Chandler Reservation

 New area for me today. I had hoped for some sweeping views as the colors are in rare form this year.. no views, but I saw no one until the very end of the day in the parking area, so that's a win for me. Chandler Reservation is quietly tucked into a corner of Warner. The crowds are at Kearsarge, which makes sense. I thoroughly enjoyed my hike here though. I started at the Woods Walk kiosk and went up the "left side" of the loop. Took Chandler Trail up to Cross Minks Trail. Moderate little ascent at the end of that. From here, I turned right and descended, rather steeply, to Bean Road. Short road walk and up White Trail. This started as an old woods road and was rather overgrown, but still had a visible herd path in the middle. It then became a more traditional trail and ascended again rather steeply back up to Cross Minks Trail. As much as I would have liked to complete the whole trail network here, I knew there was quite a bit of elevation gain on the remainder of Cross Minks Trail to Howe Lane, so I opted to save that for another day. Instead I turned left and headed up another short, steep climb to the summit of what the sign indicated was Chandler Mink, but Peakbagger has it labeled Mink Hills. Either way, super pretty summit, even if it was wooded. An American flag flies proudly just next to a fire pit area. There is a fallen flag tower with stone base just further along. I continued back to Chandler Trail, descended and then completed the Woods Walk back to the car. There was another car parked when I returned, but I never saw the occupants. The only person I saw all day was a local lady walking along the street. I look forward to returning and completing Cross Minks Trail. 

Strava Activity

 

where I parked on Mink Hill Road

Woods Walk from parking where I finished

where I started on Woods Walk

Chandler Trail from Woods Walk

looking up the way I came down on Cross Minks Trail

looking up where I came down on Cross Minks Trail

Cross Minks Trail off Bean Road

pretty views along Bean Rd

walking along Bean Rd

White Trail off Bean Rd

Cross Minks Trail at the top of White Trail

Woods Walk

Plymouth Mountain

 It was an absolutely perfect day today. Could not have asked for anything better. I decided to revisit Plymouth Mountain as there is a new view spur that has been added. I opted for the Plymouth Mountain Trail as it is slightly shorter and quite a bit less elevation gain than the more popular Sutherland Trail. I love this trail. I parked in the pullout on Pike Hill Rd in Hebron and headed up. I saw no one on my ascent or descent and only 4 people while on the summit. The new to me spur is right off the summit, behind the summit sign, called Newfound Spur. The other 2 spurs are off the Sutherland Trail below the summit. The previous 2 times I had been up my views were somewhat obscured with weather and wildfire smoke if I remember correctly. Today was flawless. I had the ledges to myself for about 15 mins before anyone else came along and I just stood and enjoyed the view. The short spur trail was probably the most technical part of the hike as it descends a little and had a couple sit and slide scrambles, but absolutely nothing crazy. The ledge view intimidated me slightly when I popped out on it as it's on a bit of an incline, but I carefully made my way along with no trouble. It really was a 12/10 day. 

Strava Activity

where the trail leaves off Pike Hill Road

right turn onto the trail from the snowmobile corridor

the marker was just past the summit sign on the spur trail

Crotched Mountain

 A new spur has been formally added to the network of trails on Crotched Mountain, and I decided today I would explore. Laura and I set out under the premise of potential rain showers. We lucked out, though we could see them around us as we got higher up the mountain. Thankfully they held off until we were done. Laura had never been to Crotched Mountain before, so I opted for the slightly longer, but less elevation of Shannon's Trail up. This also took us past the gorgeous view point at the top of the All Persons Trail which is an added bonus. I had expected it to be busier, but we arrived to only 1 car and that hiker finished as were getting started. Did end up seeing a few others along our way, but way less busy than I had anticipated. Shannon's Trail really is a relatively gentle ascent. We took a shortcut path over to Bennington Trail a little ways before the actual Bennington Trail intersection. This was a little overgrown, but still easy to follow. Before we knew it, we were at the spur marked with yellow blazes. The spur is just under half a mile and leads over to the top of the ski lifts with lovely views to the surrounding areas. We didn't linger too long seeing the rain off in the distance and not sure which way it was headed. Back on Bennington Trail, we did head up to the summit where the fire tower pylons still remain and down to the viewpoint where the picnic table no longer remains. Then back down Shannons Trail. We jumped on the All Persons trail for a bit, but then back onto the main trail and returned to the car. A really great day in the woods. 

Strava Activity

viewpoint at the top of the All Persons trail

heading out on the ski lift spur

what is left of the old picnic table

West End Farm Trail

 I'd been putting off West End Farm Trail because when I had looked previously, the map to me seemed somewhat confusing. I decided to tackle a section of it this weekend, and when I looked at the map this time it was perfectly straightforward.. so I'm not sure what I was thinking last time. There is a relocated section not available on any maps I've seen yet, but I wasn't heading for that part today so I'll worry about that later. I decided to start from the NH Audobon Society trails. I followed West End Farm Trail to Dimond Farm, including the 2 very short side paths to the pond on the way out, and returned via Weston Loop. For the most part it was very easy to follow, though there do seem to be a few possibly mountain biking trails that branched off where I had to refer to my digital map to make sure I was on the right path. This section of trail ended up being really nice, I was pleasantly surprised. A variety of terrain from true woods, a small section of paved bike path, short road walk, wide open woods road, open fields.. kept it interesting where there wasn't really anything of note to see. I took a quick side trip to the true summit of West End Hill as well, There was an unmarked trail that led almost to the summit and easy short walk off trail. 

Strava Activity

side path to the pond #1

side path to the pond #2

I stayed on West End Farm out (left) and returned via Weston Loop (right)

turnaround point

Weston Loop back

I took Old Orchard Trail back to the car, this was fun!

oh whoops.. this was after and facing the opposite direction!