Cross-Country Skiing Adventures in Northern NH

INTRODUCTION: 

For this time around, there isn’t much to write about that is fresh and new.  Most of my recent outdoor activity has been limited to the enjoyment of cross-country skiing (a.k.a. XC-skiing) here in my home State of New Hampshire.  And so, this posting will consist merely of a few snapshots taken during those ski outings.

Oftentimes, “cross-country skiing” and “Nordic skiing” and are used interchangeably.  But technically, Nordic skiing is a term that encompasses several skiing styles, i.e. cross-country, Telemark, and alpine touring.  And, cross-country skiing itself can be further divided into four subcategories, i.e. classic, skate, light touring, and backcountry touring.  Click HERE for a detailed description of all these skiing styles.  Most of my skiing is a combination of light touring and classic style, along with some occasional backcountry touring.

PHOTOS:

 XC-Skiing along the Saco River near Bartlett, NH

Backcountry skiing near Bartlett, NH.  The view includes (L to R) Mt. Nancy, Mt. Bemis, and Hart Ledge

Late evening XC-Ski in woodlands near Bethlehem, NH.  Have often thought that sunsets are sort of like “slight-of-hand” magic . . . now you see them, now you don’t.

XC-skiing at USFS’s Beaver Brook trail system near Twin Mountain, NH

Colorful ice formation as seen when XC-skiing USFS’s Hayes-Copp trails near Gorham, NH

XC-skiing in an open meadow along USFS’s Hayes-Copp trails near Gorham, NH.  This vista of the Carter Range extends from Imp Face (LEFT) to Carter Dome (RIGHT)

A view of Nelson Crag in the Presidential Range as seen when XC-skiing USFS’s Hayes-Copp trails near Gorham, NH.

In late-winter the Mooseway XC-ski trail was used to access Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge.  This photo features Cherry Mountain as viewed across frozen Cherry pond.

Photo taken while skiing along the Mooseway XC-ski trail

Was truly “wowed” by my first visit to the Crescent Ridge Glade backcountry ski area!  The views from the wildlife clearing shown here are spectacular!  Click HERE for more information about Crescent Ridge Glade.

Zooming in on King Ravine from the wildlife clearing at the Crescent Ridge Glade backcountry ski area

A slightly zoomed view of The Nubble from USFS’s Beaver Brook XC-ski trails near Twin Mountain, NH

Delightful combination of blue sky and white birch as viewed when XC-skiing USFS’s Beaver Brook XC-ski trails near Twin Mountain, NH

TO SUM IT UP: 

Hopefully, this blog posting will contain something of interest for those who share my enthusiasm for cross-country skiing.  But regardless of whether you have no interest in this sport, or have yet to try it, perhaps you at least derived some measure of pleasure from viewing the photos within this report. 😃