Weirs Times

PHOTO: Looking down the granite brook bed of Cascade Brook in Franconia Notch State Park. From the open brook bed there is a fine view of Mount Liberty–many think its rocky summit looks like the profile of George Washington lying in state. The Basin-Cascade Trail is a little over a mile long and follows the banks of Cascade Brook to its intersection with the Cascade Brook Trail/Appalachian Trail. The headwaters of Cascade Brook is Lonesome Lake.

PHOTO: Yours truly near the summit of Mount Lafayette on Memorial Day. There was eight inches of snow covering Lafayette’s summit. Springtime in White Mountains can often feel like winter. Be prepared, bring warm clothing and carry the hiking essentials. 50 degrees may not sound too cold but it is possible to suffer the consequences of Hypothermia when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it.

PHOTO: Black Mountain, Jackson NH, held its 90th Birthday celebration on May 3rd. Black Mountain was the last ski area open this spring in New Hampshire. The only other ski areas still spinning their lifts in New England are Killington, Jay Peak and Sugarbush. Who will be the last to close by Amy Patenaude Outdoor/Ski Writer I skied in May! I went to Killington today and skied the whole morning. I plan to ski at Black Mountain again on Saturday, even if it rains.

PHOTO: Doublehead Mountain has two summits–two heads!  Julie on South Doublehead’s summit. North Doublehead is higher, elevation 3,051 feet, looming large behind her less than a mile away. There are many ledges with wide open outlooks on South Doublehead’s summit ridge. Mount Washington, Carter Notch, The Moats and Stairs Mountain and many more can be seen from South Doublehead. by Amy Patenaude Outdoor/Ski Writer Doublehead Mountain in Jackson has two peaks, North and South.

PHOTO: Yours truly skinning up the Sun Bowl Lift Line at Mount Sunapee last week. They stopped running the lifts but there was still plenty of snow to be found for those that were willing to earn their turns by skinning or hiking up the mountain. Check out SnoCountry.com for current New England resorts snow conditions reports. Do you think anyone will still be open until June this year? Only time will tell.

PHOTO: Bluebird spring skiing day at Loon Mountain. Jeannie leads the way down from the top of Loon’s White Mountain Express Gondola. On Saturday, April 12th The Beach Bash at Loon Mountain begins with Beach Games and Mogul Madness. Loon Mountain’s projected closing date is April 14th, check snow report at LoonMtn.com. by Amy Patenaude Outdoor/Ski Writer It is true most people don’t ski but believe me if you love to ski winter goes by much too quickly.

PHOTO: Amy Patenaude (R) and her friend Kris near the summit of Cannon Mountain celebrating a perfect day of Spring skiing. There’s plenty of snow covering Cannon’s trails and the best Spring snow conditions are yet to come. Their projected closing date is April 6th. Check out New Hampshire ski resorts’ snow conditions reports at SkiNH.com. Ski and Snowboard while you still can! by Amy Patenaude Outdoor/Ski Writer The calendar told us that Spring arrived at 5:01 am on March 20th.

PHOTO: Becca night skiing/snowboarding at Pats Peak and it is still light out. March is a great time to get out to ski and snowboard! The days are getting longer and warmer. The annual Pats Peak Pond Skim contest is this Saturday, March 15, come watch or make a splash. The first day of Spring is March 20th and that means ski resorts are offering their season passes for sale at the lowest price for next year.

PHOTO: Yours truly kicking and gliding on the cross country ski trails at Bolduc Park. I recommend reading on the Bolducpark.org website the Thompson-Ames Historical Society piece by Carol Anderson, “History of Bolduc Park, a history of giving to local communities.” Since 1978 people have been skiing here because of the vision and generosity of Bob Bolduc, founder. Winter activities at the Bolduc Park are cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The disc-golf course is open year-round.

PHOTO: You don’t know what you’ll find while snowshoeing in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. On the shoulder of Green Mountain, at elevation 2,500 feet and 7/10ths of a mile from the nearest forest road, I found this collection of rain gauges, antennas and a solar panel. The Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest was established in 1955 by the USDA Forest Service. In this bowl-shaped valley consisting of nearly 8,000 acres is where acid rain was first discovered.