Trip Report/Photos from JDNnh
Mount Kearsarge Elevation 2,937 feet Located in Warner and Wilmot, New Hampshire. The summit views are majestic and it is home to both Winslow and Rollins state parks. Because of its easy accessibility from the parks and outstanding summit vistas, Mt. Kearsarge is a popular hiking destination. Views include nearby Sunapee, Ragged and Cardigan mountains and more distant Mt. Monadnock and Ascutney. On very clear days views extend to the White Mountains, the Green Mountains of Vermont, the Atlantic Ocean and Boston. The exposed granite summit is a good place to see evidence of past glacial activity.
During the glacial period more than 25,000 years ago, a great ice sheet more than a mile thick moved over Kearsarge and much of New Hampshire. Glacial striations; grooves cut in rock by the movement of glacial ice, can be seen on the summit, as well as on ledge outcroppings in the Winslow picnic area. In addition, large boulders, called glacial erratics, can be seen from the trails. The mass of ice was powerful enough to move the boulders, which were left behind when the ice sheet retreated. The bare summit is the result of a 1796 forest fire which burned the vegetation and exposed the soil to wind and water erosion.
We began our hike from Winslow State Park and took the Winslow Trail up and used it to get back down. The trail begin with a pleasant grade and after the half way point becomes steep with rock/ledgy pitches. Being spring in NH, there was no snow or ice where we parked but did find it higher up. It wasn't necessary to put on micro spikes.
At one point on the hike looking west we could see 5 ski areas from NH into Vermont. Mt Washington was visible to the north with a one hundred mile infinity view into Canada. Blue bird days make for excellent views! The wind was blowing mightily on the summit with 30 mph gusts. Luckily the abundant sunshine kept us warm as we hunkered down by the fire tower for lunch.
This mountain is located west of Concord, NH and stands by itself to create an unforgettable 360 panarama with Mt Monadnock and the towers of Boston visible to the south. We did this hike = up and down within 3 hours including lunch.
Plenty of parking near the trailhead -- Winslow State Park has picnic tables, pavilion and bathroom. There is a fee to park - $4.00 per person. Well worth the money.
