Warner, NH (USA)

Great day for a climb!  Wasn’t feeling up to a rocky, icy AT slog so I headed south on I-89 to Warner, hoping to hike up Mount Kearsarge (after scouting it last week).  Started (at around 0830) from the parking lot at Rollins State Park and used the 3.5 mile access road (paved) and Rollins Trail (0.5 miles) to reach the summit.  I didn’t see anyone during the ascent but the top was packed with people who’d walked in from the Winslow State Park side (1 mile trail).  View was tremendous!  Saw familiar peaks to the west (Greylock, Monadnock, Sunapee, Peru, Killington, Ascutney), huge lakes on both sides (Winnipesauke, Sunapee), the Connecticut River and the impressive White Mountains to the north (tops fading into the clouds).  I tried to find the Boston skyline (80 miles away) but the horizon was too hazy.  It wasn’t too windy and the sun kept me comfortable.  Descent was much easier, of course, and I talked to a lot of families that were just starting their hike.  The lot was full when I got to my car after walking nearly 8 miles.  Went back to Lebanon on I-89 and arrived at around 1400.  Once again, the Early Bird wins!