GetWinter Hike #1: Greeley Ponds

The GetWinter hikes are a series of hikes that get progressively difficult and finish with a hike of a 4K peak.  

 

In the 2014 series, Rick & I decided to start with Greeley Ponds along with Robert, George and two Tims :D.  

The day was overcast, but much warmer than average making it a pleasant day for an easy winter hike.  There was plenty of snow on the ground, but the trail was packed down nicely.  Tim used microspikes, but the rest of us used snwoshoes.  Either were perfectly fine for this hike.  

We headed up from the trailhead and amde our way towards the ponds.  There was a nice ice bridge across one of the small streams that we had no problem crossing. As we made our way further in we took in the nice view of East Osceloa.  Eventually, we followed the trail to the first pond.  Mt. Osceloa was shrouded in low clouds and we paused to take plenty of pictures before continuing to the next pond.  At the next pond and some more pictures, we decided to head back before the rain started.  

 

After the hike, some of us met at the Common Man in Lincoln for a drink and some cheese and crackers before heading home to watch the Superbowl (halftime show). :)

 

Overall, agreat hike with a very nice group.   I'm looking forward the next next hike in the series (Pawtuckaway State Park).

Join our GetWinter hikes designed to get you into winter hiking. This is a series of progressively harder winter hikes leading up to a 4,000 footer.

 

This trip's focus is to get you familiar with using snowshoes. It's an exciting beginner snowshoe hike with scenery provided by the two Greeley Ponds in a wild and mountainous setting. You can reserve and rent snowshoes from your local outdoor outfitter such as REI, EMS, or from Ski Fanatics off Exit 28 on I-93.

 

We are taking the Greeley Ponds Trail end that starts at the Kancamagus Highway and returning the same way we hiked in. Approximately 4 miles, 400 feet elevation gain and 2 1/2 hours. Be sure to bring appropriate winter gear such as winter insulated boots, snowshoes , warm clothing (no cotton and blue jeans), water, snacks, etc. We will not be having a lunch stop so eat before we start.  After the hike, we can stop at one of the local restaurants in Lincoln for a post hike drink/food.

 

What is the alternative to no cotton and blue jeans? We recommend you purchase synthetic mid-weight underwear (tops/bottoms) as the skin layer, fleece for the mid/insulation layer, and a hard shell jacket (preferably gore-tex) for the outer layer. Over the underwear bottoms you should have either nylon/gore-tex pants and if cold, then ski pants. And it is very important to have winter insulated boots with warm wool socks over your feet.

 

Where can you practice snowshoeing near Manchester, NH before the trip? The trails around Lake Massabesic (near the Audubon Center) are good and Bear Brook State Park (the x-c ski trailhead) in Allenstown.