Hiking NH Mountains for Sunset

Why do we hike mountains? To get away? For the exercise? To explore? Whatever the reason, it can add a touch more excitement to be on top at sunset!

New Hampshire's mountains are an oasis for us city dwellers. Clean air, natural beauty, and those fantastic vistas. Late afternoon sunlight adds a new dimension: it transforms the mountain scape with pleasing light and shape-defining shadows. Then comes sunset, with its fast-changing color show. And, maybe, a rising moon, a few shooting stars and some constellations.

But, what about getting down in the dark? You'll need a headlamp or flashlight to find the trail, of course. But it's not as difficult as most people think. For one thing, there is twilight for a while after sunset, when there is still plenty of light. And, as light diminishes, the human eye adapts into its "night vision" mode. It can be a fun game to see how far down you can hike before having to turn on any artificial light.

So, where is a good mountain for sunset fun? New Hampshire's biggest mountains (the 4000 footers) are probably not the best place to start, because of the long hike down. However, there is a list of 52 shorter mountains in NH, each with a fine view, which has many good sunset-hiking candidates. You can find this "52 With-A-View" list on the NH Mountain Hiking website (www.nhmountainhiking.com). One of the mountains on this list is Mt. Pemigewasset, located on the west side of Route 93 where it runs through Franconia Notch.

Mt. Pemigewasset

Michelle and I hiked Mt. Pemigewasset (2557 feet tall) for sunset, picking the date to coincide with the night of the full moon. Once a month there is a sunset-hiking bonus, when the full moon rises in the east as the sun sets in the west. Two celestial sights for the price of one hike; and you get to hike down by moonlight. Often, on full-moon nights, I hike down after sunset and never turn on my headlamp at all.

According to the AMC White Mountain Guide (an excellent hiking resource), the hike up the Mount Pemigewasset Trail is 1.8 miles and takes 1 1/2 hours. So we timed our hike to arrive at the summit about an hour before sunset and enjoy supper-with-a-view. From Pemigewasset's granite ledge we watched a series of performances: late-afternoon sun bathing the forest canopy below, sunset in the west, full-moon-rise in the east, and, finally, civilization's glow meandering along Route 93 to the south (see photos). Pretty neat! Then a hike down by twilight, moonlight and headlamp.

Mt. Kearsarge

Another interesting sunset hike was to Mt. Kearsarge (also on the 52 With-A-View list), near the town of Andover, NH. I went up and down the Barlow Trail, which leaves from Winslow State Park. A good sunset depends on the right amount and type of clouds; and, in this case, everything was perfect. An incoming weather system filled the southern sky with a radiating pattern of high airy clouds, while the western sky was mostly clear. The result was two spectacular, and entirely different, sunset views south and west (see photos).

Getting started

So, what's the best way to get started hiking mountains for sunset? If you are uncomfortable about

night hiking, you might want to do some trial hiking around home, in a familiar and safe area, in early evening. Try out that headlamp. See if you can follow a street map and compass. Maybe extend the hike later into darkness on a night when the moon is absent.

If you are comfortable hiking in the dark, the next step might be to do sunset on a small nearby mountain with which you are familiar. Hike up the trail in late afternoon and turn around every so often to check out how the trail looks in reverse. Head back down right after sunset, when there is still plenty of twilight to see by. Do this hike with friends

-- extra eyes and brains help avoid errors and add peace of mind to the venture.

The next time you are backpacking or staying overnight at an AMC hut, think about hiking the nearest peak for sunset. A peak may be quite close, so the hike up and back might be short and could be timed to get you back to your lodging before twilight fades into night.

Hiking safety

What about safety? For any hike in New Hampshire's mountains, you should follow basic safety guidelines,

such as "The 10 essentials for a safe and pleasant hike" listed on AMC's website (www.outdoors.org/recreation/hiking/ hiking-essentials.cfm). In addition to these precautions, there are special issues when hiking down at night. A headlamp or flashlight is needed to see, especially on trail sections through thick woods. This is such a fundamental requirement that I always bring a backup light, just in case.

It's also easier to get lost at night. The woods look different at night, which can be fun, but can also be confusing. The precaution here is in four parts. First, make sure you have map and compass and know

how to use them. Second, stick to a trail with which you are familiar, preferably the trail you just came up. Third, bring with you whatever you would need to stay the night (uncomfortably, perhaps, but safely). And, fourth, have a positive state of mind about the possibility of getting lost. As my favorite outdoor author, Mark Jenkins, reminds us, being lost is a temporary state.

Planning a sunset hike

If you are planning a sunset hike, there are some on-line aids to help you. Go to the NH Mountain Hiking website (www.nhmountainhiking.com) and click on "Hikes at Sunset." Here you will find a link to the U.S. Navy's website, which tells when the sun will set at any given location and date. Check your AMC trail guide to see how long it takes the average hiker to ascend your chosen trail to the peak. Then add an extra hour margin to allow time for supper aloft and possible slowups in getting there.

If you are scheduling your sunset hike to coincide with a rising full moon, you will want to know when the moon will rise and where. On the Sunset Hikes webpage you will find links to two other sections of the Navy's website. One link tells on what date the moon will be full. The other link tells when and where the moon will rise. Use a map and compass to convert the moonrise degree bearing to a physical location (relative to your chosen peak) where you can expect to see the moon appear. Remember, though, that moonrise may be delayed up to half an hour or more if a mountain peak or ridge is between you and the horizon. The Navy data tells when the moon will clear the horizon, not higher surrounding mountains.

For sunset hikes, smaller peaks in a mountain range are generally better. Smaller peaks have shorter trails, making it easier to hike down during twilight. It is also impressive to watch sunset and moonrise from a mid-height seat, with taller peaks in view. The New Hampshire mountains on the 52 With-A-View list are ideal for sunset hikes. Or, pick a favorite small mountain near where you live.

Happy hiking!