Mount Chocorua, NH, 05/13/07

threecy · May 14, 2007, 10:40 AM

Mt. Chocorua, NH

Date Hiked: 05/13/07

Trails(s) Hiked: Liberty Trail

Total Distance: 7.8 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Conditions: A few isolated patches of mud/running water/ice/snow...leaves out at lower elevations

Special Equipment Required: None

After spending just about a week mostly off my feet, I decided to test out my knee.

Originally, this weekend was scheduled for Katahdin, and then more recently, Old Speck. With the knee injury, driving isn't really too comfortable, so I decided to do something close to home without an extreme amount of challenge (the beginning of this hike is easy, with the only somewhat difficult part being the last ascent up the rocks on the west side of Mount Chocorua).

Wearing a brace and having recently taken some Aleve, I felt decent at the trailhead. Not too long after, on the first descent, I started feeling the discomfort that I've grown accustomed to. This went away, however, once the actual ascent started...in fact, most of the climb as pain free.

While there was a large crowd gathering at the Paugus Mill Road parking lot, there were only two people on the summit when I arrived. The views, though a bit hazy, were still rather good - south past Moose Mountain, west to Cardigan, east beyond Pleasant Mountain, and north beyond Mt. Washington. The temperatures during the hike were perfect - lower 60s, clear blue sky. On the summit, the temperature was probably in the lower to mid 50s with a consistant breeze.

On the descent, I passed quite a few people, making me glad I summitted as relatively early as I did. My knee, however, was increasingly unhappy with me doing this hike at all. As things steepened on the descent, the discomfort turned to pain. By the end of it all, my limp was worse than ever.

All in all, I'm glad I did get out, as the weather was just about perfect. Though there were a few patches of mud/running water/ice/snow, most of the trail was in good shape. Crowds, at least for the first half of the hike, were minimal. The trail itself, starting at the junction at the top of the ridge, was very scenic. Nonetheless, I'll be off my feet for awhile longer, hopefully letting this knee injury recover.

Looking west from the Mount Chocorua summit at Mt. Paugus, Mt. Whiteface, and Mt. Passaconaway

**Mike P.** · May 16, 2007, 12:33 PM

Nice TR, now get some rest so you can get back out there!

threecy · May 16, 2007, 1:40 PM

We shall see! I'm not seeing much in way of a recovery, so the next step is to see if it gets worse with use. If the pain remains the same and I see no loss of range of motion, then I'm just going to see if I can keep going through it. All of this rain of course makes it easier to sit around and rest!

**Greg** · May 16, 2007, 1:46 PM

Get well soon!

threecy · May 16, 2007, 4:42 PM

Thank, hope to be healthy in time for ski season!

montvm · May 20, 2007, 7:49 PM

How did you hurt your knee.

I've been away from the forum for a while.

Nice report.

Hope your feeling better soon.

Mike

threecy · May 20, 2007, 9:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montvm

How did you hurt your knee.

I've been away from the forum for a while.

Nice report.

Hope your feeling better soon.

Mike

Welcome back! Ya, Moosilauke...still gimping, but I think I'm improving...tendons are seeming to finally tighten up a bit, but I stil need the side support brace to get around comfortably. Hope to be able to write some trip reports again real soon!

May 14, 2007, 10:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
threecy Mt. Monadnock, NH Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Tamworth, NH Posts: 892	Mount Chocorua, NH, 05/13/07 Mt. Chocorua, NH Date Hiked: 05/13/07 Trails(s) Hiked: Liberty Trail Total Distance: 7.8 miles Difficulty: Moderate Conditions: A few isolated patches of mud/running water/ice/snow...leaves out at lower elevations Special Equipment Required: None After spending just about a week mostly off my feet, I decided to test out my knee. Originally, this weekend was scheduled for Katahdin, and then more recently, Old Speck. With the knee injury, driving isn't really too comfortable, so I decided to do something close to home without an extreme amount of challenge (the beginning of this hike is easy, with the only somewhat difficult part being the last ascent up the rocks on the west side of Mount Chocorua). Wearing a brace and having recently taken some Aleve, I felt decent at the trailhead. Not too long after, on the first descent, I started feeling the discomfort that I've grown accustomed to. This went away, however, once the actual ascent started...in fact, most of the climb as pain free. While there was a large crowd gathering at the Paugus Mill Road parking lot, there were only two people on the summit when I arrived. The views, though a bit hazy, were still rather good - south past Moose Mountain, west to Cardigan, east beyond Pleasant Mountain, and north beyond Mt. Washington. The temperatures during the hike were perfect - lower 60s, clear blue sky. On the summit, the temperature was probably in the lower to mid 50s with a consistant breeze. On the descent, I passed quite a few people, making me glad I summitted as relatively early as I did. My knee, however, was increasingly unhappy with me doing this hike at all. As things steepened on the descent, the discomfort turned to pain. By the end of it all, my limp was worse than ever. All in all, I'm glad I did get out, as the weather was just about perfect. Though there were a few patches of mud/running water/ice/snow, most of the trail was in good shape. Crowds, at least for the first half of the hike, were minimal. The trail itself, starting at the junction at the top of the ridge, was very scenic. Nonetheless, I'll be off my feet for awhile longer, hopefully letting this knee injury recover. Looking west from the Mount Chocorua summit at Mt. Paugus, Mt. Whiteface, and Mt. Passaconaway Last edited by threecy; May 16, 2007 at 1:41 PM. Reason: Opps, had this labelled as Moosilauke in the message body!

May 16, 2007, 12:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mike P. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: CT Posts: 1,486	Nice TR, now get some rest so you can get back out there! __________________ Happy Trails, be safe & Good Luck Mike P.

May 16, 2007, 1:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
Greg Sundown: 11.30.08 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Thomaston, CT Posts: 22,487	Get well soon! __________________ Greg 10/29, 11/21, 11/28, 11/30

May 20, 2007, 7:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
montvm Mt. Cardigan NH Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Danielson CT Posts: 137	Just Curious How did you hurt your knee. I've been away from the forum for a while. Nice report. Hope your feeling better soon. Mike

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

May 16, 2007, 1:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
threecy Mt. Monadnock, NH Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Tamworth, NH Posts: 892	We shall see! I'm not seeing much in way of a recovery, so the next step is to see if it gets worse with use. If the pain remains the same and I see no loss of range of motion, then I'm just going to see if I can keep going through it. All of this rain of course makes it easier to sit around and rest!

May 16, 2007, 4:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
threecy Mt. Monadnock, NH Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Tamworth, NH Posts: 892	Thank, hope to be healthy in time for ski season!