Hiking up Mt. Washington (forth time around) New: Taking Jewel Trail down

This is a view from up above on Mt Washington, you can see the cars coming up the Auto Road. It was a beautiful day for a hike.

Started up the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail to the the AMC Lake of the Clouds Hut. The trail was great to hike (as the last three times) It was my friends first time up to the top of Mt Washington so we started early (8:30am). I wanted to show her some of the locations my characters travel and live at, in my new book Minders of the Mountain such as the Gem Pool (where they get their crystals for power) and small trail to the cascades (where they live in caves). She loved it. The views were amazing since there was very little clouds at the time, and the weather was 80 degrees at the bottom and about 65 at the hut.

Us on the Ammonoosuc Trail

We made it to the Hut a little before 11:30am since we really enjoyed stopping to see views on the way up and then hiked the Crawford Path to the top. There was NO clouds at the time. Sun was strong and we grew tired. Since it was such a hot, nice Saturday, many were traveling the trails.
It was about 1:00pm when we reached the top, at that point I was tired and wishing I had put on more sun block. The soups at the top are amazing, I (of course) had the clam chowder with crackers. We walked around, visited the gift shop, took a few pics of the view, by now we were wearing light jackets. It was about 50 degrees at the top.

After visiting the top, we decided to take Jewel Trail back down, which I had never taken before. I loved hiking by the cog as it came down the tracks. I enjoyed seeing the Great Gulf on the Gulfside trail heading toward Jewel trail. Here are a few pictures on the way down...

Great Gulf

The cog in its way down

hiking over the tracks

 We made it down by 6:30pm to our cars. We were ready to go home and relax. I was glad I brought my flip flops for the drive home. The hike was 9.5 miles round trip. My legs were feeling sore for at least three days but it was worth it. The views were amazing!

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Thank you and Happy Hiking!! 

Adventures on Mt. Avalon in Crawford Notch

I have now hiked up to Mt. Avalon twice. Once in early spring with snow still three feet high and now in early summer. Both have been enjoyable, though this time I didn't have to worry so much about ice in the steep parts. The trail to hike in the Avalon Trail and it trails up 1.3 miles before turning left another .5 miles to Mt. Avalon.
 The view is amazing! You can see Mt. Washington in the distance and on the other side the valley of Crawford Notch. I was very happy it was a sunny day and could see all over. There are boulders to sit and eat lunch as you glance around. Hiking was a round trip of about five hours with time to eat lunch and take pictures. If you haven't hiked Mt. Avalon, I would say put it on your To-do list for hikes in the White Mountains. Park below near the Crawford Depot.

Here are a few pictures of the adventure:

Mt. Washington in the distance

Crawford Notch Valley

Climbing up the boulders we ate on at the top

A small acquaintance we hiked into a long the path

Happy Hiking and enjoy the views this summer!!!

Trail Report: Views from Mt. Hight 4675' (part one)

This past Monday I took a hike up Mt. Hight 4675' and over to Carter Dome 4832' before stopping in at AMC Carter Notch Hut. The hiking trip was 10.4 miles in all. This was a full day hike. We started a little before 10am and finished by 6pm. The views were amazing!!! Mt. Hight gave us 360 degree views.

The sign that leads you to Mt. Hight from 19 Mile Brook Tr

You travel on Route 16 to the start of the trail, which is close to Great Glen Trails. The trail you start on is 19 Mile Brook Trail for 1.9 before turning on Carter Dome Trail which you follow the rest of the way up to Mt. Hight.

View when nearing the top of Mt. Hight

One of the views from Mt. Hight

Another view, being Mt. Washington in clouds

It was a perfect day for  hike. I really enjoyed spending time on top of Mt. Hight. There are no trees, so wind was zipping through me. I recommend to take jackets and hats when you hike for the top. it was nice, but chilly.

Next post... Carter Dome and Hut

Happy Hiking!

Trail Report: Middle Sugarloaf 2539'

Middle Sugarloaf is 2539' and located in the White Mountains. You can get to the mountain by traveling on route 302 ad than head up Zealand Road, There is parking and it cost $3.00. The trail is 1.3 miles up to the top. You can also stop at North Sugarloaf along the way, which will add .3 miles to your hike one way. Each mountain has a view. My friend gave me a few of her pics when she wet hiking and said that she enjoyed the views from Middle Sugarloaf more, then North. The trail was mostly cleared, a few falling trees. Here are a few of the pictures I collected from her hike:

The trail up to the top of Mt. Middle Sugarloaf

The view of Mt.Washington

I love this picture. I have a picture also of my feet in the picture when hiking.

 Hope you have enjoyed these great pictures. My friend is thinking of starting her own Hiking Blog, I hope she does :) Happy Hiking!

Arethusa Falls Crawford Notch, White Mountains

A Half Frozen Arethusa Falls

 Arethusa Falls, 1.5 miles up the trail off of Route 302. Great place for a starter hike to kick off my hiking season. The fall was beautiful peaking through the snow.

A Close Up to the Falls, the water was hitting me as I snapped the picture.

