Northeast Wild

  Feb 8, 2023 (Wed) - FLOWED LANDS & LAKE COLDEN ski via the Calamity Brook Trail from Upper Works. Snow depth 15-30", wet powder with a hint of iciness off-trail. Temp ~30F. Route was broken out (mostly by snowshoers) the whole way. There was a half inch of very wet snow that had fallen overnight which became more powdery with elevation gain. A gain of 260' in the first 2 miles - this was very fast & fun on the way back. A gain of 640' in the next 2 miles - 2 (out of 5) of us put on climbing skins when it started to get steep. I side-stepped 4 or 5 steep spots on the way down (I like to keep my body parts in working order) - there were some nice stretches too, but also quite a few rocks showing. 180' gain in the next mile to Flowed Lands - there were some downhills in this section - nice skiing on way back. A short spur to the Henderson Monument at 4.5 miles - David Henderson was accidentally shot & killed here (hence, the calamity). Stopped for lunch at a...

  Feb 8, 2024 - McKENZIE PASS ski via the JACKRABBIT TRAIL from Whiteface Inn Rd. A thin layer of powder on a firm base at the start. Climbed 500' in the first 1.1 miles with 2 or 3 washed out spots. Then the trail leveled out for a while & passed the Placid lean-to. 150' climb in 0.3 miles to the pass. Played on the slopes off-trail for a while - the shadier snow on the S side was nice & the sunnier N side was heavier/wetter. Went a bit down the other side & headed back down. Somewhat hairy at times but made it down upright. 5.4 miles, 787' el gain, 2.5 hours. Lower half had seen much use incl snowshoers & barebooters, upper section much less use. Temp rising into the low 40s, sunny. Sunday, Feb 5, 2023 - From the end of Alstead Hill Rd. There is a large parking area just before the Rock & River building. The trail starts out relatively flat, entering the Sentinel Wilderness, then soon starts a long 2-mile climb gaining over 700'. Several beaver pon...