Hikes of 2017

This year has been special, as it was the first full year I've really enjoyed hiking. In the beginning, I still really enjoyed hiking but I didn't really understand what was out there to hike. I started looking into mountains in August of 2016, so that year wasn't a full year of my new found thrill. The hike that inspired me to start researching was Mt.Hale and Mt.Zealand in 2016.

Taken From Zealand Notch

However, this post isn't about my inspiration to hike. It's about all the hikes we did in the past year. Our first hike was Mt.Kearsarge and our last was Mt.Tekoa. When we did Mt.Tekoa, sure it was cool (that's not a joke it was 3 degrees) but it wasn't really individual blog worthy. I will be covering a few of the coolest hikes we did this year. These are oldest to newest and not best to worst.

Kearsarge North (6/1/17): Kearsarge North was an amazing hike. At only 3,268 feet it feels like a 4,000 footer. Just an ordinary hike to the summit is a pleasant experience, we didn't climb it at an ordinary time however. We were staying at Attitash the whole week and decided to wake up at 2:00 AM to do a hike. I picked Kearsarge North and we hiked up in the dark. When we reached the summit we were stunned to witness the most beautiful sky we had ever seen.

The Fire Tower On Kearsarge North

The sun was a bright, vibrant orange as it rose above the sea of clouds which surrounded every peak we could see. We saw Mt.Washington, Mt.Shaw, Mt.Chocorua and even Sugarloaf Mountain way out in Carrabassett Valley, Maine.

The Sun Rising Above The Clouds

Mt.Tom (6/27/17): Do not confuse this next one with the 4,000 footer in the White Mountains, this peak is the complete opposite. Well definitely not the best treated mountain (there are multiple antennae and old foundations) it had very nice views for Massachusetts. This peak is part of the long Metacomet Ridge going from New Haven, Connecticut to Greenfield, Massachusetts. My experience on the mountain was my first time on the Metacomet Ridge. We followed the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail when we did it. The trail utilized the old foundations of the burnt down summit house.

A Portion Of The Old Walkway Overlooking Easthampton

There are some very nice views from the ridge including from the sub-peaks of Deadtop and Whiting Peak. Deadtop had one of the highest and steepest cliffs I had ever seen.

The Cliffs On Deadtop

If you live in the Connecticut River Valley then this is a hike I would recommend. If you want to start hiking this is a good place to do it as most of it is ridge walking. There's one disclaimer, if you have a really bad fear of heights then do not do this hike.

Mt.Crawford & Mt.Stairs (7/9/17): Along with Kearsarge North and a few others this has to be one of my favorite hikes of all time. Both Crawford and Stairs are 52 With A Views. If you want open rock with great views for a shorter hike, then I would recommend Mt.Crawford. 

Some Ledges Off The Trail

Although Mt.Stairs only has one viewpoint, I still really liked it. It just felt like a 4,000 footer. Both peaks are some of the best in New England and I highly recommend them.

Mt.Stairs (Left) Gets Its Name From Its Distinctive Shape

Tumbledown Mountain (8/28/17): This was the last hike I did in the summer of 2017 and it went out with a bang. I honestly have no way of describing this mountain. I'll have the pictures explain the beauty of this peak.

The Peaks Over Tumbledown Pond

Tumbledown Pond From The Highest Peak

Not only is there an alpine pond with an island, but there is an alpine peak with herd paths where you can get away from the crowds of the other peaks and enjoy the incredible views. That's what we did, and we will definitely be returning.

Honorable Mentions:

Baldpate With Its Huge Steep Ledges

Burnt Hill In Carrabassett Valley Is A Secluded Peak With An Extensive Alpine Area

The Sunset From Bald Mountain In Weld, Maine

Mt.Hunger and White Rocks Rise Over Stowe, Vermont

Jay Peak and Big Jay Are Two Great 100 Highest

Of course I finished the New England 67 this year, but I will have a whole upcoming blog about my journey completing the list. All you need to know now is that this year I finished the New Hampshire 48 on Mt.Adams and the New England 67 on Hamlin Peak. I don't know what the next year will bring but  I want 2018 to not just be focused on reaching peaks but also going on adventures to new places. I already know of a few places I want to go. Happy New Year!

Equinox Mountain and Lookout Rock

Last Saturday my dad and I went to hike Equinox Mountain (3,855) because I'm working on the New England 100 Highest. The lower portions of the mountain were snow free but the upper portions had up to an inch of snow. I printed a map of the trails the previous night only to find a kiosk with trail guides. We took the Red Gate Trail to the Blue Summit Trail which we took all the way up to the top. We then took a side trail to Lookout Rock (3,672).

Equinox Mountain is actually the highest point in the Taconic Range and the most prominent mountain in the Appalachian Mountains under 4,000 feet. The name of the mountain is commonly thought to be from Captain Partridge leading his cadets to march to the top of the mountain for barometric observations during the autumnal equinox. The name could also be a corruption of the Native American name "Ekwanok" which means "the top of the place" when translated.

The Red Gate Trail is likely an old logging road. The lower parts of the mountain were completely covered in trails leading to other lookouts and a pond, but we were interested in getting to the top. The Blue Summit Trail was an old road for most of the way as well, but it still got steep in some places. A perfect word to describe the lower portion of the trail is strenuous. After following the old road for a while, you come to a junction where the Blue Summit Trail leaves the road. A side trail leads to a small spring which still had plenty of water. There was a bench and sign explaining the habitat of the American Marten.

As I said, we left the road and followed an actual trail for the rest of the hike. It started to get icy, but not icy enough for crampons. It flatten out once we reached the boreal forest and we got to the junction for Lookout Rock. We continued to the summit and saved Lookout Rock for later. We reached the summit which is home to the Saint Bruno Scenic Viewing Center. The building was closed so we couldn't reach the upper decks which offered better views. Even though we couldn't reach the the upper portions of the building, we still got some great views. We could see Killington Peak and Mt.Greylock.

The plaque for the Saint Bruno Viewing Center

Dorset Peak

After being on the summit for a while, it started to get cold so we headed to Lookout Rock. On the trail to Lookout Rock, there is a memorial for a dog and a bench. We found a viewpoint thinking it was Lookout Rock but we were wrong. The trail kept going until it reached a rock with a bench which had to be it.

Lookout Rock

Overall it was a good day and a good choice. It's definitely one of the better mountains in Vermont. I would highly recommend it for anyone who wants a quick hike with great views. If you decide to climb be sure to head to Lookout Rock. The whole hike was under 8 miles including the side trip. I'll be coming back when the Saint Bruno Scenic Viewing Center is open and running.