Climbing Mt. Major!

What a day for a hike! Just look at the color as we approached Mt. Major, located in West Alton, NH.

Being that it's Columbus Day week-end, and perfect weather, there were plenty of people ... and cars ... so we anticipated having to walk quite a ways after we parked. Andria, being the observant one that she is, happened to look down and spot a tunnel that went under the road.

Originally we thought it was a culvert until we climbed down the embankment and had a look-see. My husband figured out that the tunnel was at the bottom part of a trail that led towards the main trails that go up Mt. Major. To avoid walking on the main road we chose the path less traveled, and it has made all the difference. LOL!

Pretty cool discovery! Here is Andria's take on the tunnel. Her dad thought it looked like an album cover.

Mt. Major: Elevation 1700 ft.

Actual ascent/descent: 1100 ft

Heading towards the top of Boulder trail! Yes, I was the slowest one in the group. Everyone else was in front of me

There were several streams and brooks along the way, up and down the mountain. The water was unbelievably clear!

I thought this was kind of interesting. The tree had grown around part of the rock and lifted it right off the ground. Do you know how heavy this rock must be? Me either, but I wouldn't want to find out! That's one strong tree.

Looking up through the canopy of leaves was a gorgeous sight!

Ferns in the spotlight

Small wild Blueberry bushes (in red) at the top

The sight that awaited us at the peak: Lake Winnepesaukee and a gorgeous view! On the far left of this photo you can see some small white buildings dotting the shoreline. That is the town of Wolfeboro, where we went on Wednesday.

Looking right is the direction we came up from. In the very corner of the lake ... Alton Bay

And here we are! Elise, Andria's friend Jen, Andria, Brent, and I

Heading down Brook Trail the sign actually says Mount Major Summit .2 MI. not 2 miles.

We were trying to figure out why there was so much haze around the lake. In some pictures you can see it, and in some you can't.

The White Mountains of NH: named for all the beautiful white Birch trees

I'd say the woodpeckers find this tree to be a plentiful source of food

Almost back to the head of the trail/parking lot. What an incredible climb and everyone was tired and thirsty for more water.

Speaking of water ... people, if you ever go for a hike, even a short one, please bring water and snacks for the kids. At the very least they should have a jacket for when they reach the top. We passed families heading up at 2:30 with no supplies at all. We brought water for everyone and drank it all, not to mention plenty of snacks and bandaids (which we didn't need, luckily). I can't imagine how those children must have felt by the time they made it back to their car a minimum of 3 hours later ... in the cold!

We also met up with a mom and his son, who was quite hungry. I offered him granola bars or peanut butter crackers but his mom refused to accept anything. What was she thinking?


Alton Bay, where we stopped for an ice cream on our way home

Although I tried to persuade the girls to have their pictures taken in the gazebo they were too exhausted and said it was too cold.

Fabulous day ... everything about it! If you ever have the chance to come up this way, Mt. Major is a great, family friendly, mountain to climb and enjoy a picnic lunch at the top.

It was a little windy ...