Kinsmans, November 4-5, 2012, White Mountain National Forest

View of Franconia Range, from Kinsmans

Knowing that our last hike of this trip would be the Kinsmans - noted for steep, rocky trails - and predicting a continuance of the foul winter weather brought on by the remnants of Hurricane Sandy, we decided to hit Lahout's Outfitters in Lincoln to procure some yak trax.

The spikes saved the day. Although the weather seemed comparatively mild at the Lafayette Campground in Franconia Notch where we left the car, it turned out to be full blown winter on the top of the Kinsmans. We made quick work of the hike up to Lonesome Lake Hut, where we planned to overnight, and then hit the Fishin' Jimmy Trail up to the Kinsmans. Dicey and Icy the entire way, the trail would have been a bear without yak trax or some other form of light traction. We pressed onwards and upwards through light snow. Our ultimate plan was to do both Kinsmans, and then loop over to Cannon Mountain, another 4,000 footer.

Arriving at Lonesome Lake Hut

The plan proved to be way too audacious. Our slower-than-normal pace meant that we'd have to run the risk of not making it back to the hut by dark. No decision needed. We saved Cannon for another day.

So after bagging the Kinsmans - and noting by the absence of tracks that we were once again the first hikers to the peaks - we doubled back to the Kinsman Pond lean-to for lunch, then returned to Lonesome Lake Hut for a cold night in the bunkhouse, with temps hovering around 31 degrees F. Fortunately, Lonesome is one of the huts that runs a wood stove at this time of year. The main building was pretty comfortable, perfect for cooking up a meat and roasted root vegetable dinner with apple cobbler for dessert.

F*%$ Ramen noodles.

A much-needed Balaclava, courtesy of K's wool mastery

The hike was not without misfortune. I double-bent one of my Leki trekking poles, effectively ruining it. But a call to the company several days later resulted in two full sets of replacement sections. It's always nice when a gear company excuses clumsiness.

Peaks: North and South Kinsman
Elevation: 4,293 feet and 4,358 feet (Gain: 3,550 feet)
Distance: 8.4 miles
Route: Lonesome Lake Trail, Cascade Brook Trail, Fishin' Jimmy Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail
Conditions: Snow, freezing rain, 30 degrees F

Tripyramids, November 4, 2012, Sandwich Range Wilderness, White Mountain National Forest

The Only Peak Views of the Day, Tripyramids from Pine Bend Brook

Jagged peaks and huge rock slides distinguish the Tripyramids as among the most unique-looking peaks in all the Whites. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see them. Although the rain had subsided, daybreak brought fog and low cloud cover, marring vistas over the entire day. We started the hike at the Sabbaday Falls picnic area, which was closed for construction, forcing us to park on the side of Kancamagus Highway. Sabbaday Brook Trail is noted for its many stream crossings, many of which proved more difficult than expected. But we managed to rock hop without incident.

APC Looking for a Crossing Point on Sabbaday Brook

The trail then cuts due West, around the Fool Killer, a peak that hides the Tripyramids and "fools" the uneducated hiker into thinking it is the final peak. Once around the Fool, it is steeply uphill to the Mt. Tripyramid Trail that runs along the ridge connecting the three peaks - two of which are on the 4,000 footer list. After running south to get the middle peak, we broke out a thermos of DD coffee procured that morning. I'm convinced that winter hikes require that kind of reward.

Middle Tripyramid Summit in Grandpa Hudson's LL Bean Jacket

After a full clothing change, necessary because of spitting precipitation and heavy perspiration from a tough, fast-paced climb, we crossed the north peak and began the descent. Not wanting to repeat the Sabbaday Brook crossings, we took Pine Bend Brook trail down and highway-hiked back to the car.

Winter has arrived, North Tripyramid

Peak: Middle and North Tripyramid
Elevation: 4,140 feet and 4,180 feet (Gain: 3,100 feet)
Distance: 11 mile
Route: Loop, via Sabbaday Brook Trail, Mount Tripyramid Trail, Pine Bend Brook Trail, Road Walk
Conditions: Fog, flurries, 30-35 degrees F

Mount Waumbek, November 3, 2012, North Country, White Mountain National Forest

APC and I at the Waumbek Summit Cairn

My brother and I went up Mt. Waumbek five days after Hurricane Sandy made landfall on the Jersey Shore. We had been monitoring the hurricane forecasts, hoping to determine if the weather would impact our planned trip to the Whites. All sources seemed to indicate that the hurricane would continue west, then head north into western New York and break apart.

Although all that turned out to be true, we still caught the residual effects of the storm. Our short, warm-up hike to the top of Waumbek and back was pretty sloppy... Rain at the bottom and light snow at the top. One of the two northern most peaks on the 4,000 footer list, Waumbek's summit is completely tree covered, as is the hike itself, so that afforded some protection from the elements. The trail provided to be one of the easier ascents. There is even a reliable spring along the way.

Trailhead for Mt. Waumbek

We hit the trail early, as is custom, and were the first to the summit. On the way down, though, we passed about 15 people, including a hiker and her partner yammering about how many times they've done the 4,000 footer list... Seems that the crummy weather meant that a lot of folks had the same idea to stay off the higher peaks.

Peak: Mount Waumbek
Elevation: 4,006 feet Gain: 2,700 feet
Distance: 7.2 miles, up and back
Route: Starr King Trail
Conditions: Rain/Snow, 30-35 degrees F