20 October 2017: Mount Kearsarge North

Work has slowed down a bit so I opted for a farther north hike than normal while we had the prolonged nice weather during this fall season.

History: Located along the eastern edge of NH, Mt Kearsarge North is a real gem as far as views go. On a clear day you can see into the Presidential range and far into the interior of Maine. Originally named Mt. Pequawket, after a local Native tribe, it was renamed to Kearsarge North in 1957. The fire tower up there started out as an inn run by the AMC, which subsequently burned down a few times before being granted to the state for use as a fire tower.

Peak Elevation: 3268 ft
Elevation Gain: ~2600 ft
Trail: Mt Kearsarge North Trail
Length: 6.2 mi
Time on Trail: 1015
Time off Trail: 1400

The parking situation is pretty easy to see - there isn’t much here but the roadway has some decent shoulders you can pull off of. Just don't block people's driveways - some have it marked.

The trail is pretty gradual with pretty clearly marked headings. Some areas I needed to stop and look around as I crossed rock faces to determine next course but all in all, this well-traveled path requires no special guidance. I saw many dogs on this warmer-than-expected sunny day. clear views from the fire tower, which was seeing some pretty gnarly gusts when I was up there. I'm glad i carried an extra shirt in my pack, otherwise i would have been chilled for a while.

This is somehow not on the firetower quest list.

Photos:

Mt Kearsarge North, 20Oct17

This made it #17 for me on the 52 WAV list. I would gladly do it again.