Date: 2018-07-19
From: NH 25

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

Day Maker offered me a lift back to the trailhead this morning. He even sent me on my way with a cold Gatorade. It was a chilly morning and I started the hike with my long sleeve shirt and glove inserts.Spring came at last and I love it! The hike was all about Mount Moosilauke today. It is considered the southern gateway to the White Mountains on the AT. At an elevation of 4,802 feet, it is also the first peak over 4K since Virginia (not counting Killington Peak accessed by the blue blaze trail). It is also one of 20 4K+ peaks along the AT in New Hampshire.This was bound to be a great day! The adrenaline was already pumping through my body as I rock-hopped across Oliverian Brook and hit the Glencliff Trail leading to the summit of Moosilauke. The 3,700¢ ascent was spread over 5.5 miles. The trail was soft in the beginning and the slope increased over distance. The bulk of the climb came over the two miles leading up to the Moosilaule South Peak. Rocks and boulders replaced the soft trail, but they were shaped and spaced in a way that did not hinder my stride. After a few days of relatively low miles I felt more rested and stronger than I have in a while. Although the grade towards the top was very steep, my breathing and rhythm were in check and the excitement grew inside of me. I was back in the mountains again and it felt great! After reaching South Peak, the trail would rise only 300 more feet over the next mile. The anticipation was growing and it was all I could do to keep from sprinting to the top. I could hear joyful sounds coming from hikers already at the top. About a half mile out I could see the open summit and the rock cairns marking the path. The evergreen trees grew shorter, eventually giving me views to the east and west. Then everything began to open up as I came within 200 yards of the rocky summit. Magnificent! A lump grew in my throat as I held back tears. I hiked hundreds of miles waiting for this moment. At that moment I was reminded that the AT rewards those who persevere. I couldn¢t help but think about Which Way as I drew closer to the top. I was flashing back to the time I caught up to her as she was singing praise to God at an awesome vista in North Carolina. I could almost see her ahead of me climbing with confidence, reminiscent of the day she hiked up Hump Mountain. Yes, this is still our journey. At the summit everything opened up. The 360 view was simply breathtaking. I¢m pretty certain it is the best I¢ve witnessed thus far. A look back to the high peaks of Vermont; she never looked so beautiful. Endless mountains to the northwest and southeast. But the most glorious view was to the northeast. Kinsman Mountain in the foreground¢tomorrow¢s trek. Behind it was the Franconia Ridge, rising to Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette¢a two day hike. Beyond that, more of the Presidentials. On the edge of the horizon rose Mount Washington¢still four days of hiking away. It was all right there before me. I could almost trace the AT over the mountains and ridges. Over a hundred miles of this to come...and beyond that...the Wildcats...Maine. As WW would say, WOWSA!!! Epic was waiting at the top for me. We hung out for a while, taking it all in and chatting with other hikers, who had converged on the summit from all directions. We started working our way off the north side of the summit, now following the Beaver Brook Trail. The AT is still marked with white blazes through the White Mountains, but other trail names are used to label the path. Within a 1/4 mile we were back in the wood line. The 3,000¢ descent over four miles started out on a gradual decline. Once again the trail was soft. About 2.5 miles into the descent the trail passed by Beaver Brook Shelter. By the way, this marked the 1,800 mike point (Wowza Yowza). From here the trail followed Beaver Brook down the mountain as it cascaded it¢s way down the steep decline. The extremely steep slope was 25-30% grade for over a mile. All along the way were spectacular Falls and occasional views of Kinsman Mountain. Once again, the spacing of large boulders and rocks made the hike down fairly easy. Rain would have turned it from a technical challenge to a treacherous undertaking. Not today though. Epic and I decided we would share a room in North Woodstock at the end of the day. We could get a free shuttle to the Inn from Kinsman Notch (today) and Franconia Notch (tomorrow). It is about the same distance from both locations. This would allow us to keep the same room and leave behind the items not needed for tomorrow¢s hike. When we got to Kinsman Notch a surprise awaited us in the form of Trail Magic! Hydro, the trail angel, asked me if I was Next Step when I emerged from the woods into the parking lot. I said I was and he shook my hand and introduced himself. I recognized the name as someone who had sent me a note from our trail journal guestbook a week or two ago. He said that he was going to try to bring me some trail Magic when I hit the White Mountains. He certainly made good on his promise. We offered up Ham and Swiss Cheese wraps, donuts, sodas, chips, Little Debbie Snacks, etc. In other words, lunch and dessert. Hydro drove two hours from Maine to deliver the Magic. He said he follows one or two journals each year and tries to meet the people he follows. I just wish he could have met the better half of our Journal. When he is not building hydro-electric projects and delivering trail magic, Hydro is an active member of the Maine AT Club. He and his wife help edit the Maine AT Guidebook every year. It was a pleasure to meet him and share in his magic. Grumpy and two other NOBOs (Pac-Man and his wife Pace Car) eventually joined Epic and me as recipients of Hydro¢s kindness.After hanging in the parking area for about an hour, I called for our shuttle. By 3:30PM we were settled in our room. We pretty much just lazed around talking about what a great day it had been and planning the next step. We took a break to walk a short distance to the Woodstock Inn for a delicious dinner. There is so much more to be said, but I¢m tired of writing, as I¢m sure some of you are tired of reading.Peace & Blessings - NSElevation Data:Ascent - 3,960Descent - 3,130Grade - 14.2Weather:Day - 79 / SunnyNight - 51 / ClearOver The Horizon: Mount Washington