Mt. Hale for my third time was on the docket for the day. The Bartender, Awestruck, and Thoreau were all up for a hike, but the forecast called for rain. Mt. Hale is always the bad weather goto when you still want to hike a 4000-footer, so that’s what we did.

I also realized this was my 63rd 4000-footer, which seems hard to believe. I guess I’m on round two of the NH48. (And even round 3 for a couple of summits).

Since Hale is short-ish, we decided to start a little later than usual, and hopefully avoid traffic on the way home. We arrived at the trailhead around noon, and grabbed a spot right in the lot. Sometimes leaving later, means you can get parking from folks that have finished up!

Mt. Hale is definitely not the sexiest of the 4000-footers. It’s pretty much a straight climb to the summit. While a short trail, it’s not lacking in elevation gain. 4.4 total miles with 2,176 feet of elevation gain. Means about 1,000 feet of gain per mile on the ascent, which isn’t nothing.

The great thing about Hale, if one can say anything about Hale is great, is that there aren’t any sketchy parts. The trail is actually nice in a few places, although mostly the granite rocks and tree routes one expects in the White Mountains. But it doesn’t have any sketchy granite slabs, or steep and scary drop offs. It does have two water crossings, but they’re pretty small and easily crossed.

So we were prepared for rain and bugs. The forecast had rain, and we were just at the end of the typical black fly season. Very fortunately for us, we didn’t need either preparation. There were a few very short sprinkles at the start, and then no rain. There were a few bugs at the summit, but nothing requiring a head net.

Mt. Hale is a viewless summit. However! There is one small interesting thing. The large cairn at the top is largely made up of volcanic rocks that are magnetic and mess with your compass! They also apparently stick to your water tube magnet.

There were some lovely little flowers around, though for some reason my phone didn’t focus correctly. We’ll say I was being artsy.

Of course, we took lots of pics, including my favorite behind the scenes pic, “Where do we look?”

After a snack/lunch, it was time to the descend. As usual, we had great conversations, loads of laughs, and 90% of it can never be repeated in front of anyone else.

I was also quizzing the ladies to see if they were ready for hikes without me. Between the three of them, I think they mostly had right answers. I believe they came up with the slogan “Alone we die, together we survive”. So I guess they’re ready?! Ha!

Thoreau took this photo of the Bartender, Awestruck, and myself. The Bartender showing a little sass.

I didn’t take many pics today, but did stop for this mushroom pic.

And here we are back at the trailhead and our car!

• Distance: 4.4 miles
• Elevation gain: 2,176 feet
• Total time: 6 hours, 24 minutes
• Moving time: 4 hours, 10 minutes