Bald Mountain

 This weekend is our now annual trip to the Northeast Kingdom. While the boys rode, I grabbed my friend Karen and headed over to Westmore to head up Bald Mountain. I had read about the gorgeous views from the fire tower at the top. There is large parking area for this hike and we headed out. We took the Long Pond Trail up and back. The trail is very well maintained and easy to follow. The first 1.5 miles is an old road and then the trail turns right into the woods becoming an actual trail for the last half mile or so. This section was rather technical and steep made a little more tricky today as it was rather wet and muddy, making those rock and root scrambles more slippery than usual. We made it unscathed.. into a total whiteout. This is such a trend when I'm hiking with Karen, it's crazy! The fire tower is tall and does not have the greatest protection in terms of railings. It was really, really windy up there today, and was really scary to climb up.. but we did anyway even with no views whatsoever. Just so we could say we did! 

Strava Activity

East Quarry, North Straightback & Anna

 We did it! Finally the boys completed their Belknap 12 Summit Patch! I'm so proud of them. We headed over to a new trail called the Reed Trail. There is a small parking lot by a gate on Reed Road. We then continued up the road for a couple tenths before turning onto Reed Trail. Up some rock steps at first, it was quite a steep little trail, through a fern glade. The trail was smooth though, easy footing. The views at the trailhead are gorgeous too! At the Quarry Trail, we turned left and went the short distance to East Quarry up some small scrambles. Continued on over to North Straightback and over to the Belknap Range Trail intersection, or the section known as Anna-Straightback Link. Going in this direction, the trail descends down to the summit of Anna Mountain. That was it, summit #12! We had a mini celebration then backtracked to Marsh Crossing Trail. This time, we found the trailhead! Third times a charm! The trail started out on the flatter side, passing by a marsh.. hence the name for a couple tenths! We saw some evidence of beaver activity as well. Then it's a short, steep climb up another couple of tenths to just next to the West Quarry summit. It was steeper than I had anticipated! We skipped West Quarry having just been there and made our way back to Reed Trail and down to the car. Now it's time to submit their patch application. 

Strava Activity

trailhead for Reed Trail

views from the trailhead

looking down the logging road towards the parking area

heading up Reed Trail

Reed Trail amongst the ferns

heading up to East Quarry

trail silliness on the way to N Straightback

They did it! Belknap 12

after 2 previous attempts, we finally found Marsh Crossing Trail

heading across Marsh Crossing Trail

final push up to West Quarry

Rand & West Quarry Mountains

 Last minute hiking plans had us back in the Belknaps with the intent of bagging the last 3 summits the boys needed for their Belknap 12 Summit Patch. We parked at the end of Old Clough Road, right by the gate and headed up the old logging road to Dave Roberts Quarry Trail. First up we took a right and went over to bag Rand, with some silliness on the summit taking their pictures. We then backtracked and headed over to West Quarry via the spur trail that avoids the cliffs/ledges. This was my first time with the boys going up a steeper rock scramble. I was so nervous, but they handled it like a charm. The true summit is a short distance up from the signpost. More silliness ensued getting those pictures. Just one of those afternoons. Initially I had intended on taking the Marsh Crossing Trail over to bag Anna as well, but just like the last time I tried to find it (from the other end) I completely missed the sign. I hadn't realized it was right at the summit for West Quarry, I had thought it was a little ways down, so wasn't looking for the turn in the right place. Will get that trail eventually! We headed back to the car via the cliffs/ledges portion of the trail, which tested my nerves again watching them cross over a short section with a sheer drop off a slab. This time they were both a little nervous too, but just like the scramble, they handled it like pros. We then retraced our steps back to the car on Old Clough Road. We will be back for Anna!

Strava Activity

summit of Rand

true summit of West Quarry

heading back down to the sign

crossing the cliffs/ledges

views from the ledges

back down Old Clough Road

Hyland Hill Fire Tower

Today we ventured out to Westmoreland, NH and Hyland Hill Fire Tower. We parked roadside on Hurricane Hill Road and headed down Hyland Hill road which is a dirt road. At just under half a mile, the road takes a sharp left and climbs moderately up the hill. In another couple of tenths, turn left onto Hyland Tower Road and follow that the remainder of the way passing through a gate. The old fire tower is behind some cell phone towers now. The tower seemed rather unstable, so we hesitantly climbed up.. didn't quite make the top as it just felt sketchy and there are no views anyway when the trees are grown in.  

Strava Activity

Pitcher Mountain

Our second hike of the day brought us to Stoddard and Pitcher Mountain. A real gem. The hike is barely half a mile up to some really wonderful views around the area. It's been quite hot of late, so the breeze up top brought some welcome relief. We opted to go out and back on the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, though there is an even shorter route straight up. The MSG weaves around the outside with a viewpoint at an open spot across a big field which is just gorgeous. The trail starts as an old road, then right before the old fire wardens cabin it becomes more of a trail, with a very short, steeper section over rock before popping out to the fire tower. Lovely early evening adventure. 

Strava Activity

heading up the MSG from the parking area