Mt.Flume and Mt.Liberty

A day after thanksgiving is the hiking day. Well, not officially, but why not?

We hiked up to Mt.Flume and Mt.Liberty in the White Mountain National Forest. It was an out and back, total 12 miles. I am not a big fan of out and back, but in the winter it is important to know the trail is safe to go back. So winter hikes are usually out and back. 

Since it is a long distance for a winter hike, we decided to start hiking as early as possible after sun rises. To do that we left Boston at 4 a.m. 

We stopped by Starbucks. This Starbucks is on the way to White Mountains, so we always stop by before hiking. This branch is in the outlet mall. If you go there before 10 a.m. hardly anybody there, because outlet shops are closed. However, today was completely different. It is Black Friday. Before 6 a.m., outlet malls are decorated with shiny little lights, already many cars were parked in the parking lot. Wow. People are so eager to shop. 

Upon arrival at the parking lot of trailhead, I was surprised. There were a couple of cars already parked. A couple drove in next to us with a huge camper while we were getting ready in the car. The camper had many stickers including 4000 footers of NH, 52 NH peaks with view etc. They left slightly earlier than us. We passed the on the way 2 miles after starting point. 

Trails are all covered with snow. Nice thing is that snow is soft. I like winter snow much more than spring snow which is hard and icy. 

Snow covered trees are pretty. 

As you can imagine from these pictures, it was very cold, but the view from Mt.Flume was good. Although clouds mostly blocked the view for down, half part of the sky at the top was blue sky. In that direction the blue clear sky contrasts white winter scenery. The clouds were moving very fast, so the view was changing second by second. It was dramatic. However, standing there was dramatically cold, so we headed for the next peak.

Mt.Flume

To head for the next peak, the trail descend about 500 feet, then ascend 600 feet. Because of out and back hike, that means 600 feet descend and 500 feet ascend were waiting ahead. Mentally those kind of hike is tough, especially in the snow, but it is what it is. 

The top of Mt.Liberty was completely in the clouds. It was also an extreme scene. At the same time it was freezing cold and we headed back immediately. 

frozen water bottle

When we came back to Mt.Flume we saw a camper couple reached the Mt.Flume. Considering the sunset time, I thought that they should head back instead of Mt.Liberty, but they might go there. I took out a water bottle and tried to open a lid, but it was frozen and took some time. COOOOOOOLD. It was too cold for me to have a lunch at the top. So we ate sandwich by standing. 

Trail condition

snowshoe hare track

Trail is covered with soft snow not hard, so it was fun sliding down to go back. When it is icy, I need to be slow and cautious. Also soft snow I can see many bunnies' foot tracks. I want to see snowshoe hare someday.

sitting pad

After we descended for a while, the temperature was a little higher, so I ate the rest of sandwich. It was too cold to finish at the higher elevation. 

This time I brought a small sitting pad. I got it with 20% off at REI's thanksgiving sale. It was so comfy to sit there, instead of cold snow.

Although it was cold, the view was nice.