Trip/Event Location: Campton, NHUS
Trip Leader(s): JPHiker
Max # People: 10
Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous
For a four thousand footer, this is a relatively moderate hike. The round trip will be 6.4 miles with a 2,000 foot ascent. The trail itself is moderately graded, with a steady upward
We will meet at the trailhead on Tripoli Rd. Directions are as follows: take exit 28 on I-93, and go east on Rt. 49 towards its end at Waterville Valley. As you enter the outskirts of the town, you will see Tripoli Rd. on the left. There are signs there directing you to the Waterville Valley ski slopes, so turn left there. However, when you get to the fork on the road, bear right onto Tripoli Rd. (the left fork takes you to the parking lot of the ski slopes). The trailhead parking lot is located just west of the height-of-land at the Thornton Gap. It is well marked, but is small, so it may be full when you get there. You can park on the side of Tripoli Rd. There is a fee for parking at the WMNF parking lot, but not if you park on the side of the road. We will meet by the trailhead kiosk.
Tim, Eric, Chris & Don, and Carlos hiked to the top of Mt. Osceola on a fine overcast day, for great views of Waterville Valley and surrounding peaks. By pure serendipity, Chris and Don had run into Tim and Carlos at the trailhead, as they had originally signed up for a Boston Bears hike of Mt. Osceola. Since the Bears did not show up, Chris and Don decided to join the GO event, and a great group of five GO members was spontaneously formed on the spot. If GO were to offer medals for outstanding achievement, Don would surely get one, as he hiked the entire 6.2 miles, up & down, barefooted. Chris followed wearing Vibram Five Fingers, which frankly is pretty close to hiking barefooted. The rest of us wore sturdy boots protecting our delicate feet.
It was a great day for a hike, with no rain (there had been a 30% chance of it), and as Eric pointed out, the clouds offered protection on the summit from what would otherwise had been a merciless sun. After the hike we all went over to Campton's Sunset Grill, where we had dinner, beer, and great conversation wondering how different life would have been if humans had tails. You know, as in having your tail wag incessantly when you run into a good looking guy, to your everlasting chagrin. OK, I'm getting silly here, so suffice it to say that a great time was had by all.
- The Trip Has No Photos -
Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate
Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous
