Mount Willey, Field, and Tom Photos

Ripley Falls

Me in front of Ripley Falls

Looking out from Mount Willey


These are the birds I was hand-feeding

Mount Washington in the background

Mount Willey, Mount Field, and Mount Tom

I hiked Mounts Willey, Field, and Tom solo Saturday, July 3, 2010. On the way up I saw a moose running in the street too! The weather was perfect again! Sunny with clouds, but not too hot. These mountains lie in one straight line, following the Willey Range Trail, making it easy to summit 3 peaks in one day. While the views are always spectacular on any 4,000 footer summit, these 3 summits are NOT above treeline, so any photos you take will include trees at the summit blocking views (unless you zoom in past the trees). The summits on all 3 mountains were quite small, and since there are trees present, it makes it hard to sit and enjoy a snack or the views if there are other people up there.

On the top of Mount Willey and Field, I was hand-feeding the birds with a couple other people up there. Just hold your hand out with a piece of food in between your fingers, and they will swoop down and pick it up. They aren't scared to get real close to you, and sit near you either.

When I was almost done my hike, and back to the parking lot, there is a .50 mile trail leading to Ripley Falls. I highly suggest anyone to take that extra mile back and fourth of hiking to see this waterfall. It is simply amazing! It is a 100 foot drop, cascading over a rock wall.

Mount Willey = 4,285 feet
Mount Field = 4,340 feet
Mount Tom = 4,051 feet

• Start time = 9:10 am
• End time = 6:10 am
• Total hike time = 9 hours*
• Total miles = 12.2 miles (including visiting Ripley Falls)
• Rating = Moderate/Difficult
• Extras = Not above treeline, waterfall, brooks.

* Hiking times include roughly 1 hour total of stopping from start to finish.

Route Summary = Parking for this hike is at the end of Willey Station Road, off Route 302. When you turn on the road, go all the way up the hill to a small parking area. Parking along that road is also permitted if it is crowded. You begin on the Ethan Pond Trail for .30 miles. You will cross railroad tracks very close to the parking lot. Continue up for 2.7 miles to the summit of Mount Willey. After you enjoy Mount Willey, continue up the trail for 1.4 miles to the summit of Mount Field. From there, continue on the trail for .90 miles where you will reach an intersection. To go up to Mount Tom, you will turn left (the sign will say Tom Spur, instead of summit). Continue for .60 miles to the summit. To get back to your car, you will retrace your steps all the way back, making sure to stop at the Ripley Falls on your way back.

I recommend this hike if you are looking to peak bag 3 summits in one day of the 4,000 footers. An easy hike to add 3 mountains to your list! The waterfall is an extra bonus to see, and if you are able to hand-feed the birds at the summits, that is an extra bonus! You really get the naturesque experience when you can be in nature, AND interact with the wildlife.

If you are looking for a hike with awesome summit views, I would NOT reccommend this hike, becasue none of the summits are above treeline, or have a large enough area to sit and enjoy the views like other mountains sucn as Mount Pierce, Eisenhower, Osecola, Lafayette, Lincoln, etc.

Mount Osceola, and East Osceola Photos

Me on the summit of Osceola Mountain. The mountain in the background is East Osceola, where I just hiked from.

Summit of Osceola Mountain


Alot of the connecting trail looks like this


Beautiful day out!

Mount Osceola, and East Osceola Mountain

I hiked Mount Osceola and East Osceola Mountain solo on Wednesday, June 30, 2010. It was a very nice day, around 72 degrees. Sunny, but not too hot. The summits were both a tad windy, but nothing to bad. I had read online that Mount Osceola is the easiest hike out of all the NH 4,000 footers, and I agree with that, it seemed pretty easy, BUT the trail connecting both mountains was very difficult. The first half of it was all downhill (easy), but the last half was very very steep. I felt like I was rock climbing on vertical rock for parts of it. (I was using my hands, feet, and butt for these parts!)It would be a good idea to bring a pair of gloves for rock climbing, so you don't scrape your hands too bad.

The views from both summits were amzing, but only Mount Osceloa has a bear rock summit, above treeline, unlike East Osceola Mountain. I actually didn't even know I was at the top of the mountain because there is no summit sign, and the path sorta just continues along.

Mount Osceola = 4,340 feet
East Osceola Mountain = 4,156 feet

• Start time = 10:30 am
• End time = 5:30 pm
• Total hike time = 7 hours*
• Total miles = 7.6 miles
• Rating = Moderate/Difficult
• Extras = Brooks, rivers, rock scrambles, Mt. Osceola is above treeline

* Hiking times include all breathing breaks, 30 minutes at the summit, and breaks to take pics.

Route Summary = You begin on Greeley Ponds Trail for 1.3 miles. This section is super easy, pretty much flat, with a very minimal incline. It is, however, very rooty. Yes, you expect roots on a trail in the woods, but these roots were sticking up pretty far, making it difficult to maneouver around. After 1.3 miles, you will come to a fork in the trail. Turn right onto Mount Osceola Trail. Continue for 1.5 miles to the summit of East Osceola Mountain. From there continue for exactly 1 mile up to the summit of Osceola Mountain. To return to your car, retrace your steps back the way you came. (3.8 miles total)

Tip = Bring a pair of rock climbing gloves (or any kind where the fingers are exposed). This will help with the connecting trail between both mountains, where you will be using your hands a lot.

