Jimmy Legs and Little D
New member
We made excellent time getting to New Hampshire and Franconia Notch Motel that we decided to do a warm up hike to the summit of Indian Head; a mountain just north of our base for the next couple of days. The trailhead was plowed shut except for a narrow lane groomed for snowmobiles. The parking lot itself was not plowed and we did not have any issues with getting a parking space with our all wheel drive.
On the trail by 3:15 pm we bare booted the well travelled path along a gentle incline with no traction problems.
It was good to finally see snow, since our winter down south in Maryland has been without the white stuff; except for a few inches in January. With it being such a short hike we only had our fanny packs with only a few necessities such as our microspikes, some snacks and extra layers of clothing. We made good time up to the junction with the Indian Head trail coming up from the Flume parking area and soon reached the open summit ledge of Mount Pemigewasset. The last pitch to the top was quite steep and the ledge icy; so much so that Donna donned her microspikes so that she wouldn’t slip off the edge. The wind chilled our bodies but the fact that we were in New Hampshire and hiking in snow kept us warm while we enjoyed the amazing views down to Lincoln and the mountains of Franconia Ridge.
We hated to leave such a wonderful place but the sun was setting and we had never left the woods using headlamps. We made good time going down using the microspikes but we did have to come out in headlamps; which was actually pretty cool. I always carry three head lamps and extra batteries just in case.
It really felt good to get out and about in the fresh mountain air of the Granite State.
Here's the link to our slideshow
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/21548449_wnPn4M
Mike and Donna
On the trail by 3:15 pm we bare booted the well travelled path along a gentle incline with no traction problems.
It was good to finally see snow, since our winter down south in Maryland has been without the white stuff; except for a few inches in January. With it being such a short hike we only had our fanny packs with only a few necessities such as our microspikes, some snacks and extra layers of clothing. We made good time up to the junction with the Indian Head trail coming up from the Flume parking area and soon reached the open summit ledge of Mount Pemigewasset. The last pitch to the top was quite steep and the ledge icy; so much so that Donna donned her microspikes so that she wouldn’t slip off the edge. The wind chilled our bodies but the fact that we were in New Hampshire and hiking in snow kept us warm while we enjoyed the amazing views down to Lincoln and the mountains of Franconia Ridge.
We hated to leave such a wonderful place but the sun was setting and we had never left the woods using headlamps. We made good time going down using the microspikes but we did have to come out in headlamps; which was actually pretty cool. I always carry three head lamps and extra batteries just in case.
It really felt good to get out and about in the fresh mountain air of the Granite State.
Here's the link to our slideshow
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/21548449_wnPn4M
Mike and Donna
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