The Winter Mountains after the rain, snow and the ice!

Driving through Jefferson I noticed how amazing the clouds were on top of the 

White Mountains in front of me (Presidential Range). The clouds followed the ridge 

and then you can see white snow under the clouds. 

So beautiful. I had to stop for a picture. 

 

 As I drove on route 2 I noticed the sun was setting behind the mountains, so I snapped a picture to share. Such a gorgeous sky!

When I got near the parking place that starts the hike up to Mt. Madison, I noticed three cars in the lot. After the rain, snow and ice we had the past few days, I hope the hikers had just started their hike and were safe someplace up in the mountains.

 I took this last picture half way up Gorham hill. Love the White Mountains. Lived here my whole life and still pull over to take pictures and sometimes just stare....I am so lucky to live here!

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!

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! :)

Trip Report: Hiking up to Mt. Pierce and Mizpah Spring Hut

Mt. Pierce is located in the Presidential Range but you can hike it by parking near AMC Highland Center in Crawford Notch. There is parking across the street which will cost $3.00 per day. It's a moderate hike. Took us about five hours to hike the loop which was around 6.2 miles. It was a wonderful day hike.

Crawford Path is the oldest continuously used hiking trail in America

Gibbs Falls

We started on the Connection trail which is .5 miles over to the Crawford Path. We hiked up to Gibbs Falls which was beautiful. Great place to take a small break. Then after we continued up (1.7 miles) to the junction to Mizpah Cut-off. We wanted to see the Mizpah Spring Hut first so we hiked over which was .7 miles. When we got to the hut it was getting foggy. We could tell that rain was about to fall so we went into for a lunch break. Great hut, very clean and well thought out. I loved sitting by the windows while relaxing with a sandwich.

Mizpah Spring Hut

...entering Alpine Zone when approaching Mt. Pierce

 It was getting a little windy but didn't rain. They have a place where you can check for weather and it read 40% chance so we decided to hike up to Mt. Pierce. We started on the Webster Cliff Trail .9 miles up to the mountain. As soon as we were about .5 miles up it started to rain. The rain didn't last and we continued up until we reached Mt. Pierce. I am sure the view would have been amazing if it was a clear day, but it was very foggy when we reached the top. We did get to see a view mountains through the think clouds that rolled by.

View from top of Mt. Pierce on a cloudy day

View of the valley below where you can see Mt. Washington Hotel through the fog

 After we hiked down Crawford Notch path 3.1 miles back to the connection trail. Even though we didn't get much of a view, it was a great hike and I hope to hike it again next year.
Also Mt.Pierce is a 4000 footer, 4312' 

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 : Davis Path up to Mt. Crawford

I have always wanted to hike up Mt. Crawford. The hiking trail to take is Davis Path and you can reach the trail outside of Crawford Notch on route 302 heading to Bartlett. There is parking next to Saco River and you will walk down a dirt road until you reach the Bemis Suspension Bridge. There are homes on the other side of the bridge. You will walk on the path past them until you get to a sign that states that you are in the Presidential Range - Dry River Wilderness. If you are hoping to take shelter at the Resolution Shelter, you will be out of luck for it's closed. At least  it is for now, there is a sign at the beginning stating this.

The sign on the trail

There is also a sign that talks about the Davis Path. It was Nathaniel Davis who constructed the trail to Mt. Washington back in 1844. The trail itself is 14.4 miles to the top of Mt. Washington and pass many amazing mountains and views on your way up. We went as far as Mt. Crawford which is the first mountain you would come across on the path. It is 2.5 miles up Davis Path and has some amazing views. Plus there are a few view pints along the way up to that mountain which is 3119'.
Here are a few pictures I took as I hiked up to Mt. Crawford:

Mt. Wildcat in the distance

you can see the Notchland Inn and Valley

When you get closer to Mt. Crawford you will be following markers on the boulders. I found some of the markers tricky and we did go off the path once. It took us a little time I back track so follow the markers closely. They are white and blue lines the rocks, and some are faded.

The sign to look for...

A beautiful view from on top of Mt. Crawford

A great view

Another lovely view

The hike took us about three and half hours to do and I enjoyed every bit of it. I hope to next time get to hike over to Mt. Resolution and Stairs Mt.

Happy Hiking:)

The Mt. Washington View near Exit 41 sign!

Every time I am traveling down Interstate 93, near exit 41, I will see a car pull off near the sign when going around the corner. I can't say I blame them..it's just a beautiful view of Mt. Washington. I love how on a clear day in April, you can see the snow shine off that mountain and the whole Presidential Range! Takes my breathe away every time I travel down that interstate! So, when you are traveling through these parts, don't forget to look to your left and see this amazing view! Happy Hiking ...and traveling:)

Mt. Washington and Presidential Range

Speechless Wednesday - Crawford View and Mt. Washington

Took a drive, wanted to see a few views, always puts a smile on my face

when I see Mt. Washington:) 

Got some great pictures with the moon and the evening sky!

 I would love to live here and have this as my view!

This home is newly built and for sale...

 Such a beautiful sight! I love the moon in the pic:)

From the Mt. Washington Hotel, I love the Presidential Range

Hiking this late fall? Have a happy one!

Mt. Washington State Park

Mt. Washington State Park

Out of all the places in the White Mountain Regain, this is my favorite to explore. The trails are so wonderful travel on and the people you meet along with way, are so friendly and helpful. I am hoping to hike Mt. Washington before fall really sets in. I plan on taking the same route that I did back in 2008. Hiking up the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail to the Lakes of the Clouds. Then take Crawford Path to the Summit for the beautiful mountain (Mt. Washington). Last time it was foggy so I never got to see any views, I was lucky enough to find the building itself! I would like to be able to hike a trail back down that I never got to last time, because the weather turned and we couldn't hike down. The trail I want to take is Jewell Trail, it is to lead me back down to the Cog Railway where the trails start. When I hike this mountain this week or the next I plan on posting my pics and my adventure story up here soon after. 

 I am hoping that one day, I can stay up at the Lake of the Clouds AMC Hut and wake up to the sunrise. I bet that is so beautiful to see the Sun rise above the Lakes up there. Plus I have always wanted to hike Mt. Monroe as well...wonder if I could do both Mountains on the same day? I bet I could. It's only .3 miles from the AMC Hut. There are so many places to see beautiful views once you are up in the Presidential Range that it will be very tough to come back down again. I feel like I am in a whole new world when I am up there. Soon, I hope to be able to stay up here for some time and see as much as I can before I have to come back down again! Here's hoping!