I prefer short drives and long hikes, but eventually one feels a need to explore new territory. Evan, Ben and I drove up to Mt. Kearsarge Sunday, to make the trek from the Winslow State Park picnic area (elevation roughly 1820 feet) to the summit (roughly 2900 feet). There are two trails, so you can make it a 2.8 mile loop hike. I recommend the shorter, steep one (Winslow) on the way up, and the not quite so short, not nearly so steep one (Barlow) going down.

The view from the top is magnificent, though the summit itself has been much scarred by humans over the years (it now features a functioning fire tower, and an old hikers hut in advanced stages of decay). It’s a popular peak, with an even shorter (1/2 mile) trail access from Rollins State Park on the other side, but the bald, rocky top makes it rewarding. It would probably be all the more fun come winter, assuming they plow out the access road.