 Loved how close up I was able to get with the snow still packed on the ground and the thick ice underneath. Probably won't be like that much longer with the nice weather coming up.

 This picture is of my friend close to the falls. She went to get a picture of water rushing down under the snow, in the small open section. You can see her in the distance. It was awesome on how close one could get to the fall this time of year. In the summer, I can only get to the log that is going across at the bottom of the picture.

MT. WASHINGTON with snow on a bright sunny spring day!

Mt. Washington And Hotel

Closer picture of Mt. Washington

The Mt. Washington Hotel is getting a face lift right now. They have been working on the outside of the hotel and heard also fixing some of the inside as well.

Happy Hiking!

On my way to Hike in Crawford Notch, I took this beautiful pic of Mt. Washington!

This picture was taken on Monday after we hiked in Crawford Notch. The sky was cloudy most of the morning but as we left that afternoon, the sun came out. I loved how the clouds formed over Mt. Washington and the Presidential Range. With the Hotel light up by the sun as well, it made for a beautiful picture.  Happy Hiking!

My favorite hiking snack! Plus Nov. Pic of The Presidential Range

 LUNA BARS!!!

So every time I go hiking, I have to have a Luna bar! I know that there are tons of hiking snacks out there but I just can't stop eating these bars! My favorite of all....The Luna Caramel Nut Brownie bar which is amazing! My stepson has his favorite also which is the S'mores! They have many flavors to pick from (Nutz Over Chocolate, White Chocolate Macadamia, Chocolate Peppermint..and more), but I have always had a bar on my hiking trip! They are great for energy and taste amazing!
I have also gone to the website and have put my address in for free stuff. Last year they sent me a small box with Chocolate Peppermint Clif Bar 432693 Luna Chocolate Peppermint Stick (Google Affiliate Ad), plus lip balm. It was a wonderful surprise! Eat it on a winter hike last year! If you ever want to try one on your hiking trip, you can pick them up almost any wheres these days. Some places will be more expensive then others. I have gotten them for $1.00 before on sale at a super market. If you are someplace here the hiking trails and pick it up for a snack, it could cost you close to $3.00 for one. I have seem them almost at $5.00 a few times.I am sure everyone has their favorite snack, but if you ever want to give Luna a chance, you will love the flavors!

Taken this November! Mt. Washington is to your right in this pic >

Happy Winter Hiking!

Three of my favorite trails in the White Mountains

I love hiking. When I get the chance, I'll hike in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Every year, when I hike, I find that there are some trails I enjoy hiking more than others. I have seen the views and look forward to seeing them again. I few trails in the White Mountains I have to visit all the time, each year, to get what I call "My fix". When I see the views, I almost go into a calming state and can just stare for hours without moving. Some of the views on these trails, make me feel like I am in some sort of Lord of the Rings Movie, I can see beautiful mountains that stretch on for miles. These three trails seem to always give me a feeling of leaving this world and being place in another. If you would like to trail on these trails, here they are:

1. The Air Line Trail: the journey up this trail is always exciting for me. It starts on Route 16, you can see a huge parking lot on one side that is normally full of cars. There are other trails that start at the same spot, but I always go up Air Line. I first hiked the trail back in 2004 and since then has visited it again over the years. I love when I get to the sign for the Alpine Zone. My heart starts beating faster because I know how amazing the views are up there. The trail rings around to the Mt. Madison Spring Hut and I seem to just take my time, I enjoy each step and stop to see all the views. this was the first time I felt like I was in Narnia or the Rings Movie. I was exploring a new world and meeting wonderful people along my way. Start of the Air Line trail to the Air Line Cutoff is 3.5 miles. It's worth the hike!

One of the first views you see when hiking up the trail

The mountain range

2. Another of my favorite trail to hike on is the Crawford Path. It doesn't seem to almost matter where on the Path I am, I just can't stop staring at the views. I really live the Path when I get close to Mt. Washington. You are so high up and you can see views from almost all sides. When I get closer to the top of Mt. Washington, I find myself turning around and taking pictures. My friends who hike with me say that it drives them crazy, for I am always stopping to see the views, but I can't help it! I am always in some sort of trance. So, as you are hiking from the Lake of the Clouds to the top of Mt. Washington, take a good look around, stop and breath in that wonderful mountain air, and enjoy the sights around you. I have to say, that is my most favorite part of the trail, which is 1.4 miles long.

On the Crawford path, looking back and seeing the lakes, mountains and hut.

3. I love hiking in Franconia Notch area. I have hiked just about all the mountains, but I got excited when my friend ask me last year to hike the Franconia Ridge. From Mt .Lafayette to Little Haystack we hiked the Franconia Ridge Trail which is 1.6 miles long. We had to make so many stops along the way for I needed pictures. My camera never seen so much use. Both sides the trail had great views but I loved the side that had no Parkway (highway 93). I loved the side where you could see the mountains stretch on for miles and miles.  If you ever have the chance to hike on this Ridge, it's worth all the views!

