TRIP DATE: Aug 22, 2013
TRIP LOCATION: Blue Hills – Houghton’s Pond area and rolling hills around the pond.
WAS TRIP CANCELLED? (y/n): N
MEETING TIME: 6:00 pm
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 16
TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS): 3.25
LENGTH IN MILES: 4.1
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): no GPS, but no big hills
DIFFICULTY: C (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)
LEADER NAME(S): Michael Swartz
CO-LEADER NAME(S):
TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION: Picnic area parking lot
CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?: no TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS:
WAS TRIP WITHING WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST? no
IF YES TO ABOVE, DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:
WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: muggy but no rain
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Whiteface Hike
Hike Date: 8-17-2013
Leader: Len Ulbricht
Whiteface is one of the smaller 48 NH 4000 footers, elevation 4020 feet, with 180 degree commanding views to the south. It anchors the west end of the Bowl Natural Research Area in the Sandwich Range Wilderness. Mt. Passaconaway, also a 4000 footer and 23 feet higher, sits at the east end, the two peaks connected by a ridge line above the bowl.
Perfecto weather- sunny, mid-70s, light wind, low humidity - filled the day for nine of us. The planned loop hike took us up the Blueberry Ledge Trail to the Rollins Trail and the summit of Whiteface, the Rollins Trail then continuing along the Bowl ridge line to the Dicey’s Mill Trail at a point about a mile below the Passaconaway summit. We descended from there and had the loop’s only water crossing on Dicey’s Mill. The hiking distance of 9.8 miles with 2800 foot elevation change was completed in 7.5 hours, book time plus one hour for lunch and rest breaks.
The 4 mile Blueberry Ledge Trail has lower and upper ledges, the lower being less difficult and manageable with poles, but put them away for the upper ledges. The uppers are a challenging scramble demanding use of all fours. Reminded me of Baldface. Stone steps have been placed on a steep section between the lower and upper ledges. Outstanding views from the upper ledges encompass Sebago Lake, Lake Winnepesaukee, Chocura, Passaconaway and the Bowl. The Whiteface summit is further along the Rollins Trail and treed, so get your views in at the ledges.
Continuing along the treed ridge line, the Rollins Trails roller coasters up and down for 2.4 miles, gradually descending 700 - 800 feet. Soft tuff makes for pleasant trail footing. There are a few small lookout points out over the bowl along this section. Also noticeable are many blowdowns, all facing north, evidence of a fierce wind driving up the bowl face. Fortunately the trail was cleared of blowdowns.
The 3+ mile descent along Dicey’s Mill Trail was easy, made easier by the stone steps on the steep sections. The one water crossing over a felled tree was aided by a taught rope to steady ones balance.
Many hikers on the ledges took in the view on this glorious weather day, and there were several places to do so. Crowding was not an issue. We only passed one hiker on the ridge line, many apparently descending the shorter Blueberry Ledge route. No parking fee at the trailhead lot.
Leader: Len Ulbricht
Whiteface is one of the smaller 48 NH 4000 footers, elevation 4020 feet, with 180 degree commanding views to the south. It anchors the west end of the Bowl Natural Research Area in the Sandwich Range Wilderness. Mt. Passaconaway, also a 4000 footer and 23 feet higher, sits at the east end, the two peaks connected by a ridge line above the bowl.
Perfecto weather- sunny, mid-70s, light wind, low humidity - filled the day for nine of us. The planned loop hike took us up the Blueberry Ledge Trail to the Rollins Trail and the summit of Whiteface, the Rollins Trail then continuing along the Bowl ridge line to the Dicey’s Mill Trail at a point about a mile below the Passaconaway summit. We descended from there and had the loop’s only water crossing on Dicey’s Mill. The hiking distance of 9.8 miles with 2800 foot elevation change was completed in 7.5 hours, book time plus one hour for lunch and rest breaks.
The 4 mile Blueberry Ledge Trail has lower and upper ledges, the lower being less difficult and manageable with poles, but put them away for the upper ledges. The uppers are a challenging scramble demanding use of all fours. Reminded me of Baldface. Stone steps have been placed on a steep section between the lower and upper ledges. Outstanding views from the upper ledges encompass Sebago Lake, Lake Winnepesaukee, Chocura, Passaconaway and the Bowl. The Whiteface summit is further along the Rollins Trail and treed, so get your views in at the ledges.
