped over, scrambled up, and sometimes crawled our way to the top. Our stay at the summit, 5,715', was brief because we were concerned about some clouds drifting in. After 3 hrs. down, 8 hrs. total, we were all very proud to have climbed the 3rd highest mountain in the Northeast.
Monday was our day off for sightseeing. JoAnne and I got up early to make the 8:00 AM Cog Railway Train, even though it was rainy and foggy. We just barely made it and loved every minute of the slow hour long ascent up the mountain with an average track grade of 25%! At the top, we saw the museums, and at the observation deck, visibility was only 50' with a stiff wind, but we loved it. The other 5 went in Mike's car to Franconia Notch for some light hiking and sightseeing, visiting the Flume Gorge and the Old Man of the Mountain, a high cliff with a human profile. We all ate early so we could go moose hunting. We went to the viewing spot around sunset and waited awhile in the rain, but only saw their tracks in the mud.
Tuesday, we did a 6 hour hike at Franconia Notch. The Basin had many beautiful waterfalls along the rounded rocks, prompting many short stops. Later on we joined the Appalachian Trail to the Appalachian Mountain Club's hut on Lonesome Lake, and then looped around to our car. After supper we just hung out on the motel porch, enjoying the evening, with beautiful Lake Janiki nearby. This motel, nicknamed "Hikers Paradise", was perfect for the trip. Through hikers on the Appalachian Trail stayed there and one lanky dude took the "Bruce's Appetizer" challenge to consume 12 pancakes, sausages, bacon, home fries, and more in one hour. Some bets were placed, it was fun to watch, but he didn't make it.
Wednesday, on the way home, we stopped to shop and eat at beautiful Woodstock, Vermont. I think we all agree, it was really a great trip!
- Carl P.