Approximately 4 miles round trip — The Winslow Trail is 1.1 miles each way, and in the winter, the access road isn’t plowed, adding “approximately” another mile each way. Tack on another .7 for a loop with the Barlow Trail.
Mt. Kearsarge elevation: 2,937 feet
2-4 hours (pending children)
Difficulty: Family Hike
Equipment needed: snowshoes or microspikes; trekking poles with winter baskets
Mt. Kearsarge via the Winslow Trail is the perfect beginner trek for those new to winter hiking. Whether young or young at heart, it’s the right combination of short and sweet with a few strenuous steep sections mixed in to test those snow legs and acclimate to winter traction. The open summit offers outstanding views with the opportunity to experience harsh winter winds without prolonged exposure. For experienced winter hikers, Mt. Kearsarge offers a quick getaway and a good early season hike.
The Winslow State Park access road isn’t plowed in the winter, adding a mile(ish) of extra walking fun to reach the summer trailhead. This part of the hike climbs gradually and steady past the toll gate (no winter fee) to the summer parking lot. There’s limited parking available at the entry gate for 4-5 vehicles before having to park roadside. Keep in mind the park is a popular recreational destination, so the spaces fill fast.
![Mt. Kearsarge Access Road Kearsarge Access Road](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1568/24652674166_6edc402216_o.jpg)
![Winslow Trail Sign Winslow Trail Sign](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1604/24050721064_1d57326f31_o.jpg)
![Winslow Trail Climb Winslow Trail Climb](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1483/24678889575_2803f691a6_o.jpg)
![Winslow Trail Flat Winslow Trail Flat](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1516/24678889555_5194e12ee8_o.jpg)
![Winslow Halfway Winslow Halfway](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1717/24311209609_030e981eef_o.jpg)
![Winslow Halfway Bummed Winslow Halfway Bummed](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1706/24311209589_7b700691a8_o.jpg)
![Winslow Trail Excited Winslow Trail Excited](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1692/24652674016_3e33b87dab_o.jpg)
![Winslow Trail Lookout Winslow Trail Lookout](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1572/24561104972_ddc12b1b4c_o.jpg)
![Winslow Trail Summit Approach Winslow Trail Summit Approach](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1532/24311209559_b7f3035e23_o.jpg)
![Mt. Kearsarge Summit View Mt. Kearsarge Summit View](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1686/24050720734_d987c08332_o.jpg)
![Mt. Kearsarge Summit Tower Mt. Kearsarge Summit Tower](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1693/24585362141_6a5b936462_o.jpg)
![Mt. Kearsarge Treeline Mt. Kearsarge Treeline](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1500/24585362071_c69443a016_o.jpg)
Directions
Take Interstate 89 to exit 10 and follow the signs to Winslow State Park. It’s roughly a ten-minute drive from the exit. The previous link provides information on the park’s summer fees and operating hours.