Category: Hikes

Posts primarily about a hike – usually in New England. Hikes in far-away locations are often under the ‘Travel’ category.

Moosilauke in a snowstorm

As we drove toward Mount Moosilauke on New Year’s day, we caught a glimpse of its summit, brilliant white under the high cloud deck, and thought eagerly of our plans to hike to that summit the next day.  Lelia and Andy and I hiked in past the Ravine Lodge, finding the going easy on a shallow but firm snow cover, with the last of the deep-pink sunset fading as we reached John Rand cabin. In a couple of hours the cabin was cozy and warm and we welcomed the arrival of friends Jen and Lars. After a wonderful pasta dinner and conversation, we settled in for a cozy first night of the new year; all in all, a great foundation for a big hike the next day.

photo of David, Lars, Jen, and Lelia
David, Lars, Jen, and Lelia on the trail after visiting the summit.

Continue reading “Moosilauke in a snowstorm”

A fine year it was

family photo at Bryce Canyon National Park
David, Pam, Mara, Andy, and John, at Bryce Canyon National Park in July.

Another busy and exciting year for us, with lots of travel. David traveled to India in January,  Andy toured the Galapagos with his grandparents, Pam spoke at a medical conference in Hyderabad (India), John sang with his quartet at Harmony University, and the whole family paddled for four days on the Connecticut River. The big family trip, though, was to raft the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, then explore some of the beautiful National Parks in that region (read the posts beginning here, and check out the photos and an exciting nine-minute video).  We spent lots of time outdoors in both New Hampshire and South Carolina. I hope you enjoy the year-end slideshow of highlights, including some of my favorite photos from 2014.

Connecticut River paddle

Passing the Vermont town of Barnet.
Passing the Vermont town of Barnet.

We just returned from our third annual Connecticut River canoe trip [photos].  Two years ago we began at the Canadian border, visiting the river’s headwaters and the four Connecticut lakes; we put in at North Stratford (skipping the lakes and 60 miles of the river’s life as a shallow stream), and paddled for two days.  Last year we put in where we left off, and paddled for four days, ending at the Gilman Dam.  This year we launched below the dam and paddled for four days to Bedell Bridge State Park. Next year we hope to reach home! The trip gets better every year, as the Connecticut River Paddlers’ Trail expands its network of campsites and published an outstanding new map. Read on!

Continue reading “Connecticut River paddle”

Bryce Canyon

David pauses on his hike around the Bryce Canyon Amphitheatre, at some point between Sunset and Inspiration Point.
David pauses on his hike around the Bryce Canyon Amphitheatre, at some point between Sunset and Inspiration Point.

It’s not many days that I realize, before lunch, that I’ve just completed one of the most beautiful hikes ever. Even more amazing to have that experience at the end of two weeks hiking in spectacular canyons around the Four Corners region.

Today was such a day. Bryce Canyon at sunrise is so spectacular that I snapped hundreds of photos and found it difficult to select only a few favorites. Read on.

Continue reading “Bryce Canyon”

Zion Canyon National Park

It’s not a long drive to Zion Canyon National Park from the north rim of the Grand Canyon, but it’s a different world – the typical visitor to Zion visits the park from the floor of the canyon along the shores of the Virgin River, whereas the typical visitor to the Grand Canyon views the canyon from the top, either the north or south rim.  Having come recently from a trip along the river in the Grand Canyon, winding down through eons of geologic time and with a different vista around every bend of the river, Zion at first seemed less than ‘grand’. Nonetheless, it’s a stunningly beautiful place – check out the photo gallery, and read on for more.

Andy leans on the railing overlooking Zion Canyon, along the trail to Angels Landing, Zion NP.
Andy leans on the railing overlooking Zion Canyon, along the trail to Angels Landing, Zion NP.

Continue reading “Zion Canyon National Park”

Grand Canyon North Rim

We returned to the Grand Canyon to visit the North Rim for one night in the cabins at Grand Canyon Lodge. This gorgeous mountain lodge sits right on the rim of the canyon with a fine dining room and outstanding views from the nearby Bright Angel Point. This visit gave us a totally different perspective on the Grand Canyon, as we stopped by each of the roadside viewpoints. Just three days earlier we bobbed down the Colorado River at the canyon bottom, rarely able to see farther than the adjacent canyon walls or the next bend in the meandering river. Now we had sweeping views across the canyon, and could only catch glimpses of the river far below. Read on for more about our visit, and check the photo album.

David watches the sunrise from Bright Angel Point, North Rim, Grand Canyon.
David watches the sunrise from Bright Angel Point, North Rim, Grand Canyon.

Continue reading “Grand Canyon North Rim”

Where the deer and the coyotes play

While visiting the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, I took a short hike around the loop of Uncle Jim’s Trail, and caught on video one of the most amazing wildlife scenes I’ve ever witnessed – involving a deer, a fawn, and at least one coyote. Read on, and watch.

Deer chases coyote Continue reading “Where the deer and the coyotes play”

Grand Canyon, days 5-6-7

In which we explore three beautiful slot canyons with waterfalls, learn how to make a “butt dam”, break Pam’s toe, survive Lava Falls, and fly by helicopter and plane back to our starting point. [Photos]

JP readies the boats as the morning sun paints the canyon walls behind; Camp 4.
JP readies the boats as the morning sun paints the canyon walls behind; Camp 4.

Continue reading “Grand Canyon, days 5-6-7”

Grand Canyon, days 1-2

The “main event” for our southwest vacation was a rafting trip on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. I’d done this trip before, with the same rafting company (Hatch River Expeditions), exactly twenty years ago. It’s such an awe-inspiring experience that I’ve longed for years to share it with Pam and the kids. [Photos]

Our lead boat rounds the Nankoweap peninsula.
Our lead boat (left of center, in the water) rounds the Nankoweap peninsula.

Continue reading “Grand Canyon, days 1-2”