Date(s) Hiked: September 30, 2006
Trails(s) Hiked: Barlow up, Winslow down.
Total Distance: 3.0 miles rt.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate (Winslow is rough in places)
Conditions: Fair to good. Fall foliage near peak, visibility 100 miles.
Special Required Equipment: The trail map of the area. Some warm clothing for top and good traction for ascent/descent of Winslow.
Trip Report: It had been a few weeks since we had been in the mountains, so I suggested a quick run up Kearsarge (South) near New London before some apple picking. It was an easy and pleasant 45 minute drive door-to-door (OK, Ms. TB says 47 :wink: we had a bet going....). The ranger was charging at the gate...$3 per person, which was not bad considering that the view from the lot was
It was a very nice nice state park. Imagine the Cardigan West Parking lot, only paved, flush toilets, clear views, and some nice picnic areas. Well worth it.
Kearsarge is a familiar sight to many in Central New Hampshire. She looms above Concord and the surrounding area. Though she is under 3000 feet tall, she stands all alone and is visible for almost the entire drive of I-89 in New Hampshire. A fire tower and a tall communications tower on the summit distinguish it from a distance. It is a mountain that I had looked at and admired for some time...pondering if there was a trail to the top. Today was the day to check it out :beer:
Looking at the map and doing some research, I learned that the Winslow Trail, though short, was a steep one mile climb. So when asked, Ms. TB opted for the longer and steadier Barlow Trail for the ascent. It slabbed eastward across the mountain before ascending the ridge at a good pitch and pace. Just before the top, there were two great vistas--one to the NW and one to the N and NE. Views were great, but it was a sample of what was to come.
Like Cardigan, the upper summit was rock, although not as conical as the former and instead a rather flat, broad ridge. We made it to the top in good time and relaxed, taking in the spectacular views, foliage, and sunshine From the summit, one could see Monadnock, Stratton/Snow (?),Sunapee, Ascutney, Killington, Monroe Skyline (Abe, Sugarbush), Camel's Hump over 100 miles away (!), Spruce Peak and the Worcester Hills, Smarts, Cardigan, Moosilauke, an interesting perspective of Cannon (the cliffs and the notch), Franconia Ridge and Liberty/Flume, Garfield (?), Twins/Bonds, Washington, Choucura, Waterville Valley/Sandwich Peaks, Gunstock, Winnepausakee, Pawtuckaway, Agamentacus (?), Pats Peak, Crotched, Wapack Range and maybe...maybe Wachusett in Massachusetts! So in sum, the 2900 foot summit packs a stellar view from its bare summit...the view from the tower was good, except for the 169 foot radio tower that pierces the skyline :roll:
We took some pics, especially of the foliage and the nearby lakes, and then descended Winslow, which was wet, steep, and rocky. Tread with care. It dropped straight down the fall line before cutting back to the parking lot at the bottom. We had a sllooowww descent, but nothing bad.
At the parking lot, we milled around, enjoyed the view and the nice picnic area. Another gem within an hour of our place with great views and a big mountain feel!
Trails(s) Hiked: Barlow up, Winslow down.
Total Distance: 3.0 miles rt.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate (Winslow is rough in places)
Conditions: Fair to good. Fall foliage near peak, visibility 100 miles.
Special Required Equipment: The trail map of the area. Some warm clothing for top and good traction for ascent/descent of Winslow.
Trip Report: It had been a few weeks since we had been in the mountains, so I suggested a quick run up Kearsarge (South) near New London before some apple picking. It was an easy and pleasant 45 minute drive door-to-door (OK, Ms. TB says 47 :wink: we had a bet going....). The ranger was charging at the gate...$3 per person, which was not bad considering that the view from the lot was
It was a very nice nice state park. Imagine the Cardigan West Parking lot, only paved, flush toilets, clear views, and some nice picnic areas. Well worth it. Kearsarge is a familiar sight to many in Central New Hampshire. She looms above Concord and the surrounding area. Though she is under 3000 feet tall, she stands all alone and is visible for almost the entire drive of I-89 in New Hampshire. A fire tower and a tall communications tower on the summit distinguish it from a distance. It is a mountain that I had looked at and admired for some time...pondering if there was a trail to the top. Today was the day to check it out :beer:
Looking at the map and doing some research, I learned that the Winslow Trail, though short, was a steep one mile climb. So when asked, Ms. TB opted for the longer and steadier Barlow Trail for the ascent. It slabbed eastward across the mountain before ascending the ridge at a good pitch and pace. Just before the top, there were two great vistas--one to the NW and one to the N and NE. Views were great, but it was a sample of what was to come.
Like Cardigan, the upper summit was rock, although not as conical as the former and instead a rather flat, broad ridge. We made it to the top in good time and relaxed, taking in the spectacular views, foliage, and sunshine
From the summit, one could see Monadnock, Stratton/Snow (?),Sunapee, Ascutney, Killington, Monroe Skyline (Abe, Sugarbush), Camel's Hump over 100 miles away (!), Spruce Peak and the Worcester Hills, Smarts, Cardigan, Moosilauke, an interesting perspective of Cannon (the cliffs and the notch), Franconia Ridge and Liberty/Flume, Garfield (?), Twins/Bonds, Washington, Choucura, Waterville Valley/Sandwich Peaks, Gunstock, Winnepausakee, Pawtuckaway, Agamentacus (?), Pats Peak, Crotched, Wapack Range and maybe...maybe Wachusett in Massachusetts! So in sum, the 2900 foot summit packs a stellar view from its bare summit...the view from the tower was good, except for the 169 foot radio tower that pierces the skyline :roll: We took some pics, especially of the foliage and the nearby lakes, and then descended Winslow, which was wet, steep, and rocky. Tread with care. It dropped straight down the fall line before cutting back to the parking lot at the bottom. We had a sllooowww descent, but nothing bad.
At the parking lot, we milled around, enjoyed the view and the nice picnic area. Another gem within an hour of our place with great views and a big mountain feel!
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