grouseking
Well-known member
If that view of Mt Washington doesn't get you pumped for winter hiking, I don't know what will! Yesterday (10/23) I hiked up Sandwich Dome, and Jennings Peak on a quite cold and blustery day. The first cold day of the year is always a shock to the skin, and it stayed in the 30s the entire hike, except the upper 20s at the summit. As you will see in the pics, there was some ice and snow along the way. All it takes is a small dusting to freshen up the trail and make it look pretty. Our route was a pretty standard one...up Sandwich Mtn trail, down Drakes Brook, with the normal side trip over to Jennings Peak, which in my opinion, has better views from its two or three different outlooks than Sandwich. And now, without further ado, the visual section of the report.
The somewhat wide, rocky and icy section of Drakes Brook. It was a fairly straight forward crossing when you crossed on rocks with some water over them. Other rocks had a thin coating of ice on them.
Down low, there was some leftover foliage...this is prob the end of the line for leaves
And now, into the wild!
The Sandwich Mtn trail is fairly steep during its first two miles, and after the wilderness sign, it kicks into high gear and becomes almost overly steep. There are one or two sections, though short, that remind me of the steep section above the gem pool on the Ammy trail heading to Lakes. Of course this pic doesnt really tell the story, but since you are all hikers, you know what I'm talkin about.
After some breaks, and methodical pushing up thru the steep stuff, we made it up to the views along Noon Peak.
It was along this elevation that we came across our first "accumulation" of snow of the year. Not much, but it really helps to freshen up the trail.
I tell you, this is SERIOUS business
After some time, we made it to the summit, and were greeted to very distant views, beautiful skies, cold temps and colder wind chills.
Good afternoon, Franconia Ridge!
And you too, Moosilauke
ANd to you, Mad River Notch
cont in a minute
