Hi! I have taken a bit of a break from posting lately as life has become slightly busier with the start of fall.  I did have a great trip up to the White Mountains a couple weeks ago which I would like to share.

My family and I have been members of the Appalachian Mountain Club for a number of years.  They have several huts in the Presidential range which you can stay at if you make reservations ahead of time- they are wonderful.  A crew (or “croo” as they are called historically) makes you dinner and breakfast and you sleep in bunk rooms.  We hiked up to one of the huts, Mizpah, on Friday.  (Below is me outside the hut on a previous trip.)

We then went up a very steep trail which lead us to the top of Mount Pierce with spectacular 360 degree views of the White Mountains.

The trail to Mizpah is perhaps one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.  I remember this moss garden from childhood and feel so lucky to be able to return as an adult and see it still in tact the same as I remember it being.

The hikes in the Whites are hard and steep- but well worth the views.  On Saturday, my boyfriend and I decided to hike down from the top of Cannon Mountain after taking the tram up…

As you can see below, it was quite a steep mountain!

The hike down was one of the hardest I have ever done…. there was some serious scrambling and several times I had to abandon all dignity and slide on my bum.

(As you can see from Matt’s height above me here, it was quite formidable.)

We successfully made it down however in good spirits.  I would recommend this hike with a caution- it is hard going and you should bring plenty of water and give yourself plenty of time.  If you are planning on taking the tram down, make sure to start no later than 1 pm or so.  The last tram leaves at 5pm, and it would not be fun to get stuck on this mountain if you are inexperienced.