Skip to main content

The White Mountains- Mt. Tecumseh

I'm not sure who had the bright idea of climbing two 4,000 footers back to back but that's where we found ourselves on our second day in New Hampshire:  at the base of Mt. Tecumseh.  No, in reality, looking forward at the weather report, and given the importance to my husband that we climb the two mountains that he had climbed as a kid, we decided to tackle Mt. Osceola and Mt. Tecumseh first.

There is a lot of comparison of these two 4,000 footers online and among people, and both are rated moderate.  Now, I don't know if it is because we traveled far, climbed one 4,000 footer, then attacked another the following day, but Tecumseh felt harder in ways to me.  There is actually a split in our family about which was more difficult, 2 votes for Tecumseh and 2 for Osceola.  (And one vote is highly suspect given the amount of toads we encountered on Tecumseh 😉.)  Trying to remain as impartial as possible,  it is about 3 miles to both summits, Osceola is rocky and has a ton of switchbacks and the grade is more subtle, you have to go slower, and in my opinion, it makes the climb feel physically easier.  Tecumseh is immediately steep (I wish I had trekking poles!!!), and alternates between being steep, sort of steep, flattish, steep with rocks etc. You get the idea.  My boy with asthma had to take breaks and even took his puffer which he didn't have to do anywhere else on our hikes.  Luckily, even though the grumbling immediately started on the incline, toads were spotted early and often making it our son's favorite hike 😁.  I mean, how else would you judge a hike🐸?!


The kids immediately grabbed walking sticks to aid their ascent.

Rocks, roots, and steep inclines.




Some wildlife was spotted along the way, providing some much needed breaks in climbing.

How happy is he?
This is the biggest toad he (and I) have ever seen in person.
Look at it in his hand!


He took this close up 😊

You reach a point, where the trees clear giving you false hope that you are near the top, but...


there are still many hard parts to come.

Hang in there little man!

The view is quite the reward!

Just beautiful! How can you beat mountain after mountain?


More New Hampshire Adventures:


Labels:

Comments

  1. EHume21August 7, 2020 at 6:31 AM

    Glad to see Nick had gloves on to protect him from that toxic toad pee!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. DMV WandererAugust 7, 2020 at 8:44 AM

    Ha, ha, ha! That's funny. He'll actually tell you that the gloves are to protect the toads from any chemicals (bug spray, sunscreen, etc.) that are on his hands. They absorb through their skin.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fraser Preserve, Great Falls, VA- Spring

They take conservation seriously there.  This amused me to no end. Conservation trash talk! Fraser Preserve is admittedly a new discovery to me and my family.  It was property given to the Nature Conservancy in the 70's that allows and encourages walkers to enjoy.  It doesn't have tremendous mileage in terms of trails, but you can easily extend your walk via their connector trail west into Seneca Regional Park via the fire road or Potomac Heritage trail or east via the Potomac Heritage Trail towards Riverbend (see my very detailed map below).  The actual preserve is rich in wildlife and lush vegetation.  Once you enter the park from the parking lot there is, what I named in my map, an unmarked "Obvious Dirt Trail" to the left.  Take it!  I have never seen so many toads and frogs in one place in all of my life.  I dubbed that "Frog Forest."  It is also a pretty spot to stop for a snack or to have a picnic lunch.  The "Obvious Dirt Trail"...
Post a Comment
Read more

Exploring Lake Fairfax

Early one morning in the beginning of June, my boys and I left our house, sights set on Lake Fairfax.  Our backpacks were stuffed with snacks and water, cameras and binoculars, gloves and containers to examine any interesting critters that happened to be found.  We were set for a day in the woods, ready for adventure. Great Egret Lake Fairfax is a county run suburban park with many amenities.  It has a lake with various types of fish, a water park, a skate park, picnic pavilions, sports fields, and camp grounds.  It is easy to overlook as a local and turn to another park such as Great Falls or Riverbend, especially if you are looking to hike, but I highly suggest exploring it.  Go beyond the obvious attractions and head into the woods where a thick web of trails awaits your discovery. Over the years, my family and I have become intimately familiar with the park and trails as my sons' school has an annual cookout, and overnight camping trip there.  I have a...
Post a Comment
Read more

The White Mountains- Mt. Osceola

In the months leading up to this trip, my boys and I heard a lot about Mt. Osceola and Mt. Tecumseh.  Both are 4,000 footers my husband had done with his family growing up.  Our first full day in New Hampshire we decided to go for the gold and tackle Mt. Osceola.  We got to the trailhead pretty early and the small parking lot was pretty full.  We did pass some people, but not too many- thank goodness.  We heard lots of new birdsong, and saw some adorable chipmunks.  My youngest son has been very excited to see new colors and types of mushrooms.   The hike itself is ranked moderate, and I would say that is true for both me as an adult and for our kids (if you hike regularly).  It is however a very, very rocky hike, and makes its relative shortness of about 3 miles to the summit seem, and take, a lot longer than you might expect.  But Wow!  Just Wow!  The summit of Mt. Osceola does not disappoint.  It is worth all of the swi...
2 comments
Read more