McRat
New member
When I was younger, we had a dog named Pixie. Whenever we would drive up to the lake, as soon as the water was in sight, the dog would go nuts. If the window were open even a few inches, this forty-pound mutt would try to squeeze out in excitement.
I understand this feeling. Ever since I let the obsession with the ‘Whites take hold, I would make the boring drive from Boston to Manchester without much interest. Then, just as you are about to reach the junction for I-89, you can see behind the ridge a broad humped peak. This is where my heart starts racing. It appears to be the first ‘real mountain’ on the trip up 93. I always wanted to ask what this mountain was named, but never did.
That first peek of the peaks is Kearsarge.
I woke up to grey skies on Sunday, but was determined to take a trip with my nine year old daughter, Abby. She is working towards her New Hampshire Fire Tower Quest patch. We had already done Cardigan, and she needed 4 more towers. We decided that we would try for Kearsarge, and if too much of a problem, we would look for a smaller tower. By the time we hit the New Hampshire border, the clouds were lifting, and blue skies led the way.
We arrived at Winslow State Park to see the prettiest trailside parking lot I’ve been to. There are excellent views north from the picnic area, and I suspect I’ll stop back this way for lunch and/or a quick hike if I’m in the area again.
Before long HikerFast and HikerAmiga pulled up, and we were on our way up the Winslow trail. In about a quarter of a mile, we opted to put on crampons. There were some impressive ice flows on the trail. Abby noticed many that had water flowing underneath, making some strange bubbling noises.
One steep section about 2/3rds up, actually required a brief bushwhack around. Abby was a bit scared on the ice, but managed to work her way up without much assistance, thanks to HikerFast loaning a pair of ‘Get a grip’ traction devices. Soon we were near the top and back in bare boots.
What a view! We had clear views to Mt. Washington, Monadnock, and the Green Mountains. We hid in the wind shadow of the fire tower and had lunch. We even had a good view of Adamiata and Hockeycrew, who had taken some time off studies to head up under the power lines. It was nice meeting you two.
The good weather allowed us a decent amount of time to soak in the summit views before we headed back down the Barlow trail.
The Barlow trail was icy, but in much better condition than our ascent trail. The views along the top quarter of the trail were excellent, but soon we were back in the trees and crampons. We were even feeling like arctic explorers until a couple passed us carrying their toddler aged kids… bare-booting it in jeans…
We made it back to the parking lot by 4:00 and I asked HikerFast if there were any of the easier towers nearby. He suggested Oak Hill. I asked Abby if she was interested, and after assuring her that it would not be icy, she decided to give it a try.
We parked at the Shaker Road lot and started up the Tower Trail. This was an entirely different experience. Not only was the area snow-free, there was scarcely any mud on this gently graded wide path through pleasant woods. HikerFast decided to run to the tower and then back to meet up with us.
A very civilized hike – we were able to walk side by side, and have a nice chat. Soon we arrived at the power lines, and then up to the Oak Hill tower. At 980’, nearly a thousand feet below the Kearsarge trailhead, the only views were of the tower, some outbuildings, and a rusting tractor.
As soon as we climbed the tower there were views out to Kearsarge and Washington. We pointed out a few peaks and headed back. As worried as I was about Abby being able to keep up, by the end of the day she was scurrying right along, chatting up a storm, and generally holding up well.
We said our goodbyes in the parking lot, and headed home. Abigail curled up in the back seat and started sleeping. I looked in the rearview mirror and could see the little person who I once held in one hand – a mere blink in time ago. She had not only overcome her fears on the ice for a first objective, but she even claimed a second tower for the day! Three-fifths of the way to her first patch, and almost ready for the ‘Whites.
I was a bit choked up. I was a very proud dad, and felt like I had hit the lottery. Not only do I have a healthy, smart, kind and sweet little girl... I also have a hiking buddy.
Thank heaven for little girls.
http://img153.imageshack.us/my.php?image=abbykearsarge7ee.jpg
I understand this feeling. Ever since I let the obsession with the ‘Whites take hold, I would make the boring drive from Boston to Manchester without much interest. Then, just as you are about to reach the junction for I-89, you can see behind the ridge a broad humped peak. This is where my heart starts racing. It appears to be the first ‘real mountain’ on the trip up 93. I always wanted to ask what this mountain was named, but never did.
That first peek of the peaks is Kearsarge.
I woke up to grey skies on Sunday, but was determined to take a trip with my nine year old daughter, Abby. She is working towards her New Hampshire Fire Tower Quest patch. We had already done Cardigan, and she needed 4 more towers. We decided that we would try for Kearsarge, and if too much of a problem, we would look for a smaller tower. By the time we hit the New Hampshire border, the clouds were lifting, and blue skies led the way.
We arrived at Winslow State Park to see the prettiest trailside parking lot I’ve been to. There are excellent views north from the picnic area, and I suspect I’ll stop back this way for lunch and/or a quick hike if I’m in the area again.
Before long HikerFast and HikerAmiga pulled up, and we were on our way up the Winslow trail. In about a quarter of a mile, we opted to put on crampons. There were some impressive ice flows on the trail. Abby noticed many that had water flowing underneath, making some strange bubbling noises.
One steep section about 2/3rds up, actually required a brief bushwhack around. Abby was a bit scared on the ice, but managed to work her way up without much assistance, thanks to HikerFast loaning a pair of ‘Get a grip’ traction devices. Soon we were near the top and back in bare boots.
What a view! We had clear views to Mt. Washington, Monadnock, and the Green Mountains. We hid in the wind shadow of the fire tower and had lunch. We even had a good view of Adamiata and Hockeycrew, who had taken some time off studies to head up under the power lines. It was nice meeting you two.
The good weather allowed us a decent amount of time to soak in the summit views before we headed back down the Barlow trail.
The Barlow trail was icy, but in much better condition than our ascent trail. The views along the top quarter of the trail were excellent, but soon we were back in the trees and crampons. We were even feeling like arctic explorers until a couple passed us carrying their toddler aged kids… bare-booting it in jeans…
We made it back to the parking lot by 4:00 and I asked HikerFast if there were any of the easier towers nearby. He suggested Oak Hill. I asked Abby if she was interested, and after assuring her that it would not be icy, she decided to give it a try.
We parked at the Shaker Road lot and started up the Tower Trail. This was an entirely different experience. Not only was the area snow-free, there was scarcely any mud on this gently graded wide path through pleasant woods. HikerFast decided to run to the tower and then back to meet up with us.
A very civilized hike – we were able to walk side by side, and have a nice chat. Soon we arrived at the power lines, and then up to the Oak Hill tower. At 980’, nearly a thousand feet below the Kearsarge trailhead, the only views were of the tower, some outbuildings, and a rusting tractor.
As soon as we climbed the tower there were views out to Kearsarge and Washington. We pointed out a few peaks and headed back. As worried as I was about Abby being able to keep up, by the end of the day she was scurrying right along, chatting up a storm, and generally holding up well.
We said our goodbyes in the parking lot, and headed home. Abigail curled up in the back seat and started sleeping. I looked in the rearview mirror and could see the little person who I once held in one hand – a mere blink in time ago. She had not only overcome her fears on the ice for a first objective, but she even claimed a second tower for the day! Three-fifths of the way to her first patch, and almost ready for the ‘Whites.
I was a bit choked up. I was a very proud dad, and felt like I had hit the lottery. Not only do I have a healthy, smart, kind and sweet little girl... I also have a hiking buddy.
Thank heaven for little girls.
http://img153.imageshack.us/my.php?image=abbykearsarge7ee.jpg
