Laura and I headed back over to Northwood Meadows to finish the 2 trails I needed on Saddleback Mountain that we had explored back in Winter. It was a gorgeous day, perfect temps and no wind. A couple other cars arrived not long after us at the Old Mountain Rd trailhead, but we never saw them again once they headed out.. we only saw one group with a couple dogs, and a lovely lady we ended up chatting to for quite a while. Last time we headed up Parsonage Trail, so today we opted for Saddleback Mountain Trail. This one is more of an old woods road before becoming a true footpath nearer the viewpoint. We had a lot of catching up to do, and reached the viewpoint before I even realized it. From here we took Link Trail the short distance up to Ravine Loop. Ravine Loop descends down into what they call a gorge... a super baby gorge really, with a mostly dry cascade today. Then it climbs back up to meet up with Link Trail again at a four way intersection with Lalish Trail. Ravine Loop was so pretty, and so so quiet. Even knowing we weren't that far from roads and houses, there was not a sound. Between the gorgeous light of the day and the leaves softly falling from the trees, we just kept stopping and looking around. The other piece I needed was the section of Link Trail up to the Saddleback summit. The trail itself seemed to stop at a viewpoint just below the true summit, but there was an obvious herd path that continued on, so we followed reaching a stone structure. So different than my last time on this summit, 10 + years ago when I did my first and only true bushwhack. It was gorgeous. I loved it, and honestly could have just sat up there for ages. Alas, we needed to continue on. Back at the four way intersection, we took Lalish Trail back to Old Mountain Road and the car. Superb day in the woods.

trailhead on Old Mountain Road

heading up Saddleback Mountain Trail

viewpoint at the intersection with Link Trail

Ravine Loop

in the ravine

viewpoint on Link Trail just below the summit

Saddleback summit

cool tree along Lalish Trail

not even a dribble today

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Gunstock Mountain

Today was picture perfect. I'm finally somewhat recovering from the wretched cold I had, but said to heck with it. The day is too perfect. I headed over to Gunstock Mountain to explore the 2 new trails added since I completed redlining over there a decade ago! Ledges Iron Mine Trail and Marge's Trail are on the backside of Gunstock. I smirked as I passed by the already overflowing trailhead to Mt Major. Love that mountain, but not today thanks. There is a small parking lot off Belknap Mountain Road for Ledges Iron Mine Trail, and I was the only car there. I ended up only seeing people on the Gunstock summit (obviously since the chairlift is in operation), a few people on Gunstock Mountain Trail and 4 people on Ridge Trail. A car arrived as I was leaving.. so basically, perfect. Ledges Iron Mine Trail starts up from the get go and continues the entire way. I've had a couple of 1000ft or near gains in elevation over the past year, but it's been a solid year since I went well over 1000ft.. so that, combined with coming off a cold, and it was slow going. But honestly, I didn't mind at all, because it was just so beautiful out, when I needed to stop and rest I just looked around and enjoyed the beautiful colors around me. The first half mile is up, but not too bad.. and right at half a mile or so is one of the most beautiful ledges I can remember visiting. I've seen it referred to as Sunset Ledge. I could have sat there forever. From here Marge's Trail and Iron Ledges Mine Trail combine for a short distance before breaking off. I took Ledges Iron Mine Trail up, which is a bit shorter and steeper. Definitely a descent little climb up, passing 2 former sites of iron mining from way back in the day. Once up at Ridge Trail, I decided to continue the quarter mile or so to the Gunstock summit. It was busy, so I didn't linger. Back on Ridge, I continued back and passed Ledges Iron Mine Trail, descending down to Marge's Trail. Opposite Marge's Trail is a short spur up to a ski trail with gorgeous views over the lake. What goes up, must come down, and by then my legs were toast. It was slow going as well as it was really leafy, and I'm always afraid of slipping. Overall a 12/10 day.

Strava Activity

trailhead off Belknap Mountain Rd

Ledges Iron Mine Trail at Ridge Trail

heading up Ridge Trail to Gunstock summit

hiking trail off the Summit on the right in the woods

view spur on Ridge Trail opposite Marge's Trail

Sunset Ledge

Sunday, October 11, 2026

Ponemah Bog

Walk number 2 of the day was a short drive over to Amherst. By now it was raining lightly, but that added to the ambiance somewhat. Ponemah Bog and Wildlife Sanctuary includes a 0.8 mile trail that is mostly wooden planks through the bog with a couple of spurs to viewing points over the pond. A short woods walk to reach this point brings you to a viewing platform towards the pond, then a loop that they direct you in a clockwise direction. The colors were quite pretty and some ducks were enjoying the rain and mud in the water. I didn't linger too long due to the rain and already being down with a cold myself, but I enjoyed this short walk immensely.

Strava Activity