Trails Used

Weeks Brook Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Hadn't done this route in a spell and while it's longer than the more popular trade route from Hurricane Mtn. Rd., it's mostly gentle except for the final half mile, plus you get Shingle Pond as a bonus. For a trail that doesn't get a ton of use, it was in pretty good shape overall. As expected, lots of watery and muddy spots after the recent storms. But also lots of drier and smoother sections. The upper ledges were a bit wet in places and took some care to descend (for me). I arrived to an empty summit and hung out on top for almost an hour. I was surprised no one was up there. I was not surprised to see zero people on Weeks Brook Trail. Nice cool weather with just a very light passing shower when I got back to Shingle Pond.

Parking

I was the only one in the trailhead lot off Green Hill Rd. Not surprising.

Water Crossings

No issues.

Wildlife

Mosquitoes outnumbered black flies today. Maybe the latter have returned to the underworld? Found one tick ... so far.

Trails Used

Kearsarge

Trail Conditions

Notes

Another nice outing with the OTHH. There were a few others who had gone up ahead of us and were descending, and some later, ascending as we came down. The open rock slabs half way up were quite wet in many places, making for tricky footing ascending. On the descent, the sun had gone to work, and most of this wetness had dried. Low down, there was a fair amount of water and some mud on the trail, but the mud wasn't especially deep, and we could walk over it.

Parking

Ample parking off the road this morning at 8:30am. Mid-week, off-season.

Water Crossings

None

Wildlife

Some were flying around, but not biting that I could tell. I didn't use repellent, and the only real encounter for me was a black fly that flew right into my ear up top. What a dumb bug, to advertise his presence that way and leave no room for escape.

Trails Used

Mount Kearsarge North Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Beautiful day as always with the sun in and out and the breeze mostly keeping the bugs away. We needed to pay close attention to our foot placement due to the rough and wet surfaces, especially in the tangled root section. Last time we hiked here it was winter and snow-covered so the rough surface was hidden. I think I liked that hike better! But it's such a great view spot on a sunny day, and we were tempted to just lie there and take a nap!

Parking

Parking for about 10-12 cars, full at 9am. Some roadside spots but be aware of the numerous no parking signs

Water Crossings

Balance beams in the mud and standing water at the start of the trail.

Wildlife

Black flies are coming out!

Trails Used

Kearsage North Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Spring weather arrived at last. Lovely day for a hike. Lots of running and standing water on most of the trail.

Parking

Tiny lot was full at 8:15am, we snagged the last spot as a group of overnighters were leaving. There was a car on the road that had both driver's side wheels over the white lane marker. Police drove by and asked if it was ours, when we said no, he said the car was going to be towed.

Water Crossings

Nothing of note

Wildlife

They are back.

Trails Used

Mt Kearsarge North Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Trail is in good condition with no issues. A few very small patches of mud and snow and ice just off trail, easily avoided and barely noticeable. Trail runners trailhead to trailhead. I carried spikes but zero need for them!

Parking

Mine was the 3rd car in the small parking lot at 11 am and when leaving at 4pm.

Water Crossings

Typically low on the very small water crossing drainage.

Wildlife

A few black flies are starting to get in your face on the lower half of the mountain.

Trails Used

Mt. Kearsarge North Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

There's about 1 foot of monorail remaining at about 3,000'. Other than that, no snow left, and no need for traction. The ledgy sections, while not exactly steep, were a bit slick today from the dampness. No views today, but fun to check out the summit tower.

Parking

A couple of spots are available--and, per the parking signs, not restricted--on the road. Lot was full in spite of the sub-optimal weather

Wildlife

Still in Hell

Trails Used

Mt Kearsarge North Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

No ice on the trail up to the mid-hike ledges. The ledges have some ice but many dry rock surfaces. No need for traction through these mid-hike ledges (about 2,700 feet). Thereafter, there are more icy surfaces. Use of light traction makes for an easier/safer hike above the ledges. Some hikers bare booted this icy section with deliberate foot placement. The summit ledges were bare rocks. Standing water in places with the worst at the start of the hike. No significant running water on the trail. Great views from the fire tower at the summit. Mt Washington was not in clouds. There were about 8 hikers on the trail today. Most were from Maine. Chatted with a gridder from Madison NH.

Parking

Small dirt lot just off Hurricane Mountain Road. Street parking not allowed (signed).

Water Crossings

No significant water crossings

Wildlife

None.

Trails Used

Kearsarge North trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Bring your rock spikes. Trail is about 40% flow ice, 30% a crunchy skim of snow on top of ice, 20% bare slab/rock and 10% dirt. We mostly opted not to swap back and forth or we would have been stopping every few minutes.

Water Crossings

The tiny ones by the parking lot are fine, not too boggy yet!

Trails Used

Kearsarge North Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

This trail is ICY. It starts in patches and becomes solid, glass-like ice about a quarter of the way from the tower. I used microspikes and poles on the way up, but after seeing people sliding down a slope on their butts--WITH microspikes--I made the decision to use crampons on the first part of the descent, at least until the ice became patchier again. I also used an ice axe in one hand. Overkill? Maybe, but I honestly felt a lot safer and more secure on the way down with that equipment than just my spikes and poles on the way up. That said, you probably can do the whole thing in spikes; it's just hairier. I met a person who'd somehow made it up and down barebooted and honestly have no idea how that was possible. Aside from the ice, the trail was in overall okay shape. A few blowdowns, but nothing unexpected for late March. It was a beautiful day, and the views from the tower were incredible. The ice made for a challenging hike, but the views were worth it. Can't wait to go back.

Parking

A couple of spaces still remaining at 10:30 AM

Water Crossings

N/A

Wildlife

None