This past week was a fun one both in terms of hiking and some business things. I hiked Hale Tuesday and then Liberty on Thursday, was interviewed for a podcast (will post when it’s posted), and hopped on a instagram live with my friend Hilary to chat sports nutrition for endurance athletes (click here to watch that if interested!).
Let’s chat about the first hike –
While Hale might not be my favorite 4000 footer, the Fire Warden’s approach in the winter does surely resemble what I expect Narnia to look like. Having hiked Hale via this route before I knew it was a great option especially for winter. Due to Zealand Road being seasonally closed, the other approach is 10 miles including a little over 2.5 miles of road walking each direction… so equal road to trail. While this approach still was a little over 9 miles, it’s gorgeous!
For this hike, we opted to park at Seven Dwarfs Motel in Twin Mountain and pay the $10 hiker parking fee. From here we took the cut-through to Haystack Road and then North Twin Trail to Fire Warden’s. I had never done this as Haystack road is also open in the summer/fall alike Zealand Road and I’ve not hiked Hale or the Twins (other Haystack Road hike) in winter. New adventures!
I’m slowly chipping away at my winter 48 list, now sitting at 21. I find this amusing with almost wrapping up round five, but winter is arguably my least favorite hiking season just because I don’t do well in the cold. I say this, but I also used to road bike year round (and actually just did a little work on my road bike to get it ready for some rides soon!). Perhaps being outside in the cold all day is what I don’t do well with. Over the years I’ve also found winter to be when I prioritize strength training and have a building phase as I choose to make summer and fall my more endurance heavy seasons. Priorities and harmony.
One thing I really enjoy about Fire Warden’s is that it’s a gentle approach compared to Hale Brook Trail from Zealand Road side. Plus, the North Twin Trail up until Fire Warden’s is very chill and a nice little warm-up 🙂
While winter might not be my fave hiking season, the snowy forest sure is a favorite. It’s just so incredibly peaceful. And, those clouds!
While looking through my pictures, I realized the only picture I managed to snag of the classic Hale summit rock pile was with Hiker Dad standing on it trying to get a glimpse of Mt. Garfield through the trees (which he did!). I also managed to snag this view, with a jump in the air because 5’0″ tall problems, ha!
I think Hale gets a bad reputation due to the viewless summit. But, there’s so much beyond the summits. It’s all in the little steps to get there. The trail, the experience, the process.
“For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, its insides come out and everything changes. To someone who doesn’t understand growth, it would look like complete destruction.”
Cynthia Occelli