Lonesome Lake Hut - New Hampshire - December 31, 2014

Location: Lonesome Lake, White Mountains, NH
Mileage: 1.6 one way to the hut, then a ~3/4 mile loop around the lake and back out 1.6 miles
Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Extra Gear: Microspikes
Companion: Jesse

The last day of 2014 found us at Lonesome Lake. It was indicated as a family friendly hike on a few websites and so I thought it would be an easy one. While the walk around the lake is an easy flat loop, the hike to get up there is a little bit more moderate, gaining in elevation. The sounds of the highway can still be heard as you go up, but eventually as you head further towards the lake you enter the quiet woods just before reaching the hut.

This trail was a popular choice and had quite a few people on it contrary to it's name. Some backpacking in and out from the hut, which you can reserve a spot and stay there for the night. The parking lot filled up quickly also.

The start of the trail is a nice flat walk through the LaFayette campground.

The lower elevation of the trail had many beech trees.

Beech tree leaves hanging on

A nice bridge to cross over

This trail was well trodden and thus packed down without much difficulty hiking on the snow with just a few icy spots.

Jesse and a yellow blaze

The Lonesome Lake trail is marked by yellow blazes. Here is where the trail becomes more peaceful away from the sounds of the highway.

A large rock.

In a short time we reached the sign indicating the lake. We turned right here and did a loop to the hut.

Lonesome Lake

When we reach the sign for the hut we also reach the intersection for the appalachian trail.

A view of the hut.

We took a break and had some snacks inside the hut. Jesse bought some cold leftover pizza with him. I munched on some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies the hut had for $1 each. They were pretty delicious. Whoever baked them is a great baker. As we sat there snacking other hikers moseyed in and out. The conversation of the others veered towards Edward Abbey and the young hut caretaker sitting in a lounge chair declared "Edward Abbey is King." I was only introduced to Edward Abbey this past year through Jesse who greatly expanded my reading library. He bought me a copy of Desert Solitaire in a used book store in Jim Thorpe, PA last year when we went to go see Peggy Seeger perform. And I thought about how a hut in NH bought together a like-minded random group of people in the wilderness who heard of and revered Edward Abbey. When you do the things you love to do you find people with similar interests.

Below is a view over the lodgings.

The inside of the lodgings below. We didn't stay here, but if you do there was no heat in these. Brrr.

This is the view standing from the deck of the lodge. It is very beautiful. A perfect view. 

It is only a short distance down the Appalachian Trail to the intersection back to the way we came.

This is the first AT marker I've seen of this kind. 

                                                   

Goofing off

A wood-pecked tree on the way back down.

 Trip details below:

South Moat Mountain - New Hampshire - January 1, 2015

Location: South Moat Mountain
Elevation at Summit: 2770 ft
Mileage: 5.4 miles
Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Moderate (more difficult in winter)
Terrain: very icy, continual incline
Blazes: yellow
Extra gear to bring: microspikes
Companion: Jesse

Happy New Year all! The first hike of 2015 was on the Moat Mountains of picturesque New Hampshire. The summit of this peak gave us beautiful views as the sun set on the first day of the year with a clear view of Mount Washington in the distance. The hike overall was made more difficult due to icy conditions, but many spots of the trail had no snow or ice coverage at all. As compared to a subsequent hike we did in the northern white mountains where we were breaking trail, it was a nice contrast in terrain and scenery to hike through.

The trailhead can be reached off Dugway road and has ample parking space. The access to the road from the Kancamagus Highway is closed in the winter season, but it can be accessed coming though from the town of North Conway.

Trailhead Sign

The beginning of the trail was slightly rerouted to go around some logging activity.

A view through the trees on the way up.

A heart shaped rock <3

#happycouple - two trees intwined

Browned leaves

A wood-pecked tree

Gaining elevation

A bit icy on the slope up

The climb up became more difficult as we gained elevation. There was one section that we'd carefuly hiked around the sheets of ice coating the rocks. Jesse didn't have microspikes on, but he still hiked much faster than me and I don't know how he did it without sliding all over the ice. Eventually the top of South Mountain was reached marked by the largest yellow blaze on the below rock. Woohoo!

Summit 

The summit offered a nice 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains and landscape. It was well worth the effort to climb. In the other seasons you can continue onto Middle Moat and North Moat mountains and do an end to end hike if you have two cars and plan wisely. The trail wasn't broken past South Moat and wouldn't seem a wise decision to continue on further with the icy conditions.

Jesse's hand makes an appearance.

The following photo is my favorite of the sun setting in contrast to the bloom of red against the rocks.

Another favorite photo of a cute face on the mountaintop.

Moose tracks?

On the way back we cross a bridge over a small waterfall.

Uh oh it's getting a bit dark. Luckily we were close to the end here.

The gps tracker seems to add an extra .2 mileage.

Recommended breakfast place to fuel before the hike:
Stairway Cafe

A very filling breakfast of eggs, toast and the most delicious beans I've had.

Recommended Dinner and Brews place to relax after the hike:
Moat Mountain Brewery

Nachos

A delicious thai veggie wrap

Recommended place to shop and browse:
Zeb's General Store

North Conway is a fun town to explore and has many places to shop and eat. Of all the times I've hiked up here I've never driven through this town and had a fun time exploring a new place.

I look forward to all the hikes to come in 2015!