This fall I decided to join some friends from the seacoast at a midway point for a day hike, Mt. Kearsarge in Bartlett, N.H. This 3,268ft. mountain is only a short 1.5 mile drive east on Hurricane Rd. off Rt. 302/16, and is very near the resort town of North Conway, N.H. The trailhead parking is limited, but cars are able to use the roadside as this is quite the popular trail, even during our midweek hike.
The hike begins with very moderate elevation gain for perhaps a mile while walking through a beautiful wooded area on the well-worn trail. After this easy-ish introduction, a change in the trail composition and its difficulty are noticeable, becoming far more rocky than in the woods and the
pitch increases to moderately difficult. The trail continues for another mile at this pace before a rocky outcrop with a small clearing allows for a limited view to the south.
Continuing back into the woods, the trail alternates between moderate and difficult for the last mile, mainly hugging the north side of the summit cone, where the trees get noticeably shorter and the trail even more rocky. Once the summit area is reached, the trees thin and an inactive fire tower (one of the last in New Hampshire) comes into view.
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| Fire Tower |
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It was my first trip to this summit and I was extremely pleased once we climbed up the stairs into the towers protected confines as the views were spectacular in all directions. On this day, we didn't need
much protection from the elements as you will see from my photos. I might add there was even a restroom just a few yards below the summit area opening for those in need.
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| Flush, please |
I should end my blog here and let all enjoy the 360 degree summit view, looking east into Maine, west to the Franconia Range, south towards Conway and the Moat Mt. chain, and north to Mt. Washington and the Carter Notch area.
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| North view |
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| South view |
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| East view |
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| West view |
Written by Brian Markee
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