Mount Major 10-21-07
Trip to Mount Major 1786'
4 Miles 1200’ Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy and Emma, Wanda and Noelia
This is the story of two girls we know from work on their maiden voyage in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Both were born in Puerto Rico, moved to America, and have lived within a few hours drive of the mountains for many years, but had never ventured into them. Over the past few years they have been enticed by the trip reports and photographs Jude and I have been showing them. The "Oooh's" and "Ahhh's" and "We have to go there, will you take us?" After a failed attempt or two, it finally all came together on a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon on Mount Major.
As we arrived in Alton it was immediately apparent that many others had decided to take advantage of the perfect fall weather and make this easy hike to one of the best views in the Lakes Region. The road outside the parking area was lined a quarter mile in each direction, and more were arriving as we parked and headed toward the trailhead. Conservatively, I would say there were five hundred people making the trek with us. It was a little more like walking down Lansdowne St. to Fenway Park than it was like hiking a mountain, but the day was perfect, the foliage at its peak, and the girls were extremely enthusiastic, which made it a fun hike.
There have been very few times in our hiking career that Jude and I had taken "virgins" on a hike. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and we also felt like newbies out there for most of the day. They both did excellent for first timers, making the short climb up the main trail with ease, stopping only to take pictures and enjoy the surrounding beauty of the foliage and deep blue Lake Winnepesaukee. The gasps of awe and priceless smiles on their faces were worth the price of sharing a relatively small summit with hundreds of others.
We had a small brunch on the summit and took lots of pictures before we had to make our way down so they could return to their families who had been left to fend for themselves while they took off on their "Most Excellent Adventure". They are excited about going again, and maybe working their way up to some slightly bigger hills, but for now, they have the beauty of a New England autumn day as experienced from a hill overlooking the surrounding hills and lakes that are New Hampshire.
Read More4 Miles 1200’ Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy and Emma, Wanda and Noelia
This is the story of two girls we know from work on their maiden voyage in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Both were born in Puerto Rico, moved to America, and have lived within a few hours drive of the mountains for many years, but had never ventured into them. Over the past few years they have been enticed by the trip reports and photographs Jude and I have been showing them. The "Oooh's" and "Ahhh's" and "We have to go there, will you take us?" After a failed attempt or two, it finally all came together on a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon on Mount Major.
As we arrived in Alton it was immediately apparent that many others had decided to take advantage of the perfect fall weather and make this easy hike to one of the best views in the Lakes Region. The road outside the parking area was lined a quarter mile in each direction, and more were arriving as we parked and headed toward the trailhead. Conservatively, I would say there were five hundred people making the trek with us. It was a little more like walking down Lansdowne St. to Fenway Park than it was like hiking a mountain, but the day was perfect, the foliage at its peak, and the girls were extremely enthusiastic, which made it a fun hike.
There have been very few times in our hiking career that Jude and I had taken "virgins" on a hike. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and we also felt like newbies out there for most of the day. They both did excellent for first timers, making the short climb up the main trail with ease, stopping only to take pictures and enjoy the surrounding beauty of the foliage and deep blue Lake Winnepesaukee. The gasps of awe and priceless smiles on their faces were worth the price of sharing a relatively small summit with hundreds of others.
We had a small brunch on the summit and took lots of pictures before we had to make our way down so they could return to their families who had been left to fend for themselves while they took off on their "Most Excellent Adventure". They are excited about going again, and maybe working their way up to some slightly bigger hills, but for now, they have the beauty of a New England autumn day as experienced from a hill overlooking the surrounding hills and lakes that are New Hampshire.
Noelia & Wanda.
