Trails Used

Lincoln Trail, Rollins Trail, bushwhacks

Trail Conditions

Notes

Did some poking around the top of Mt. Kearsarge today, including a few short bushwhacks to interesting things. As expected, the summit was very people-ey, with one group of loud young men making a raucous roar that could probably be heard over on Cardigan. Despite the chance of showers for the day, the morning remained dry. A bit chilly on top but nothing crazy for October. Lack of sun dulled the foliage color below, but the auto road is gorgeous right now.

Parking

Plenty when we arrived at The Garden at Rollins State Park. A bit more full when we returned.

Trails Used

Winslow Trail, Barlow Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Beautiful day to get in a small hike! Winslow and Barlow trails are both in great shape. Winslow trail is steeper and has a lot of rock slabs and more rugged sections, so it would be more difficult in wet conditions, but still very doable with caution.

Parking

Parking lot had 7 cars at 10:00 and 12 at 12:30. Parking is in Winslow State Park, and there are bathrooms and a picnic area at the trailhead. Entry is 4 dollars per adult.

Water Crossings

None

Wildlife

Not many, some flies were buzzing around but they seemed harmless.

Trails Used

Winslow Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Nice hike with many friends today to honor and remember Ryan Bishop. Family and friends went up Rollins or Winslow. Both groups of hikers met at the summit and ate our lunches and enjoyed the view together. Trail was dry with a couple of damp places. I think the 1/2 painted on the rock is smart and think it would be smart if Falling Tourist and Bridle Path had half way signs, Monadnock has them too. Trail was clear and the top half is wide and rough the top. Lot of people out beating the rain today. Cool breeze and hazy views. There is a playground, picnic tables and pit toilets and porta potties at the trailhead.

Parking

Reservations are a must to go to PAY NH State Parks. 4 bucks a person

Water Crossings

none

Wildlife

I think the only two black flies on the mountain found me and bit me on my arm

Trails Used

Winslow Trail, Barlow Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

It was a great day to hike Kearsarge before the forecasted afternoon thunderstorms. Lots of sunshine and great views. The trail was clear of any snow and ice, with some wet areas and slippery rocks. If you want to avoid crowds, now is the time to hike this peak.

Parking

The park's gate is open for day use with no fee during the week, but I believe they are now collecting a fee on weekends. Plenty of parking near the trailhead.

Wildlife

Plenty of black flies in the parking lot, even with the wind. Heading up the trail, the black flies followed me, I'm guessing due to the CO2 I kept breathing out. They weren't bad at all hiking down or on the peak in the strong winds.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Winslow Trail, Barlow Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Great conditions, only one small 2 foot by 1.5 foot patch of ice on the Winslow trail about 3/4 of the way up. Was able to bare boot all the way. I was the first one in the parking lot in the AM. Went up Winslow and down Barlow. Saw 5 other people on the trail. When I got back to the parking lot there were roughly about 10 cars parked at noon time.

Parking

Parked at Winslow State Park, gate is open.

Water Crossings

No issues

Wildlife

There were about 5 midgies buzzing me in the parking lot on the way in and the way out, no bugs on the trail.

Trails Used

Winslow

Trail Conditions

Parking

The Winslow state park gate is open

Wildlife

none

Trails Used

Weeks Brook trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Late start but quick hike, I’ve hiked from both sides now and this is definitely the preferred side. Not a soul out there. Lots of moose sign, nice job maintaining the trail on this side. This trail offers a large variety of terrain and you feel isolated.

Parking

Good amount of parking

Water Crossings

Not too bad one where feet were submerged slightly

Wildlife

Here and there

Trails Used

Access road, Winslow Trail, Barlow Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

I wrote a report for this last weekend and I did the hike again both yesterday and today. The melt is happening quickly and it is FAR more hike-able than last weekend's report. Many other people were enjoying it. Today our entourage was an AMC NH group of 11. There are still areas of ice and I recommend microspikes that are already beat up ("rock spikes"). If you are staying on trail some ice is still unavoidable on both Winslow and Barlow. Going counterclockwise was very helpful. Great hike- it was a beautiful day to squeak this in, in between the rainy forecasts.

Parking

Gate is still closed

Water Crossings

N/A

Wildlife

None today, but there were some yesterday evening. Not biting, but foreshadowing.

Trails Used

Access road, Winslow Trail, Barlow Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

This was absurdly icy on both Winslow and Barlow. On Winslow, it starts just below the halfway mark and it is dramatic. Staying to the left at the halfway avoids what is jaw dropping to look at but you will not escape it entirely. Much of the trail is unavoidable ice. The summit itself is mostly ice free but going down Barlow does not spare you for long. Barlow is even worse because when the ice starts, it's relentless and that trail is naturally longer. Much of that ice can be stepped around but a lot can't. Sharp spikes would be ideal (and crampons not unreasonable) but rock spikes did the job and sharp spikes will quickly become rock spikes. This week is supposed to be warmer so maybe this is all just wasted words. Right now though, without traction it would be a new Olympic event of downhill figure skating. Be careful.

Parking

Gate still closed.

Water Crossings

N/A

Wildlife

Not one!

Trails Used

Access road, Winslow Trail, Barlow Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Extremely icy. After the 1 mile road walk, I didn't make it beyond 1/2 on the trail before hitting an impassible wall of ice.. even with K10s. A trio started minutes before me and they turned around before that. Be careful!