In an effort to get in shape for our upcoming hike to the Grand Canyon (want to help us raise money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society? Donate here!), we have been trying to hike more. Unfortunately, though there has been little snow or ice in the Boston area, it has been a slightly different story in New Hampshire.

While in Albany, NH for a stay at the Darby Field Inn (review coming soon!) we decided that we wanted to go hike Mt. Chocorua, but heard that we would need microspikes to do so. Neither of us had them, so we decided upon the smaller height of South Moat with the option of extending to Middle and North Moat.

While this is a really short hike if you are only doing South Moat (2.7 miles each way), you gain 2300 feet in those short miles. And there is a lot of scrambling up rock slabs which were very wet and sometimes icy when we went.  Since we were both suffering from colds, we took our sweet time and I was able to look around. Have you ever noticed that some tree barks look like camouflage?

All the scrambling and climbing and dealing with (really really) stinky dogs though was worth it for the view from the top.  Topping out at 2770 feet total, the summit is also a bald one, meaning that there are no trees on it.  Beautiful and amazing views!

We will be going back to finish the other two summits at another time, hopefully before black fly season 🙂

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