Got out again on Saturday to get my friend into the 30s on her list. Why settle for one when you can get two?
On such a gorgeous day we figured we could avoid crowds by hitting the trail early and choosing a trail
that we thought would be less travelled. The Hancocks won. We got out of Dodge
just after six and had boots on trail about 7:30.



For those who have hiked these, you know there is quite a warm-up.



Water everywhere. The levels were low, but again, good to see and hear it.



LOTS of crossings, all easy enough as long as you keep in mind that what looks wet could well be iced.



I like wilderness, but I like trails with jcts too. Nice to have the benchmarks



I've been both clockwise and counter, but we felt the others on the trail, including a few with poorly trained
dogs would go the clockwise route. We chose the latter. Well chosen.



South summit, looking down beginning of traverse over to North. It was a tad chilly up top, with gusting winds and lower temps.
Grateful for my puffy down.



Walking in a winter wonderland. It was SO quiet through here.



Checking out the pack. Pretty sure it was met with approval.



Lookout! Incoming!!



Parting shot. Water was c-c-c-cold.

Love the incoming bird shot!



Terry

I thought most of the river crossings were removed. Or did you take the older trail?

The only thing I don't like about the counter clockwise route is the re-climb at the end of the loop. Glad to see SOMEONE is still hiking in NH Good to read some reports again.

Do you not care for reports from outside NH? there have been a bunch of those.

Nah, just weird phrasing. I meant good to read Kathy's reports again... I know we can always count on write-ups and awesome photos from GG and thegibba

One of these days I will venture back out and hopefully entertain you all with a report of my own. It's been a rough year for my hiking, unfortunately priorities have been elsewhere and I need to correct that problem.

Good to hear! Cause there are more coming!

Hey now! It's not just us. I think far more people hike/post on trips out of NH than in NH these days. Joe/Bob, Hardcore/NH, the Mudfuns, Hiker0200. Lots of love for the Maine mountains, Vermont peaks, Daks... actually, I think Kathy is the only one who doesn't hike/post out of state stuff. She's the last holdout among the regular posters.

Nooooooooooo....he just likes me better than you guys.

Are you kidding??? I hike SO MUCH out of state it'd make your boots spin!! Sheesh. I mean c'mon. There's, uhm, you know, that place er, over near the uhm, ah, by the old whatsitcalled....

I didn't want to hurt their feelings.

That, and how can he miss us if we wont go away!!

That reminds me, a Cascade/Porter trip report is on its way !

Thanks for the trip report. I'm headed up there Saturday.