GetWinter Hike #1: Greeley Ponds

We met at 1:00pm. The parking lot was plowed but full with Seth having to park at the alternative cross-country ski lot down the Kancamagus Highway. The weather was nippy (10F or so), with light breezes, and clear blue skies. 

The trail was packed down and we were walking on a firm surface with our snowshoes. We went slowly, laughing and chatting, a typical GetWinter hike! 

We were walking on the Greeley Ponds trail. The approach is only 2 miles with the total ascent only 400 feet. We found the trail easier in Winter because the bog bridges were covered with snow.

We climbed easily to Mad River Notch, where the Mount Osceola Trail diverges on the right. We met a couple who had just descended from Mount Osceola's East Peak and the guy's  beard was covered with small icicles. It gave us an idea how brutal and cold the winds were up high. 

We found the frozen ponds and were rewarded with the west shoulder of Mount Kancamagus and Mount Osceola's precipitous East Peak framing them in a wild and mountainous setting! 

We arrived at the upper pond and walked onto a cold, frozen blue, alpine lake. We walked across the frozen pond under the cliffs. When we reached the other side of the pond, near the outlet, Jon broke thru the ice but only his foot went through. With a little guidance from me, I asked everyone to move towards the shoreline, and things were a little easier.

We then hiked toward the lower pond where the wind was stronger. It was real cold with the wind as we walked  across the pond towards a sunny spot on the southern end. Finally, we took a short break in the sun. We ate and drank, and soaked in the sunshine gazing at the snow plumes from the towering cliffs on each side.

Sure enough we got cold after a while and returned facing a strong and cold headwind as we hiked across the open pond. 

The hike back down was routine. We met nobody on the return. 

We celebrated afterwards with pizza and beer at my house in Wateville Valley. The comaraderie just seems to keep getting better and better!

~ Mike

Join our GetWinter hikes designed to get you into winter hiking. This is a series of progressively harder winter hikes leading up to a 4,000 footer.

This trip's focus is to get you familiar with using snowshoes. It's an exciting beginner snowshoe hike with scenery provided by the two Greeley Ponds in a wild and mountainous setting. You can reserve and rent snowshoes from your local outdoor outfitter such as REI, EMS, or from Ski Fanatics off Exit 28 on I-93.

We are taking the Greeley Ponds Trail end that starts at the Kancamagus Highway and returning the same way we hiked in. Approximately 4 miles, 400 feet elevation gain and 2 1/2 hours. Be sure to bring appropriate winter gear such as winter insulated boots, snowshoes (we have some to borrow so let us know), warm clothing (no cotton and blue jeans), water, snacks, etc. We will not be having a lunch stop so eat before we start. After the hike we can hang out by the fireplace at my house in Waterville Valley for pizza/beer (sharing costs). Your welcome to bring a change of clothing and take a shower. 

What is the alternative to no cotton and blue jeans? We recommend you purchase synthetic mid-weight underwear (tops/bottoms) as the skin layer, fleece for the mid/insulation layer, and a hard shell jacket (preferably gore-tex) for the outer layer. Over the underwear bottoms you should have either nylon/gore-tex pants and if cold, then ski pants. And it is very important to have winter insulated boots with warm wool socks over your feet.

Where can you practice snowshoeing near Manchester, NH before the trip? The trails around Lake Massabesic (near the Audubon Center) are good and Bear Brook State Park (the x-c ski trailhead) in Allenstown.

MeetUp Location: Take Exit 32 off I-93 and drive through Lincoln onto the Kancamagus Highway past Otter Rocks Rest Area and the forest service's trail sign for East Pond on your right. Don't turn off at the sign for the Greeley Ponds Cross-Country Ski Trail! Continue on to the next sign on your right, for the Greeley Ponds Trail parking. The distance from exit 32 to the parking area is 10.3 miles.

Carpooling: Contact other members to carpool, share the conversation and travel expenses. Let us know if you want to carpool with Jon and I on I-93 off Exit 28.

Lodging Option: Lodging available Saturday night after the trip at my house in Waterville Valley for $20 each night. Cost includes a continental breakfast with coffee. Accommodations are dormitory style bunk beds. Hot showers, bed linen, towels, soap, shampoo, full use of the kitchen and fireplace is included. No need to bring a sleeping bag. RSVP IS REQUIRED AND SPACE IS LIMITED TO EIGHT GUYS.

Event Coordinators: Mike Boisvert and Jon Normand