Your SRKG directors have once again arranged for a series of exciting winter hikes in the Lake Sunapee region. The hikes, as always, offer a variety of terrain and conditions, and will include snowshoe and cross-country ski treks. A special feature again this year will be a moonlight snowshoe hike.

Hike leaders will offer full details for each event, including starting place and time and equipment needs. Please contact the hike leader in advance to get the details. Since winter hikes require special attention to physical conditioning, weather and snow conditions, participants are encouraged to evaluate their capabilities carefully before joining any group. Bring water and a snack but leave dogs at home.

Jan 14 (Sat) Nick Baer (526-8233) On Jan 14th we will be hiking Kearsarge Valley Road to Winslow State Park (SRK trail 11) which will take us over Mount Kearsarge and just north west of Black Mountain. We will meet at 8:30 am at the base of the Winslow State Park (where the plowed road ends), and we will shuttle to the Kearsarge Valley Road trail head to start. The hiking distance is 6.1 miles and is rated challenging due to the distance and the winter weather conditions. Hikers should plan for winter hiking and bring warm layers, snowshoes, lunch/snacks and water. If interested please call Nick Baer at 603-526-8233. (D)

Jan 21 (Sat) Andy Hager (526-2846) Cross-country ski to Springfield’s Morgan Pond from Twin Lake Villa.
5 miles. for experienced skiers. (M)

Jan 28 (Sat) Susan and Michael Chiarella (763 4661) or schiarella@myfairpoint.net. Explore the shores of one of the areas remote ponds accessible by snowshoes and snowmobiles in the dead of winter. Weather permitting, pack a lunch to be enjoyed on an island in the middle of Morgan Pond in Springfield. Dress for a 3-mile winter hike. Ability moderate. Contact the Chiarellas before Jan. 26 if interested. (M)

Feb 4 (Sat) Brian Faughnan (526-7838) Snowshoe over winter trails in Wilmot’s Patterson Road area. Refreshments afterward at the Faughnans. 3 miles. (M)

Feb 11 (Sat) Lee Carvalho (735-5719) Exploring Tucker Mountain in East Andover. This hike is better described as a walk in the woods. We’ll be joined by Frank Baker, a resident of East Andover who knows these woods well. Frank will help us learn to track and to recognize other signs of animal presence as well as show us some special trees and places. We expect to be out for about 4 hours; bring a lunch, snacks and water. Most likely we’ll be on snowshoes. Email for details, including start time and location: leecarvalho6@gmail.com (or 735-5719) (M)

Feb 18 (Sat) Nick Baer (526-8233) We will be hiking from 4A to Wilmot Center (SRK trail 7) which takes us over Bog Mountain. We will spend some time on the hike looking for animal tracks and talk about adaptations animals have to survive our NH winters. The total hike distance is 4.6 miles and we will start at 4A where it intersects School House Road, and end at the library parking lot in Wilmot Center. Hikers should plan for winter hiking and bring warm layers, snowshoes, lunch/snacks and water. The hike is rated moderate due to the distance and winter conditions. We will meet at the North Wilmot Library at 9:00am, and we will shuttle hikers to the hike start at the intersection of 4A and School House Road. If interested please call Nick Baer at 603-526-8233. (M)

Feb 25 (Sat) No hike scheduled
Mar 3 (Sat) Gerry Gold (526-2857) Journey along Sunapee Ridge to Lucia’s Lookout to appreciate

the unique view seen only by dedicated trekkers. 10 miles (D)

Feb 7, 8 or 9 (Wed, Thu or Sat) Dave Cook (526-4570) or dwcook@tds.net. See text for all details. (M)