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