Mt. Whiteface & Passaconway

Whiteface & Passaconway was our first hike since we got engaged on the top of Mt. Carrigain in June! I was excited to spend the day outdoors, taking in the beautiful fall foliage. It was a very nice day temperature wise, around 60 degrees at the start of the hike. We decided to take the Blueberry Ledge Trail up to the summit of Whiteface, traverse over the Rollins Trail to the summit of Passaconway and descend down Dicey's Mill Trail, just about 12 miles total. These two peaks are located in the Sandwich Range Wilderness.

We parked at the Ferncroft parking lot, and began the hike at 8am, with a bunch of other people. We decided to take the actual Blueberry Ledge Trail, but the rest of the people who started with us at took the cutoff trail. The distance was just about the same, and we decided it would be better to be alone than yo-yo hiking with a few large groups of people. I'm sure you all know what I mean by yo-yo hiking! Not fun. We actually did not see anyone again until the ledges on Whiteface.

Lots of people!

3.6 miles of fun!

First river crossing, luckily there was a beautiful bridge!

Pretty foliage

The trail was very well maintained

Here was an flat, open ledge area with beautiful views

Again, very well maintained

Here, was the first sight of the actual "ledges" This was a very steep drop off.

No hand rails, but they honestly weren't needed anyway

From here, the trail turns up to my right and continues on up!

The ledges on Mt. Whiteface were not too steep, but we were lucky with a dry day. In any kind of weather I would have felt a lot more nervous going up the ledges. There were a lot of look out areas, which give way to some beautiful views! We had an overcast day, so the views were not that impressive. We could see Mt. Chocorua & Tripyramid's, as well as Lake Winnipesaukee in the distance. The foliage was beautiful, although we might have been a week before "peak"! Not too far after, you will reach the false summit, which can easily be confused for the actual summit of Mt. Whiteface. Turn's out the actual summit is about 10 minutes into the hike across the Rollins Trail. It is a small cairn right on the side of the trail. I didn't even take a picture of it. We enjoyed lunch at the false summit, making small talk with a couple other hikers, then continued on to Mt. Passaconway via the Rollins Trail, and then Dicey's Mill Trail. 

Most likely hurricane damage

Dicey's Mill Trail

Headed up Mt. Passaconway!

The Summit of Mt. Passaconway is not nearly as exciting as Mt. Whiteface. It is wooded with limited views. There is a lookout before the actual summit where we took a little break to recover from the end of Dicey's Mill Trail, which is a little tough on tired legs.  We ended up meeting up with the same hiker's as on Mt. Whiteface, who felt the same way as us. After our short break, we headed back down Dicey's Mill Trail. I was hiking slow because my feet were hurting, and I noticed a tree that looked like it had been carved. I thought it was so pretty. Sean told me it was from moose rubbing their antlers to remove the soft "velvet" and as a way to mark territory for mating season. I thought it was very interesting, there were quite a few trees that looked this way. A little fun fact I never would have known otherwise.

Moose rubbings

A moose mushroom!

The descent down Dicey's Mill Trail felt like a lifetime but it was not too steep or difficult. There were signs of trail maintenance along the way, including wire and pulleys on the side of the trail, as well as newly built rock steps. Every time I went down a new set of steps, I silently thanked the trail workers who work so hard to keep the trails in excellent condition. Without them, we wouldn't have nearly as much fun hiking! I found this quote on the AMC website about trail maintenance...

"If you love the Northeast outdoors, chances are you have enjoyed some of the 1,400 miles of trails that the AMC maintains. At the AMC, maintaining trails means more than keeping them clear or marking them well so that people can find their way. Maintaining trails also means preserving them for future use, protecting the surrounding environment, and preserving a quality backcountry experience for all trail users." -Appalachian Mountain Club

Someday, I would love to give back and spend a day volunteering on the trails. I bet it would give a huge appreciation to what actually goes into maintaining the trails.

Mt. Whiteface & Passaconway are #24 & #25, which means we are officially half way done! It seems that we have done so many hikes together now, but still have a long way to go. 2013 has been very busy for us, only being able to bag 5 peaks. It doesn't look like we will get back up north until late December or January, so our next hike will be a winter one! I am so excited for 2014 (wedding!!!) and cannot wait to see what it has in store for us!

