M. J. Wild

"There is a place I go when life gets too static and civilization seems far from civil. It is a place where they all know me and everywhere is free. Where i can sit in solitude and feel the Earth's energy. Be at peace with everything around me. Where I can hear the voices of animals. A place where I can speak the secret language of trees." - Emelia The 9th 4,000 footer off the list and almost into the double digits. At the beginning of this year I never would have thought I w

I made a promise earlier this year that we would hike Mount Washington before the start of the school year. I cut it very close and was almost unable to keep my promise. Weather and other life circumstances almost did not allow this to happen. I was determined to keep my promise and this day seemed like an ideal day to make the trip. This mountain is the tallest of the 4,000 footers and is actually a staggering 6,288 feet! It is the tallest peak of New England and all of the

10th 4,000 footer! Officially in the double digits. This was another mountain part of the Presidential Range that offers some breath taking views. This day I wasn't sure I was going to be able to catch a view or not as rain was in the forecast. It turned out to be pretty decent weather despite a short down pour on the way back down. The hike itself was mostly in the woods until we left the treeline. From there it was nothing but rocks with only Cairns and faded markers leadin

This was my second time hiking Mount Willey just on a different trail. I chose this trail because it offered a view of Ripley Falls that I had been meaning to see, but had yet to make my way to see it. This trail started out very gradual with a very relaxed incline. The trail became very steep once the trail changed from "Ethan Pond Trail" to "Willey Range Trail." It was extremely rocky and steep and wouldn't be good for a beginner, young children or dogs. Closer to the top t

"The wilderness holds answers to questions man has not yet learned to ask." -Nancy Newhall 4,000 footers of NH are being checked off the list left and right. Here is yet another one in the books. This one was nothing short of difficult, but the reward as always was worth it. This 4,000 footer is also a ski resort in the winter with a running tram and lodge at the summit. The trail i decided to hike up with my son was easier than any of the others as far as I could tell. Accor

Another 4,000 footer in the books. At first the trail head was a little difficult to find, but after careful examination of my All Trails Map I was able to locate it. After walking North up 302 a short distance from the train station I was able to find a small staircase leading to the trail on the right hand side of the road. The trail going up to Pierce was the Crawford Path. It was a beautiful trail going up with a small but pretty waterfall on the way. It was pretty buggy

Hiking this trail was definitely a experience I recommend to everyone looking for a little bit of a challenge and beautiful views. The day I happened to trek up was absolutely beautiful which was a miracle because the majority of my hikes this year have been in the rain. I couldn't have picked a more gorgeous day! I started up the Falling Waters Trail which was impressive. It had a little bit of rock scrambling and river hoping but nothing unmanageable. The first peak i summi

4,000 footers number 2 and 3 are in the books. This was probably the most miserable hike i have done so far this year. Not because of the trail itself but because weather conditions were less than ideal. I hike rain or shine and it seems I have had more rain than shine this season. This day was a cold wet one. "Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing." -Barry Finlay The first summit was Mt. Avalon, which was the only one i was able to catch a view from. T

4,000 footer #1 for 2019. It wasn't until recently that I made the goal and decision of hiking all the 4,000 footers in New England. Mount Hale was numero uno of 67 summits. This was probably one of the easiest I will have to conquer and definitely not one with the best views, but hey it's on the list so it had to be completed. The hike was pretty moderate crossing Hale Brook and heading up some pretty rocky inclines. The trail was pretty wet and snowy closer to the summit, b