Our first family hike was up Mt. Kearsarge in Warner. We started at Rollins State Park, where you can drive the first 3.5 miles and walk the rest of the way to the summit, .5 mile. Typically there is a fee, $4 for adults, $2 for children 6-11, and children under 6 and NH residents over 65 are free. We didn't pay a fee because we went before the park was open for the season, so there also were no amenities available.
Mount Kearsarge is 2,937 feet and is the highest peek in Merrimack County. The road leading up to the parking lot where we parked was paved and very well maintained. It was somewhat narrow, but wide enough for another car to pass if both cars moved to the side. There were several areas to pull off and enjoy the view.
There were 3 or 4 areas to pull to the side to look at the view, but the rest of the drive up was mostly wooded and not very "scenic". But the few places there were, and the hike after, were worth the 3.5 mile drive up. When we got to the end of the road, there was a large parking lot with a nice view of the south and east. There was also a picnic area.
Kara and TJ, and then me and Jim, at the start of our hike.
It was a beautiful day, we wore sweatshirts for parts of the hike, and it was extremely windy at the top, but it was clear and warm.
The hike up was fairly easy. We all made it with no real problems. The trail was definitely going up in most places, but it was not very steep or hard to climb.
There was a point, about halfway, that was a large rock that you could climb (really walk) onto and see some south and east views. We could see the parking lot where we had parked (that small almost white area to the right of the center of the picture).
The last part of the hike up was all rock, that was the hardest part of our hike, but we all made it up just fine. This would be harder for smaller children, but for TJ and Kara it was OK. The summit was beautiful. There were views all around. Although it was a very clear day, we could not find Boston's skyline. Jim and I both looked in all directions, and the tallest things we could find were mountains. We could see Mt. Washington, with snow on top (center picture)!
The top was all rock and the kids enjoyed climbing it. There was also a fire tower at the top, we climbed up the three flights of stairs, but I couldn't get any pictures because I was afraid if I let go, the wind would blow me off the tower! It was extremely windy on top of the mountain, never mind another three flights up in a rickety old fire tower!
Climbing back down was OK. The first part of going down was hard because it was all rock. I kept visualizing one of the kids tumbling head over heels down the rocky surface. But, thankfully, they both made it just fine. Jim showed them how to lean back as the walked down and they both did it (luckily, I was watching too so I knew what to do)! The rest of the hike down was nice, we stopped at that half way ledge again and took a little break. When we got back to the parking lot, we enjoyed our picnic lunch and the great view from the bed of the truck!
Overall, this was an amazing first hike for us. It was a total of one mile, took us about an hour and a half round trip, including the time we spent at the summit. The climb was not too hard or steep, and the view was incredible! I am afraid that we won't be able to top this adventure!
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