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.

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!

Saturday, August 8, 2026

Rowe's Revenge

It's been 10 or so years since I've hiked in the Belknaps. There have been so many other places to explores, once I completed my patches for that area, I moved on.. however a few new trails have formally been added, so I figured today was a good day to go back and explore. I chose the trails on Mt Rowe. I parked at the pullout at the gate on Area Road. It was hot today and humid, so I really just took my time. My route was only about 3 miles, but 700ft of gain. To get to the trails, go through the gate and down the road a few hundred feet. There a sign here for the trails, turn right and up into a lot that has some materials dumped and a small sign points you up Rowe's Revenge. This is a ski trail, so nothing technical about it. Just a lot of up. In some areas the grass was a bit longer, but for the most part it was either gravelly or just grass. At one point it skirted close to some mountainside homes, otherwise felt far away from the bustle of this region. Just before the end of the trail there is an umarked spur out to the site of an old warming hut with some views over the lake. The trees are starting to grow up and it was very hazy today in the heat, but I could still see a bit and enjoyed a nice breather. I continued to the end of the trail, which is just below the actual summit of Mt Rowe. I opted not to revisit as I've been there several times already and it's essentially just a communications tower. I decided to take what the Guide has called BTTR - Better Than the Road, but the signage onsite called it Cutoff Trail and I've also seen it on some maps referred to as Bypass Trail. Either way, it was a nice quick descent marked with white and green blazes that was definitely a nicer alternative than the gravel road. It popped out at the top of the Mountain Coaster. I followed a short extension before ending on the road just above the main resort area and just had to walk back through the campground to complete my loop.

Strava Activity

parked here

start of Rowe's Revenge

looks flat.. it wasn't

former warming hut site

heading down the BTTR Trail

Mountain Coaster

popped out looking over the resort

an old ski jump seen while walking through the campground

I didn't catch this sign on the way up, but turn for Rowe's Revenge off the road

looking back up at Mt Rowe

Saturday, August 1, 2026

Big Island Trail - Pawtuckaway State Park

Afternoon commitments had me in need of something quick and local. I chose Big Island Trail in Pawtuckaway, as it was only just under 2 miles total. There really is nothing of note along this trail, but it was nice to be back out after a couple weeks off. Parking is at the beach parking area and I got there early enough there was plenty of space still, though it was already quickly filling. The trailhead is a couple tenths up the road at a pull off for a dumping station for the nearby campground. Well marked and well maintained. Not really an island, but this area is called Big Island. Unfortunately it was extremely buggy, so I didn't really even stop to take anything in. It was a get in, get out, get on with your life situation. But it's done and I can check it off the list!

Strava Activity

Saturday, July 18, 2026

Porcupine Falls

While I was in the southwestern part of the state, I decided to grab another shorter hike since I had the time. 25 minutes from Mt Caesar was Porcupine Falls. I decided to do both trails outlined in the AMC South Guide, so I parked at the Rt 10 Connector trailhead. The trail heads up a steep climb with a big drop off down to the river before taking a sharp right turn and traversing up and down along the base of an unnamed hill/mountain before joining Porcupine Falls Trail at the trailhead on White Brook Road. From here it is an easy quarter mile or so to the falls. Today unfortunately everything was pretty much dried up. I saw just a trickle. Still a pretty area to explore around. There are a couple new trails being developed above the falls, but as it was starting to sprinkle and those trails aren't officially part of the AMC Guide yet, I decided to give those a miss and can easily come back if they are ever formally added. I continued on Porcupine Falls Trail which joins a discontinued part of White Brook Road at a rather overgrown area. Luckily coming out from the falls it was easy enough to discern, there were no markings if you were entering from the old road. Back at the parking area for Porcupine Falls Trail I retraced my steps on the Connector Trail and got back to the car just as the heavens up and it started pouring, justifying my decision to not explore the new trails!

Strava Activity