Mount Tecumseh, October 13, 2014, Waterville Valley, White Mountain National Forest

Tecumseh Summit, with the the Osceolas in the Distance

Some hardcore NE hikers successfully complete the so-called "Winter 48," which means that they have gone up all of the 4,000 footers in the winter months. My guess is that you have to be local to undertake that kind of challenge. Winters in the Whites are so unpredictable and dangerous, that you really need to have nearby access in order to seize the nice days when you can and avoid the bad ones when they roll in on short notice. Further, many access roads to the popular peaks are closed in the winter months, meaning that your choice of trails is limited.

Gradual Grade on Mt. Tecumseh Trail

Such is the case with Mount Tecumseh, known for the diminutive distinction of being the shortest of the biggest mountains in the Whites. In the winter, Tripoli Road is closed, forcing hikers to use the crappy trail the runs right through the slopes of the Waterville Valley Ski Area. Still open on Columbus Day but soon to close, Tripoli Road served as our access point to what I think to be the much better trail to the summit - the Mount Tecumseh Trail.

Sun and Autumn Leaves on Mt. Tecumseh Trail

Arriving at first light, we found the parking lot completely empty and started out in head lamps. The trail makes a steady ascent, but is comparatively tame with no boulder scrambles and sure footing all the way. The only challenging portion is when one reaches the West Peak and then has to descend into a col and then steeply climb to Mt. Tecumseh proper. We made it to the top without a break and decided to spread out on the summit and take in the early morning sun of a definite blue bird day.

APC on Tecumseh Summit

We were pleasantly surprised to have awesome sit down views from the summit marker. Apparently, the Forest Service cut down trees since the publication of Steven Smith's guidebook - an absolute must-have for any White Mountain Mountaineer. After taking in the magnificent views of the Tripyramids and the Osceolas and talking with a few women wearing shirts from the Views From The Top hiking group who arrived while we were relaxing, we jetted back to the parking area inside four hours, having seen only four people throughout the entire morning.

With Tecumseh, we narrowed our 4,000 footer lists to 3 and 6 respectively.

Our conversation on the descent involved what lists we might tackle next.

Peak: Mount Tecumseh
Elevation: 4,003 feet (Gain: 2,600 feet)
Distance: 6.2 miles
Route: Up and back, Mt. Tecumseh Trail
Conditions: Sunny, 45 degrees F

Mount Garfield and Mount Galehead, October 12, 2014, Garfield Range, White Mountain National Forest

Early AM at the Garfield Summit

Having had a fairly easy time running the "Caps" up Mt. Jefferson on the day before, we decided that we were due for a big day. Mulling around various possibilities, we finally decided on a 15-mile loop along the spine of the rugged Garfield Range. For me, the trip would net a pair of 4,000 footers; For my bro, it would provide a chance to take in the splendid views from Garfield summit which had eluded him on his last visit to the peak.

Garfield Ridge Trail, with Galehead Hut in Distance

We hit the trail at 6:30, needing headlamps to negotiate the darkness along the lower reaches of the Garfield Trail. The early hour of departure kept us away from any hikers until we made elevation and reached the intersection of the Garfield Ridge Trail, where we encountered multiple parties leaving from the Garfield Tent site. Though perfect for providing some isolation in the woods, the early hour meant that we reached the summit before the cloud cover lifted. Summit Visibility? Zero.

Galehead Hut

Next stop. Galehead Hut for lunch. The place was absolutely hopping with people, but we still managed to snag a bench by the window just as the clouds lifted and views began to open onto the massive Twin Range nearby. Two bowls of soup and gingerbread  from the hut kroo augmented by our packed lunches provided the energy to make a quick run up Mt. Galehead. Having been up there before, APC decided to nap instead. I was up and back in 20.

Frost Trail near Galehead Sumit

Back at the hut, we took a longer than normal break enjoying the company of others and resting up for the long descent down the Gale River Trail. Steep at the start, it soon mellowed dramatically and the big day ended with an easy, but long, plod to the access road.

We finally reached the trail head and pressed on for the 1.6 mile road walk to complete the loop, which got us back to the car around 3:30... just in time to phone in a 4:30 waiting list request at the Common Man.

Gotta eat early on Columbus Day weekend in Lincoln.

Peaks: Mount Garfield and Mount Galehead
Elevation: 4,500 feet and 4,024 feet (Gain: 3,950 feet)
Distance: 15.3 miles
Route: Loop, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Frost Trail, Gale River Trail
Conditions: Cloudy, becoming partly cloudy, 40 degrees F

Mt. Jefferson, October 11, 2014, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest

Mt. Jefferson Summit Cone, with Washington in Distance

Last September, our best laid plans for a hut-to-hut traverse of the Presidential Range summits were washed out by horrendous weather. One year later, my brother and I decided to take advantage of a super forecast for Columbus Day weekend and finally tackle Mount Jefferson. He'd tried unsuccessfully twice before; I'd tried it once. So we were both eager to make it happen once and for all.

Day Break on Caps Ridge Trail

We chose the Caps Ridge Trail, the shortest route to Mount Jefferson. Despite the minimal mileage, the age old adage of there being no "easy" 4,000 footers held true. Covering only five miles round trip, one still needs to negotiate the so-called "Caps," three lichen-encrusted rock outcroppings that require sure footing and hand-over-hand scrambling. Our hour of departure - daybreak - meant that we would also have to deal with slippery frost on the summit boulders.

The Caps and Jefferson Summit, from VCD Rock

We made quick work of the lower reaches of the trail, where it ambles through low pines and soon opens to a picturesque boulder overlook with vistas up to the summit. We named it "VCD rock," as we had picked up sandwiches from Vermont Country Deli the day before and the boulder would  serve as our lunch spot on the descent. Next up, clambering over the caps.

APC Ascending the Caps

Once above treeline, the decent weather afforded splendid views of the just-past-peak foliage and the higher summits of the Presidential Range and beyond. The cog railway and garish, red-and-white-painted Omni Hotel at Bretton Woods also feature prominently on the landscape.

Too bad for that.

The wind had picked up by the time we reached the frost-encrusted summit boulders, so we only stayed for a few minutes. While enjoying our thermos-full-of-coffee break, two hikers with three dogs arrived at the summit. One of the dogs, a feeble greyhound, followed its master up to the true summit and found himself stuck and unable to turn around. Shivering from the cold and whimpering from its precarious position, the poor animal's fear and awkwardness will forever be burned into my mind when I think of Mt. Jefferson.

Does the ASPCA have a North Country mountain chapter?
 
Peak: Mount Jefferson
Elevation: 5,716 feet (Gain: 2,700 feet)
Distance: 5 miles
Route: Up and back, Caps Ridge Trail
Conditions: Partly Sunny, 35 degrees F