Mount Tecumseh: 1/17/23

The snow in the woods quickly turned gloppy on this warm, sunny January day, and a short jaunt along the Livermore Trail dissuaded me from undertaking a snowshoe journey out towards the Tripyramid slides. That would have been a long slog in the wet snow. Plan B was a spike hike up Mt. Tecumseh, which I knew would have a solidly packed track after all the weekend traffic.

 

Partway up the trail I ran into a descending group that included eight-time White Mountains Grid finisher "Hiker Ed" Hawkins (on left) and Summerset Banks (on right), also a Grid finisher and former member of the AMC Four Thousand Footer Committee. Also in the group were two hikers who had achieved their goals on Tecumseh's summit - Nate for the Grid (center) and Ken for the Winter 4000-Footers (gentleman just right of Ed).

The ski trail viewpoint about halfway up the trail (in distance, not elevation).

Intimate view of the Osceolas.

Looking up the shady, mile-long grind from the ski trail viewpoint to the ridgecrest.

New signage at the Sosman Trail junction.

A fine day for views, looking east from Tecumseh's summit.

The Tripyramids and Scaur Peak.

Peering into Avalanche Ravine between Scaur Peak and North Tripyramid.

View southeast towards Sandwich Dome and Flat Mountain.

South Hancock, the snowy tip of Mt. Washington and Mt. Carrigain, between the Osceolas.

Tecumseh's summit doesn't get much sun in January.

One of three Boreal Chickadees who came by for a summit visit.

Streaky clouds at the northwestern outlook along the Sosman Trail, 0.4 mile south of the summit. This is my favorite viewpoint on the mountain, with a unique perspective looking beyond Tecumseh's broad West Peak.

The Franconias to the north, looking rather bony for January.

 

An eerie view of Mt. Moosilauke in the grasp of a clinging cloud.

 

Any report on the Waterville side of the Mount Tecumseh Trail should recognize the incredible trail work performed over the last several years by dedicated volunteer Jeremy Clark (aka rocket21).