See you on the trails :)

Mt. Carrigain

Wow. That's still just about all I can say. The moment I had been patiently waiting for happened in the most perfect way possible. I am truly blessed!

Usually people hike Mt. Carrigain for their 48th peak because of the amazing 360 degree views. On a clear day, you can see over 40 of the 48 4,000 footers. We chose it for #23 because the weather was supposed to be perfect and wanted to be able to take in the views. We headed up to NH Friday night with my Dad on the motorcycles since it was bike week. What could be better than spending a weekend doing what we love the most?!

Saturday morning, we stopped for breakfast at Bagel's Plus (so yummy) and then made our way to the trail head. My dad saw us off and said he would be back later that afternoon once we were back down. Little did I know about a certain plan! We chose to hike the Signal Ridge Trail which is 10 miles RT. We were both happy that Sawyer River Road was reopened, so we didn't have to tack on an additional 4 miles like some people had to do when it was closed. I read that the trail was "relentless" so I was a little nervous. The first 1.7 miles until the trail splits are pretty flat. The elevation gain is saved for the last 3 miles!

Start of the hike

Signal Ridge Trail

5 miles to the summit!

Rocky trail

Sean at the stream crossing, thankfully the water was not too high

3.3 to go!

The first 1.7 miles were pretty flat, slightly muddy and quite buggy. I was fully prepared with my new bug hat and net to avoid the annoying black flys, but did not end up wearing it since there weren't any. The trail was full of mosquitos but bug spray did the trick to keep them away. The trail began to gain elevation after this point, but it was not nearly as steep as I expected. I had read the trail had no switch backs and was "relentless" but that was not the case, neither of us thought it was that bad. 

Blue bird sky

Enjoying the trail

Loving my new Gregory Pack, very comfortable

My hunny! The light makes me look like I have no eyebrows!

False summit- 0.5 mi. to go!

The fire tower at the summit

Mt. Carrigain 4,700'

Beautiful views

Mt. Washington & the Presidential Range

First time up the tower, it was windy and chilly!

Soaking in the views

<3

Signal Ridge

We went up the fire tire right away when we reached the summit to soak in the views. It was absolutely beautiful, we truly got lucky with a perfect day on the summit! We took a bunch of pictures but then headed down because it was windy and chilly on the tower. We took a long break, ate lunch and then looked at the map and decided we wanted to go up the tower again to place all of the peaks we had climbed that we could. I packed everything back into my bag, ready for our hike back down when we were finished. 

When we were back on the tower for a 2nd time, we met a couple people from my home town and someone else from only a few towns away. It's amazing how everywhere we go we meet people from home. 

After placing peaks and more pictures, I was ready to start the hike back down. I remember turning around to ask Sean if he was ready and noticed that he had pulled a little box out of his pocket and was beginning to get down on one knee. I immediately burst into tears because I knew what was coming. I covered my mouth in complete shock, what a perfect surprise! The man from my home town said, "quick, give me your camera" and I am so thankful I did. I wasn't quite sure what to do, so I just hugged Sean and somewhere in that moment I said yes and the ring was on my finger. I just stood there for a while in shock. I had been waiting for this moment, always wondering how Sean would do it. I could't have dreamt a more perfect proposal. 

The crowd was full of congratulations and kind words. Only in the hiking community are complete strangers so kind. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. We want to sincerely thank everyone who shared our big moment with us.

  

Right before the big event!!

Biggest surprise ever!

This captures the moment perfectly, I was in shock!

Tears of joy :)

So happy

Almost fell on my face a couple times on the way down checking this baby out!!

The hike back down was a joyful one, passing by quickly. We didn't hike too fast, talking about our future wedding and how excited we were. When we finally got back to the parking lot, my dad was waiting for us. I showed him the ring and started crying again! I was so happy that the two most important men in my life were both with me in that special moment.  

 

We were blessed with a perfect day, one that will never be forgotten. Now Mt. Carrigain holds a new meaning to us, a memory we will cherish forever :)