Continuing along the treed ridge line, the Rollins Trails roller coasters up and down for 2.4 miles, gradually descending 700 - 800 feet. Soft tuff makes for pleasant trail footing. There are a few small lookout points out over the bowl along this section. Also noticeable are many blowdowns, all facing north, evidence of a fierce wind driving up the bowl face. Fortunately the trail was cleared of blowdowns.
The 3+ mile descent along Dicey’s Mill Trail was easy, made easier by the stone steps on the steep sections. The one water crossing over a felled tree was aided by a taught rope to steady ones balance.
Many hikers on the ledges took in the view on this glorious weather day, and there were several places to do so. Crowding was not an issue. We only passed one hiker on the ridge line, many apparently descending the shorter Blueberry Ledge route. No parking fee at the trailhead lot.
Blue Hills from Shea Rink
TRIP DATE: 8/8/2013
TRIP LOCATION: Blue Hills Reservation
WAS TRIP CANCELLED? (y/n): No
MEETING TIME: 5:45 PM
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 12
TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS): 2.5
LENGTH IN MILES: 4.8
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): 578
DIFFICULTY: C (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)
LEADER NAME(S): Joe Keogh, Michael Swartz, Jim Casey
CO-LEADER NAME(S):Jerry Yos
TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION: hea Rink Granite st. Braintree
CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?: TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS:
WAS TRIP WITHING WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST? No
IF YES TO ABOVE, DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:
WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: partly Cloudy
OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.) Nice night in the woods, a little muggy at times.
TRIP LOCATION: Blue Hills Reservation
WAS TRIP CANCELLED? (y/n): No
MEETING TIME: 5:45 PM
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 12
TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS): 2.5
LENGTH IN MILES: 4.8
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): 578
DIFFICULTY: C (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)
LEADER NAME(S): Joe Keogh, Michael Swartz, Jim Casey
CO-LEADER NAME(S):Jerry Yos
TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION: hea Rink Granite st. Braintree
CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?: TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS:
WAS TRIP WITHING WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST? No
IF YES TO ABOVE, DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:
WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: partly Cloudy
OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.) Nice night in the woods, a little muggy at times.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Blue Hills - Halfway Path toward Hancock Hill
TRIP DATE: August 15, 2013
TRIP LOCATION: Blue Hills: Halfway Path towards Hancock Hill
WAS TRIP CANCELLED? (y/n): N
MEETING TIME: 6:00 pm
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 18
TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS): 2
LENGTH IN MILES: 3.5
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): 690
DIFFICULTY: C (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy
)
LEADER NAME(S): Joe Keogh
CO-LEADER NAME(S):
TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION: Picnic area parking lot
CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?: N TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS:
WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: Excellent -- breezy and no mosquitos
OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.)
TRIP LOCATION: Blue Hills: Halfway Path towards Hancock Hill
WAS TRIP CANCELLED? (y/n): N
MEETING TIME: 6:00 pm
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 18
TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS): 2
LENGTH IN MILES: 3.5
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): 690
DIFFICULTY: C (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy
)
LEADER NAME(S): Joe Keogh
CO-LEADER NAME(S):
TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION: Picnic area parking lot
CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?: N TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS:
WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: Excellent -- breezy and no mosquitos
OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.)
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Blue Hills - Horse Bridge to Trails North of Ponkapoag Pond
TRIP DATE: August 1, 2013
TRIP LOCATION: Blue Hills – Horse Bridge to trails north of Ponkapoag (RLBH Series)
WAS TRIP CANCELLED? (y/n): N
MEETING TIME: 6:00 pm
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 22
TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS): 3
LENGTH IN MILES: 6.08 miles
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): ?
DIFFICULTY: D A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)
LEADER NAME(S): Joe Keogh
CO-LEADER NAME(S):
TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION: Donovan School in Randolph
CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?: No TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS:
WAS TRIP WITHING WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST? No
IF YES TO ABOVE, DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:
WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: Cloudy, humid, no rain
TRIP LOCATION: Blue Hills – Horse Bridge to trails north of Ponkapoag (RLBH Series)
WAS TRIP CANCELLED? (y/n): N
MEETING TIME: 6:00 pm
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 22
TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS): 3
LENGTH IN MILES: 6.08 miles
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): ?
