Category: Hikes

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

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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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June hikes

trees and green forest
Morning along the trails at Bretton Woods, near the Mount Washington Hotel.

It’s been a wet spring, but last week was nonetheless sunny and beautiful – the woods were verdant and full of wildflowers.  I had a wonderful hike with a dear friend along the Appalachian Trail close to home, and then four beautiful days to trek around the Mount Washington Hotel & Resort, including the opportunity to take 32 colleagues from the MobiSys conference up some of my favorite short hikes in the Whites: North and Middle Sugarloaf Mountains.

Photos:

  • Holts Ledge – hike along the Appalachian Trail
  • MobiSys – walks along the trails of Bretton Woods, and hikes up Sugarloaf Mountains

Late winter on Moosilauke

2014-03-29-06188Only two days left in March, but Moosilauke still has 2-3 feet of snow at the base, and 4-5 feet along the ridgeline. Andy (12) and I hiked to the summit via the Glencliff trail today.  With sunny weather in the forties at the trailhead, the snowpack was soft and wet, eager to swallow any foot that strayed from the trail packed by hundreds of hikers before us. The warm March sunshine allowed for a comfortable hike, no hat no gloves. High on the slopes of south peak we finally caught some views to the west; indeed, I had a great view down into the Tunnel Brook valley and even spotted a person standing on Mud Pond where I’d skied just six days ago.

2014-03-29-06200As we reached the Carriage Road trail junction and the ridgeline, we climbed into the clouds. The temperatures were still above freezing, though only barely, and as we crossed the ridge and climbed above treeline the wind picked up and the ambient temperature dropped. We could barely see from one cairn to the next, but Andy was so enthralled by the rime ice that we took our time.  We met six backcountry skiers at the summit, and explored the cloudy terrain for a while before heading for home.

2014-03-29-06258The soft wet snow, four feet deep along the upper reaches of the trail, provided great opportunities for butt-sledding and made for a quick descent. Four hours up, less than two hours down. Great day!

See a few of my favorite photos.