Peak Above the Nubble

This short bushwack in New Hampshire was one of my first trailless hikes for the Hundred Highest list. Having finished most of the blazed and trailed peaks on the list, I had picked most of the “low hanging fruit.” It was time to begin knocking off the hikes that required more care and research. The Nubble hike was a no brainer. It’s a short hike with little drama. It’s been done so many times, the herd path to the peak presents itself to a practiced eye.

I reviewed some online sources prior to the hike, and acquired a GPX file from the crowd sourced All Trails app. The website can be a help in reviewing recent trail conditions, and the trail recordings can help if you’re apprehensive about your compass and navigation skills. I don’t trust the routing as gospel. I always review the topo map for the area and consider other routes. I always carry a map, a compass and a second GPS navigation device. Because I hike in winter alone a great deal, I also carry an emergency beacon.

It was a cold December day. I parked at a lot in Twin Mountain,NH and left money for the owner of the lot on the windshield. It’s common practice on this hike in winter and his hospitality in allowing hikers to use the lot for a nominal fee is generous.

I hiked up the road and was soon in the woods on a well worn path. The hike itself was uneventful. I drifted off bearing a few times, but corrected myself, dodging branches from poking me in the eye. There was minimal snow cover and microspikes did the job just fine. Weather was fogged in at the top, and I didn’t tarry. Winter hiking requires you to keep moving or you’ll cool off. No snack or thermos of coffee here, I headed back the way I’d come up.

Since this first ‘whack, I’ve noted that the trip back is always a little clearer to me. Maybe it’s the ability to see down trail to a greater degree, but I can usually trace the way I came up better when I’m on the way out.

This is an easy hike in winter when the foliage is gone and the tourists are at a minimum. Either way, it’s a one and done for me.