DIFFICULTY: D A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)
LEADER NAME(S): Joe Keogh
CO-LEADER NAME(S):
TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION: Donovan School in Randolph
CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?: No TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS:
WAS TRIP WITHING WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST? No
IF YES TO ABOVE, DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:
WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: Cloudy, humid, no rain
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Blue Hills Chickatawbut Hill Area - RLBH
Trip date: 7-25-2013
Trip location: Blue Hills (RLBH Series), start in Chickatawbut Hill area
Was trip cancelled: No
Meeting time: 6:00 pm
Number of participants (including leaders): 9
Total hiking time: 2.5 hours
Length: 6 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous or very strenuous ( B or A)
Leader name: Michael Swartz
Co-leader name: none provided
Trailhead parking: Chickatawbut Road (no car spotting required)
Weather conditions: drizzle, cloudy
Trip location: Blue Hills (RLBH Series), start in Chickatawbut Hill area
Was trip cancelled: No
Meeting time: 6:00 pm
Number of participants (including leaders): 9
Total hiking time: 2.5 hours
Length: 6 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous or very strenuous ( B or A)
Leader name: Michael Swartz
Co-leader name: none provided
Trailhead parking: Chickatawbut Road (no car spotting required)
Weather conditions: drizzle, cloudy
South Carter Mountain, NH
DATE: June 22, 2013
Location: South Carter Mountain
Was Trip Cancelled: No
Meeting time: 9:00 am
Total time of hike: 6.6 hours
Length in miles: 9.2 miles
Elevation gain in feet: 3,226 feet
Difficulty (A-D rating): B (strenuous)
Leader: Leslie Carson
Co-leader: Sue Franconi-Salmon
Trailhead parking: 19 Mile Brook Trailhead (no car spotting required)
Was trip in WMNF? Yes - hike covered 19-Mile Brook Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Zeta Pass, Carter Moriah Trail
Weather conditions: sunny, warm, humid, light showers/sprinkles toward end of hike
Other comments: Good hike, nice day, just missed downpours a little later on...
Location: South Carter Mountain
Was Trip Cancelled: No
Meeting time: 9:00 am
Total time of hike: 6.6 hours
Length in miles: 9.2 miles
Elevation gain in feet: 3,226 feet
Difficulty (A-D rating): B (strenuous)
Leader: Leslie Carson
Co-leader: Sue Franconi-Salmon
Trailhead parking: 19 Mile Brook Trailhead (no car spotting required)
Was trip in WMNF? Yes - hike covered 19-Mile Brook Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Zeta Pass, Carter Moriah Trail
Weather conditions: sunny, warm, humid, light showers/sprinkles toward end of hike
Other comments: Good hike, nice day, just missed downpours a little later on...
Borderland State Park, Sharon, MA
TRIP DATE: July 20, 2013
TRIP LOCATION: Borderland State Park, Sharon MA
WAS TRIP CANCELLED? (y/n): n
MEETING TIME: 8:45 am
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 7
TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS): 3
LENGTH IN MILES: 6
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): n/a
DIFFICULTY: c (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)
LEADER NAME(S): Kathy Stanley
CO-LEADER NAME(S): Mike Kupkofska
TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION ample; DESCRIPTION: Borderland St Park Main Entrance
CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?: no TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS:
WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST? no
IF YES TO ABOVE, DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:
WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: hot and humid
TRIP LOCATION: Borderland State Park, Sharon MA
WAS TRIP CANCELLED? (y/n): n
MEETING TIME: 8:45 am
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 7
TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS): 3
LENGTH IN MILES: 6
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): n/a
DIFFICULTY: c (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)
LEADER NAME(S): Kathy Stanley
CO-LEADER NAME(S): Mike Kupkofska
TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION ample; DESCRIPTION: Borderland St Park Main Entrance
CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?: no TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS:
WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST? no
IF YES TO ABOVE, DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:
WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: hot and humid
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