I recommend anyone looking for an easy 4,000 footer hike to climb up East Osceola Mountain. For a bit of a challenge, hike over to Osceloa Mountain from there, where you will be doing some rock scrambling.

Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette Photos

Panoramic photo of the mountains we just hiked

Me at the summit of Mount Lafayette as it was hailing!

It was extremely foggy, making it hard to see.

Pretty waterfalls along the hike up

Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette

I hiked Little Haystack Mountain, Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette on June 26, 2010 with my cousin Jillian. Even though all 3 of those mountains are above 4,000 feet tall, only the second 2 count as NH 4,000 footers because the prominence of Little Haystack Mountain is below 200 feet.

It was a nice day when we arrived in the White Mountains, and remained nice almost all the way to the summits. At the top, it was raining, very windy, very foggy, and even hailing!! It was so difficult to see, that we actually hiked right over the 1st two mountains to the third one, not knowing we made it to the first 2! Which was good news to us, to know we had made it that far already.

Mount Lincoln = 5,089 feet
Mount Lafayette = 4,760 feet

• Start time = 9:30 am
• End time = 6:30 pm
• Total hike time = 9 hours*
• Total miles = 9 miles
• Rating = Difficult
• Extras = Cascades, Waterfalls, Hut, Brook

* Hiking times include all breaks, stops and sitting at the summits for about 20 minutes.

Route Summary = This loop hike begins and ends at the Lafayette Parking area. You begin on Falling Waters Trail, which is also called Old Bridle Path for the first .02 miles. After the .02 miles, turn left to stay on Falling Waters Trail. Continue for 3.2 miles until you find yourself on the summit of Little Haystack Mountain (4,760 feet). From the summit of Little Haystack Mountain, turn left onto the Franconia Ridge Trail, and continue for .07 miles to the summit of Lincoln Mountain. Continue on the same path for .09 miles to the summit of Mount Lafayette. From the summit, turn left onto the Greenleaf Trail, and continue for 1.1 miles which will bring you to the Greenleaf Hut. Turn left to go on Old Bridle Path and follow for 2.9 miles back to the parking lot.

I would certainly recommend this hike to anyone who wants to see 360 degree views and be able to hike 3 mountains in 9 hours. Even though we couldn't see any views because of the rain, fog and hail, I know they are amazing! There is also a .02 mile trail leading to Shining Rock, which is pretty cool to see. This hike is a bit tough on the way down with lots of rock scrambling, so be prepared.

Mount Pierce and Mount Eisenhwer Photos

Taken from Mount Eisenhower


Panoramic photo of Gibbs Falls

Me resting at the summit of Mount Eisenhower

There were a lot of people at the summit of Mount Pierce

Mount Pierce and Mount Eisenhower

I hiked Mount Pierce and Mount Eisenhower solo on June 19, 2010....My first two 4,000 footers!! All I can say was, it was incredible. I chose those 2 mountains for my first two, because I had read that they were on the list of the "easier 4,000 footers" (that still doesn't make them easy though!) The weather couldn't have been more perfect the day I went. Crystal clear skies, beautiful clouds, Sunny, but not too hot.

Mount Pierce = 4,312 feet
Mount Eisenhower = 4,760 feet

• Start time = 11:10 am
• End time = 7:10 pm
• Total hike time = 8 hours*
• Total miles = 10.6 miles
• Rating = Moderate/Difficult
• Extras = Alpine Zone, Waterfall, Cascades, Brook, Above treeline

* Hiking times include all breaks, stops, and sitting at the summits for about 50 minutes.

Route Summary = Parking for this hike is on Mount Clinton Road in the Crawford Path parking area. The trail beings on the Crawford Connector for .04 miles. After crossing Gibbs Brook, you will reach a junction where you will stay straight/left on the Crawford Path. You will remain on this path for .02 miles until you reach a sign for Gibbs Falls. Follow the path left for about 40 yards to see the falls, then retrace your steps back to where you were to continue up the mountain. Hike on the Crawford Path for another 1.3 miles where you will reach a junction. Stay/bear left to stay on the path you are on. Continue 1.2 more miles on the Crawford Path until you reach a junction. At the junction turn right at the Webster Cliff Trail. .01 miles on this path will bring you to the summit of Mount Pierce! To reach the Mount Eisenhower summit, descend .01 miles on Webster Cliff Trail until you are on The Crawford Path again. Turn right and continue 1.6 miles to the summit of Mount Eisenhower. To return to your car, continue straight across the summit for .04 miles, then turn left onto Edmands Path and continue for 2.9 miles until it ends at a parking lot. (not where your car is) From that parking lot, turn left and walk along the road for 2.3 miles where you will land in the parking lot where your car is.

I would definitely recommend this hike to anyone who wants stunning 360 degree views, with a great super-close view of Mount Washington from Mount Eisenhower, especially since both summits are above treeline.