Trip/Event Location: Pinkham Notch, NHUS
Trip Leader(s): baezfred , MO
Max # People: 10
Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money
Difficulty Level: Strenuous
Experience beautiful fall views on a White Mountain 4,000 footer! Presidential views from the top of Mt. Hight.
Hike up beautiful Nineteen Mile Brook trail, take the Carter Dome Trail to Zeta
Follow New Hampshire Route 16 north through Pinkham Notch. The trailhead parking area is on the right [east] side of the highway exactly 1.0 mile north of the entrance to the Mount Washington auto road.
The three of us had a (mildly late) brisk start in the notch while the sun was still rising on the other side the the mountain. We had great fall scenery en route to the main trailhead. Not to long after starting on the 19-Mile Brook Trail our fall scenery was swapped out for winterwonderland. Continuing on I dipped some fingers in the pond and we then made out way to the hut where unfortunately for Fred there was no hot chocolate.
Alas, we continued our ascent on carter dome, which included me yelling "oh wow look at that" over my shoulder regarding the view...every 20 feet...but could you blame me? the skies were crystal! Between the snow line and summit of carter dome we were still greeted with visions of a winter hopefully to come...not many signs of animals but the Candian Jays were out and about. They grabbed my attention with their bird song because it was delibrate and close by, the got very close to examine us and see if we were going to feed them, which we did not. They were very reluctant to land on my outstretched arm for there was nothing for them in return except for a photo op.
Passing some friendly hikers, we continued to Mt Hight where we had little glimpses through the trees but overall comfortable walk through the ridge, opting to use our spikes for the first time this season. Safety over slips!
Mt High did not dissapoint with 360 views, including a very snowy Mt Washington and notably Baldface Mountain, which the three of us hiked with another GO group a few weeks prior.
On our descent we tailed another group of hikers virtually all the way down. the sun began to set behind the wildcats which felt very full circle, and after we finished, since I had the time, I ran back up the trail to dip my toes in the stream.
Overall a beautiful tiring day! including the sunset on the way home.
thanks guys!
- The Trip Has No Photos -
Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous