DENALI CHALLENGE: Noon & Jennings Peaks

Today Jon and I finished the Denali Challenge on Jennings Peak! We had to reach summit elevations totaling over 20,000 feet over the weekend!!!

The water was high due to some overnight rain so the Drakes Brook crossing was a bit tricky using the normal crossing. I found some huge flat boulders a bit further down that made it easier. We were amazed as to the variety of mushrooms we saw so we labeled the hike the ‘mushroom walk’!

The Sandwich Mountain trail is fairly steep during its first two miles, and after the wilderness sign, it kicks into high gear and becomes almost overly steep.

At 1.1 miles we reached the large boulder where we took a swig of water. It always reminds us that the very steep section of this hike was about to begin! The extremely well maintained trail transitioned to a beautiful green of moss covered rocks and spruce. The color green was enhanced with the damp and overcast weather.

After a methodical pushing up thru the steep stuff, we make it to Noon Peak. No views today but were able to get shot of us together on the summit. We put on our rain jackets as it started to rain.

The trail dropped slightly and became more gradual. We passed a few open ledges continuing south but no views today due to the weather. At 2.5 miles we reached the junction with the Drakes Brook trail where we encountered a group of around eight. We passed them by and reached the .02 spur trail to the "NH 52 with a View" peak of 3460 foot Jennings Peak.

On the summit, we filled out our hiker log, took a few photos and celebrated with pizza! The descent meant enjoying viewing more mushrooms on this wet day.

The Denali Challenge was something special! The weather cooperated for the most part with a wet Sunday adding a little extra to the challenge. We climbed six peaks all together: The Scaur [2200’], North Tripyramid [4180’], Middle Tripyramid [4140’], South Tripyramid [4100’], Noon Peak [2976’] and Jennings Peak [3460’] for a total of 21,056 feet! Total mileage for the weekend was approximately 21.4 miles.  We were exhausted Saturday night after the Tripyramids but felt relaxed Sunday after hiking up Noon Peak and Jennings Peak. Simply the best!

~ Mike and Jon

The up and back hike to Noon Peak and Jennings Peak brings us to some fine viewpoints at several different elevation levels! Most of the trail is in the Sandwich Wilderness Range. This is the last of 3 hikes we’ll be doing as part of the weekend Denali Challenge.

We’ll start hiking up at 10 AM from the parking lot off Rte. 49 right before reaching Waterville Valley. It’s a 6 miles up and back where we’ll go up to the Noon Peak outlook [2976'] with excellent views north and east! The the trail crosses the narrow ridge crest of Noon Peak that passes outlooks over the Drakes River valley. We then continue to Jennings Peak [3460'] which commands impressive views south and east! After the hike we’ll drive into the Town Square to turn in our hiker card and claim the title “Alive After Five”! Everyone is welcome back to our house after the hike for sunbathing/swim in the Mad River at our house. Bring swim trunks and sandals.  

This is our last hike on our quest to complete the Waterville Valley based challenge where we hike five 4,000 footers [non-4,000 footers allowed] equaling 20,000 feet (Denali is at 20,328') claiming the title "Alive after five"!

Waterville Valley’s proximity to some of New England’s highest peaks makes it a great hiking destination.  With more than a dozen 4,000-foot peaks surrounding Waterville Valley, hikers are being challenged to climb five of them in a single weekend [non-4,000 footers and six is allowed] in a fun hiking event known as the Denali 5 Summit Challenge.

In order to meet this challenge, we will be hiking The Scaur [2200’] on Friday; the three Tripyramids, North Peak [4180], Middle Peak [4140], and South Peak [4100] on Saturday. On Sunday we’ll finish with a hike up Noon Peak [2976'] and Jennings Peak [3460'].   

If you would like to join us on this challenge, sign up for all three hikes we have posted for this weekend. There is no fee to participate in the Denali Challenge.Registration is from 6-8PM on Friday in the Town Square next to the info booth. Hikers will receive a welcome goody bag and hiker card.

On Sunday, after we hiked up Noon and Jennings Peak, we will turn in our finished cards at the Info Booth in Town Square. 

You will need to be prepared with sturdy hiking boots, at least 2 liters of water, lunch, snacks, bug spray, rain gear, and other clothing appropriate for the weather. No blue jeans, cotton shirts/sweaters, etc.