The view of the Parkway Valley

A view of the Ridge Trail and the mountains in the background

Now, I have many other wonderful trails that I love to hike and enjoy the views, these just happen to be my favorite so far. My adventures in the White Mountains are endless and every time I hike up, its a new experience. What are some of your favorite trails?

Happy Hiking!

Calenders of the White Mountains designed and taken by Ariel Snow

I love hiking! I love the mountains! I love going on an adventure through the White Mountains. As I hike, I enjoy taking pictures at every great spot, view, and lookout in the mountains. In the past few weeks I have worked on a calender for my house and at the same time wanted to make it public for others to put up in their homes to enjoy. My first degree was graphic design and I enjoy taking breathtaking pictures. In this Calender you will see beautiful photos of Mt. Washington, Lonesome Lake, Franconia Notch, Crawford Notch, The Lakes of the Clouds and many more.

Come and check out this stunning calender and get one for your home to enjoy! 

Premium Calender $28.95

Standard Calender $17.95

These Calenders came be found on my Author's Spotlight called Adventure Shop:

 Click HERE

HAPPY HIKING! :)

Trail Report: Madison Hut and Mt. Madison

One of my favorite hikes is Mt. Madison. Back in 2005 I did this hike for the first time and then I have done it three more times since. It's a beautiful hike but is not easy. This is more of a moderate hike but the views will be worth the journey up the mountain. When you start this hike, its best to start at the parking on Route 2 near Randolph Hill. During the summer the parking fills up fast so get there early. Some people enjoy taking the Valley Way Trail up to Madison Spring Hut, but I prefer Airline Trail. It's easy at first but the trail gets steeper as you hike up. When you reach the sign that lets you know you have reached the Alpine Zone.

The Alpine Zone Sign

Hiking on the Airline Trail in the Alpine Zone

 Once you are hiking in the Apline Zone, you are above tree level. Here you will follow rock piles until you reach Madison Spring Hut. I love being above tree line for you get to see views all the way around you. Once you are over at Madison Spring Hut, you can go inside for restrooms and for resting. I enjoy a snack or even just have lunch inside at one of the benches. There is also a lake called Star lake down the trail for viewing.

Mt. Washington from Mt. Madison (sometimes you can see the cars driving up_

The marker on Mt. Madison

After a rest, hike up to the top of Mt. Madison, it is rocky, climbing over boulders at times but it will be well worth it! The views are amazing! I love seeing Berlin, Jefferson, Mt. Washington, top of Mt. Wildcat and more all around me. The hike will take about six to seven hours. After hiking back down Mt. Madison and back to the hut, I normally take Valley Way back down to the parking lot. It's not as rocky and hard on your legs. The hike it worth going up and if you want to see views...then this is the hike for you! Mt. Madison is 5366'

Madison Spring Hut

Inside Madison Spring Hut (have benches, bathroom and sleeping rooms)

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: Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail to Lake of the Clouds/ Mt. Monroe

This past Friday I went hiking with my wonderful stepson. We decided to do Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail up to Lake of the Clouds Hut and then to the top pf Mt. Monroe. This trail is located in the Presidential Range near the Cog Railway. We started at the Base Road Parking lot and headed up the path. It was very easy for the first 2.1 miles. Here is a few pics of the beginning of our adventure:

This is the pay station at the Base. I payed 3.00 for the day

The sign at the start of the trail: 3.1 miles to the Hut

My stepson loved the wood walking paths

Mys stepson asked many times where we were and when we were going to get to the top. He is eleven and loves to get to where he is going. He was fine up until we got to the Gem Pool. After that it gets steeper  and he was tired. We did stop at the Cascades/Gorge which he loved. It wasn't to long before we were above tree line and seeing some wonderful views. He likes when we started seeing the piles of rocks. He counted 13 of them before we got to the Lake of the Clouds where we took a break inside and ate.

The Gem Pool

The Gorge

Walking up the path to see Lake of the Clouds Hut and Mt. Monroe

We stayed in the hut for about twenty minutes. They had made some blueberry muffins and brownies so we had each one. The food is good and the price for each item are not bad. It only cost a dollar for each of our items. Plus they had soup for two dollars. After we headed up the path called Monroe Loop which is about .3 miles to the top pf Mt. Monroe. You can do the loop all the way around and connect to Crawford Path but we just went back the way we came up. For his first time doing a large hike he did a great job of keeping to the path and staying safe. I tried to guide he the best I could, I hope he continues to hike well after he leaves our home someday, and knows how to hike safely.
It is always wonderful when I see families hiking together and the children are outdoors. It good for everyone to enjoy nature at it's best!

Lake of the Clouds Hut: The food table it to the right:)

Mt. Washington, Lakes of the Clouds, and Lake of the Clouds Hut when hiking up Mt. Monroe

Me at the top of Mt. Monroe with Mt Washington in the background

The loop path below that also heads to the Hut

This hike is 6.8 miles round trip and took us around 5 and half hours to do. We had a great time and hope that you enjoy your next hiking adventure. Happy hiking:)