Jefferson, Clay, Washington NH

Took Friday off and went to the Presidential range in NH. Warmest in the AM at the base with the temperature about 60. At the top of Mt Washington, and most of the ridge walking it was 45-50 degrees with 40-60 mph winds. I had my winter hat on most of the time on the ridge.
Went up Washington on the Tuckerman ravine trail. There was a chunk of snow maybe 20 feet wide and 10 feet deep at the base of the head wall (July 31). The wind picked up at the base of the ravine and the temperatures dropped so it made for a quick trip up to the top of Washington. From Washington I took the gulf side trail to Jefferson. Very windy and in the clouds for some of the walk to Jefferson. The top of Jefferson and Clay kept appearing and disappearing. Sometimes you could see the whole ridge and other times you could only see the next cairn. After Jefferson I went back on the Gulf side trail and took the loop up Mt Clay. Mt Clay has great views of Mt Washington and most of the rest of the Presidential's. No one on Clay. Compare that to the 500 people that were on the top of Washington when I got back up to the top! Went by the cog RR chugging up on the way back to Washington. From Washington I went over to the boot spur trail and down. Boot spur has great views of tuckermans ravine and huntington ravine. A 16 mile trip taking 10 hours (8AM - 6PM). Interesting day to spend so may hours above tree line with the view constantly changing.

Looking up at Tuckermans

Snow 7/31

Looking down the headwall

Going up Jefferson

Clay

Picture of picture in museum at top of Washington. Shows most of the range in winter.

Coming off top of Washington

Looking down boot spur

Washington and tuckermans ravine

Early AM Camels Hump

Quick trip before work: Forrest City->Burrows

Mid summer 7/11/15

It has been summer hot the last few days. Went to the usual mountains (Camels Hump, Mansfield) early in the AM the last few days to get ahead of the heat. Lucky to have both these mountains close by. The Mansfield trip was a little longer than usual. Went up the Stevensville road side and got up on the ridge by 9AM while it was still about 60 degrees. Went over the ridge to the top and then went a little beyond the top to look out toward Smugglers notch. I had been down that side last year which is a nice area. Headed back over the ridge and followed the long trail to Nebraska Notch and then down to the parking area. About 12 miles and I spent some time checking out the caves on the Subway trail and also on the Gondola trail.

Camels Hump:

Mansfield:

Summer day in the Adirondack's - 7/3/15

Link: Adirondack Hike

Burnt Rock Mountain

Since it was memorial day weekend I was looking for something outside the usual hikes. I knew Burnt mountain was somewhere up there. I had been up Ethan Allen Mtn earlier in the week. Going South from Camels Hump there is Ethan Allen, Ira Allen, and then Burnt Rock. I had other things going on and didn't get to the trail head until 3PM. Based on no knowledge I figured Burnt Rock should be a 6 mile round trip hike. It turns out it is 12! Pulling into the parking area at Carse road there was one other car. I saw two people during the hike. The trail doesn't get much traffic so it is in good shape. A nice quiet hike through the woods heading past Huntington Gap where I ski a lot in the winter. Burnt Rock is interesting. It is below tree line but is open and there are views in all directions from different areas. I could see two lines of snow on Killington far to the South. Maybe they are still open?

Looking South to Sugarbush

Camels hump left, Ira Allen middle, and Ethan Allen to the right.

Lake Champlain driving home

Biking North

I spent some time this Spring trying to find a nice bike loop North of Shelburne that stays away from roads as much as possible. I kept exploring and trying to reduce roads with traffic by finding side roads, dirt roads, and bike paths. This loop is 27 miles long with probably 3 miles of roads with traffic, 5 miles of side roads, and 19 miles of paths or dirt roads with no cars.

The route goes a short distance on Shelburne road and up Allen road. Before Allen hits Spear I turn left into some neighborhoods and work my way over to the bike path. The bike path goes to UVM where I cut through campus and come out on North Prospect street. Following North Prospect to the end I cross over onto the Intervale road. There are paths from there to Ethan Allen Park. When you come out of Ethan Allen park you need to spend a little time, less than a mile, on North Ave. At that point you cut left down to the bike path. Follow the bike path along the lake past Burlington to Oakledge park and then follow the bike path and cross Shelburne road back onto more bike paths.

A very nice ride with river front, lake front, and  some woods. Pretty surprising you can do this going from Shelburne to Burlington and stay mostly off road.

Mid May

More skiing Stowe

Last run of the season? May 7 - Nose Dive

Looking down at quad from above nose dive

La Platte river

Turkey vultures 

Camels Hump after work