Major December 23, 2016

Happy Friday!!! For the 100 times I’ve done this – it never gets old. It’s like one of my happy places. Until summer hits – then its a scary place to avoid with all the masses. But, today, there’s snow and ice and cold, and we are happy to be almost solo on the mountain!! The parking is right off Rt 11 with lots of spaces and options for difficulty on the route you want. You’ve got many options for trails – some very direct with scrambling, but also a snowmobile trail that meanders the whole way. We did the yellow trail. It was pretty icy so spikes were a must. I tried making it without them to prove a point, but lasted a whole 10 minutes, max 🙂  The waterflow down the backside of the yellow trail can literally turn into a frozen ice river, so make sure if you go in the winter, you’ve got them!

We summited in less than an hour and enjoyed the views up top. CRYSTAL clear. That sun was amazing. The views were stunning. Winni is still open in most spots, so you have the open water, with the Whites and Ossipee range covered in snow in the background. AMAZE.BALLS. Usually don’t stick around up top for too long, but this was day special, it was just perfect to stand up there and take it all in 🙂 There is a little spot you can duck out of the wind if you wanted to stick around and have lunch…

1. Blue/Yellow: This is the most traveled way. They start together and eventually split after a short steep section when you first start the trail. That first section shouldn’t scare you. Its doesn’t keep going like that the whole way. After a flat section they split. Blue left, Yellow right. The yellow or brook trail takes you up the backside of the mountain. Some steep sections, but longer and not as ledgey as the blue trail. You follow a brook the majority of the way so if you have pup with you, may enjoy a little dip J The yellow is also what will loop you into the other belknaps like straightback, Anna, ect. You can do a full traverse. Another day J The blue trail is the quickest direct way up. Some ledges, but great views.
2. Orange or Boulder trail: This is a good mix of blue and yellow. Not as ledgey as blue but not as meandering as yellow. You head to the left from the parking lot. It’s the same start as the snowmobile trail (or beaver brook) but bears off to the right.
3. Snowmobile Trail or Beaver Brook: A good meander. This really has no extremely steep sections, but of course is longer. Its up and down and loops into the back snowmobile trails. Longest and least direct way up.