Trail Report: Tuckerman Ravine Trail Pinkham Notch

I haven't hiked over in Pinkham Notch in a few years so I was excited to get a chance to drive over to the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center on Route 16. The Pinkham Notch Center is  in between Wildcat and Glen Ellis Falls. At the Center there are many trails you can hike and if you want to stay for a night or longer HERE TO SEE ABOUT LODGING on Joe Dodge Lodge at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center. I enjoy visiting the gift shop and also great place to eat.
The trail we took was the Tuckerman Ravine Trail which starts at the Center and headed up to Hermit Lake Shelters. The trail is very rocky and opened. It is easy to hike up as a group and stay together for you can see long distance in most parts plus its wide. When you are .4 miles on the trail you will also come up to Crystal Cascade which is beautiful. There are a few bridges to cross but the hike is wonderful. Its 2.3 miles to the Center to Hermit Lake Shelters. 

The sign at the beginning to show the trails

The information board to check out before going on trail

Crystal Cascade

What you see when you reach Hermit Lake Shelters: Tunkerman Ravine

Now, from here we went another .7 miles to get closer to the base floor of the Ravine bowl. We had started hiking a little late in the day so we didn't have time to go up to Lion Head. Lion Head is located up on top of Tuckerman Ravine on the right side. My stepson enjoyed getting water from a Pump that was near the trail going to the base of the bowl. The water was cold which was wonderful.

getting fresh cold water from the pump

Close to the Base of the bowl

Can see Wildcat from the Base of Tuckerman

The hike was wonderful. It was a 6 miles hike round trip. Its a great hike for everyone to do and its a very well kept up trail. Happy Hiking!

Trail Report: Caps Ridge Trail to Mt. Jefferson

I love hiking in the Presidential Range in the White Mountains. This trip was a hike up to the top of Mt. Jefferson hiking up the Caps Ridge Trail. I had done this trail a few years back so wanted to relive some fond memories and make new ones. To find where the trail starts you will be driving on the Base Road heading to the Cog Station, about a mile before you will turn on Jefferson Notch Road and drive 1.4 miles until you reach an elevation of 3009ft. There will be a Huge sign that will tell you that you have reached your destination and there is parking. Once you had to pay to park but now its free.

The sign on the road to show you that you have arrived at parking

The old sign at the start of the trail. Mt Jefferson 2.4 miles

At the start of the trail its easy hiking. It was muddy in a few spots and sometimes the trail got narrow but it was clean. After hiking about a mile you will get to your first clearing at the Glacial Potholes. Its a nice view which we sat for a few moments and then continued along our journey. The next mile you travel through the Ridge of the Caps. This is when you will be almost climbing in some parts. The more we hiked/climbed up, the more windy and cold it got. You will be above tree line for the caps and the wind can be strong at times.

The caps as we past around and over them.

My friend who hiked ahead so I could show how steep some places where to hike and climb up

After the mile we reached another marker that read we had .4 miles to the top of Mt. Jefferson. The .4 miles are all boulders and rocks to the top. The wind was strong when we reached the top and when you looked over at Mt. Washington, you could see how fast the clouds where traveling. One minute you show the top of Mt. Washington, the next you didn't.

The sign to show you are almost to the top!

Now you see the top of Mt. Washington Observatory Station

A few minutes later... you don't see the top of Mt. Washington Observatory Station

Over all the hike was amazing. It took us a good six hours to hike up and down, while enjoying the amazing views. This can be a tough hike but great for those up for a challenge.
It's also a 4000 footer, making 5716'! Happy Hiking!

Trail Report: Cannon Mt, Kinsman Ridge Trail

Want to see views from the top of Cannon Mt. in Franconia Notch but don't want to take them tram? You can always hike the trail near by called Kinsman Ridge Trail which is a 2.0 miles to the top of the mountain. The trail starts at the Base Parking, you walk down a small construction road until you see a sign. The trail is not a rocky trail at first. It is mostly made of crushed small rocks, dirt, which can make the trail slippery on the way down. I fell once sliding, my stepson thought it was a fun ride! You hike past the slippery part to a more rocky area which then you can see the Echo Lake. The view is beautiful. Here are a few pictures of the start of the hike:

The starting sign for the trail

The trail on the way up, gravel rocks

The view of Echo Lake

Once you are about a little over half way to the top of Cannon Mt. there is a OUTLOOK, which you will see a sign for. There are some beautiful views. You are near cliffs so be safe when walking along them. I really enjoyed walking around and taking pictures. I am a bit of a daredevil so I did get as close as I could to any edge for pictures which made my party nervous for me. 
Here are some pictures taken on the Outlook:

The view at the Outllook

The view was so breathtaking that it was hard to leave!

Looking down at Highway 93 curving through the Notch!

Where I was standing at the Outlook to where my stepson and husband were, I was the closest to the edge

We continued up to the Lookout Tower after on Cannon Mt. There you will mix with travelers and people who came up on the tram. It gets a little crowded. You will also get some great views up there and see other views. I will say that it was a wonderful hike. My stepson gave it a 6 out of ten. He left it was a steep hike from the start for him. He wasn't into it as much as other hikes. He did enjoy the trail between the Outlook and the Rim Trail on top. You are out in the open more and you can see views along the way. The hike all together was 4.0 miles. It took about four and half hours for us to do and enjoy the views. Cannon Mt. was also a 4000 footer, being 4077'
Hope you enjoyed the pictures and HAPPY HIKING!