Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Hiking the 4000 Footers: Mount Whiteface and Mount Passaconaway 8.19.2012

Whiteface and Passaconaway via The Bowl
Blueberry Ridge trail- Rollins Trail- Dicey's Mill Trail

Numbers 15 and 16 on the List!

The beginning of our crazy dash to nab 11 peaks in roughly a week!

Hiking Glam

Trailhead Whiteface

We have a history with Whiteface and Passaconaway in the sense that we have started many more hikes than we have finished on these peaks. Several years ago we lost our dog on a neighboring mountain. We found her that same day, but it involved lots of mayhem in between.

Approaching Mount Whiteface

Another day we tried again but were caught in torrential rain and given the rocky granite strewn summits- finishing our hike was not a great idea.

The day we actually nabbed both mountains was a gorgeous day- a bit hot- but what else is new. We decided to grab both mountains by hiking around part of what is called "the bowl"- essentially a hike along a mountainside looking into a geographically shaped bowl.

Trail Mount Whiteface

Trail Mount Whiteface

Trail on Mount Whiteface

Whiteface has an easy slopping trail for most of the way then proceeds into a short, steep sort of rock climbing summit that requires a bit of gusto and guts. While the trail looks very steep and dangerous- there were plenty of rock holds exactly were you needed them.

Trail Mount Whiteface

Trail Mount Whiteface

Trail Mount Whiteface

The view from Whiteface was excellent and relatively quiet given the weather and time of year. We continued on hiking what is deemed "the bowl." The trail between Whiteface and Passaconaway was even quieter and less crowded- my favorite type. 

View from Mount Whiteface

View from Mount Whiteface

View from Mount Whiteface

View from Mount Whiteface

Passaconaway greeted us with more day tripping families and a very dull summit (just a pile of rocks and sticks).

Hiking Whiteface

Passaconway Summit

Passaconway View

After descending a technically easy downhill the trail dead ends into private property. A small house surrounded by fields greets you as you finish. Finally we could say we've climbed Whiteface and Passaconaway albeit given a view false starts.

Whiteface and Passaconway Start

No comments: