Ed'n Lauky
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2007
- Messages
- 1,802
- Reaction score
- 168
We parked at the entrance to Winslow St. Park and did the .7 mile walk to the trailhead. We headed up the Wilmot trail. Do not be deceived. The trail at first gives the impression of a clear trip to the top but this is not the case. Snow is not an issue but ice is. We encountered the most massive ice flows I have ever seen. I had the impression at times that we were trying to walk up a waterfall. Even the woods was full of ice so there was no simple bypass. If you have traction this will not be an issue but barebooters beware. If you didn't bring traction with you, you will wish you had. Going down by this route without traction would by quite the adventure.
We went down via the Barlow trail. This trail is also covered with ice, but not as steep with trees to grab hold of. With traction it is no issue at all. If you don't have traction I would recommend going up and back by this route.
The stars were bright in the sky when we left and even with the rising sun the sky was clear. I though we would have a great day. However as we neared Wilmot it clouded over and never cleared. This was my first visit to this peak and standing on that bare granite summit I could well believe that the views would be spectacular, but to my great disappointment there were no views at all today, at least when we were up there. It's a long drive from my place to there, but perhaps I'll get back sometime.
Once back at the car we packed up and headed to Effingham and Green Mountain. The sky slowly cleared as we headed east and by the time we reached Effingham it was a clear blue. We parked just beyond the Neuro Rehab center. Be careful when parking here, the shoulders are very soft. It would be easy to get stuck. We went up the High Watch trail. This is the fire warden's trail and it is easy to follow. The trail up is mostly clear with patches of ice here and there. The last 200 vertical feet are mostly covered in ice but this can be easily bypassed if you are barebooting. Traction can be used but it is not necessary. The snow is mostly gone.
The summit is in the trees but there is a high fire warden's tower that provides fine views.
Both peaks have been on my to do list for a long time so we finally got to them today.
Elevation gain:
Kearsarge with road walk 1500'
Green 1150'
[email protected]
We went down via the Barlow trail. This trail is also covered with ice, but not as steep with trees to grab hold of. With traction it is no issue at all. If you don't have traction I would recommend going up and back by this route.
The stars were bright in the sky when we left and even with the rising sun the sky was clear. I though we would have a great day. However as we neared Wilmot it clouded over and never cleared. This was my first visit to this peak and standing on that bare granite summit I could well believe that the views would be spectacular, but to my great disappointment there were no views at all today, at least when we were up there. It's a long drive from my place to there, but perhaps I'll get back sometime.
Once back at the car we packed up and headed to Effingham and Green Mountain. The sky slowly cleared as we headed east and by the time we reached Effingham it was a clear blue. We parked just beyond the Neuro Rehab center. Be careful when parking here, the shoulders are very soft. It would be easy to get stuck. We went up the High Watch trail. This is the fire warden's trail and it is easy to follow. The trail up is mostly clear with patches of ice here and there. The last 200 vertical feet are mostly covered in ice but this can be easily bypassed if you are barebooting. Traction can be used but it is not necessary. The snow is mostly gone.
The summit is in the trees but there is a high fire warden's tower that provides fine views.
Both peaks have been on my to do list for a long time so we finally got to them today.
Elevation gain:
Kearsarge with road walk 1500'
Green 1150'
[email protected]
