Stratham Hill Park

 Another dreary, rainy day. Another location I had previously been to 6 years ago. This time since I'm redlining, I was attacking a different section of the park than I had previously visited. Stratham Hill Park is primarily designed as a mountain bike park, though plenty of hikers still frequent the trails. There are a myriad of trails, however not all of them are on the official park map. All the trails were in great shape, I just found it confusing and while I was never lost, I absolutely could not have made it without aid of an online tracker map app. Several times I was heading in the wrong direction before consulting the tracker and correcting myself. The area is popular for dog walkers, I saw lots and lots of doggos today. Only a couple of bikers, probably because the weather wasn't ideal. Besides the fire tower, which I didn't visit today as I had been there previously, there really isn't anything scenic, just another great trail network to get out and explore. You can make your hike as short or as long as you like here with so many options!

Strava Activity

Pump Track with a little rider just in view

This tree looked like a piece of art on display

Phoebes Nable Mountain & Moose Mountain Trail

 It's Memorial Day weekend and the weather has gone from hot and sunny to cold and rainy. Initially I was super bummed. I then realized the soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice and the reason we even have a long weekend, didn't get to choose the weather they were out in, so I could suck it up and be outside too. I chose the Moose Mountains Reservation in Middleton/Brookfield. It's the last place I have to hike on the Lakes Region tab of my redlining spreadsheet. I had been here once before, about 7 years ago and had been putting it off due to my experience at the time being that it was a little confusing to navigate, and had heard it was still much the same. I armed myself with a couple different maps and just went for it. I actually found the area to be much improved and had no issues with navigation at all (with the aid of my maps). It's still relatively rustic, but sometimes that can make an area special. It's not overrun with a lot of people. I headed up the Phoebes Nable Mountain Trail, which is only about 0.6 miles to the summit. Although we'd had some decent rains, the trail wasn't too wet or slippery and the cooler temps kept the bugs at bay! It's a moderate climb up to the summit, nothing too strenuous. There is an open area that looks out over the surrounding area and into Maine. Not a spectacular view by any stretch, but a pretty one. I stopped briefly and took a picture before heading down the other side on Phoebes Nable Loop Trail. This is where the biggest improvement over my last visit was noticeable. Last time I sort of meandered down a maybe trail, this time there was a clearly marked and maintained trail that weaved through pretty woods down to Burrows Farm Trail at the bottom. Burrows Farm Trail is a snowmobile corridor (I believe) so wide and easygoing. You pass through an open field with views to the surrounding Moose Mountains. Also passing the cemetery and former farm site of the Burrows family for which the area is named. Moose Mountain Trail leaves off Burrows Farm Trail and heads uphill. According to the maps, it sort of just stops halfway up the mountain. I had read it was somewhat overgrown and difficult to navigate, but I didn't find that at all. I don't recall seeing any blazes, but the foot path is very obvious, if not a bit rough in places due to erosion. I had anticipated just following until the trail ended and was following my progress on an online tracker. I reached the "end of the trail" according to the maps, but the trail very clearly continued and was even marked with some small cairns here and there.. so I decided to follow and investigate, with the notion if I was going too far in the wrong direction I'd just turn around and retrace my steps. The trail kept going and was in great shape. I was surprised to hear voices and encountered a family who had done the same as I and had turned around a little further ahead feeling like the trail had petered out. They had said there were no views (or very limited with trees having grown up) which I had anticipated, but there was a trash can (that was full) which was surprising. I decided to keep going and check it out and realized we were on a snowmobile and dirt bike trail network (hence the trash can). I reached the trash can where there was a peekaboo view of Mt Chocorua and decided to keep going a little further. The trail definitely got rougher but was very obvious. To my surprise, maybe a couple tenths past the trash can the views opened right up and were some of the best I've seen in a while! I couldn't believe it! The trail steeply descended and I contemplated following it (and actually did start to before I realized it was going in the wrong direction to where my car was parked) so I turned around and headed back the way I had come. I ended up passing another large family group on my way down. There was a spur path with a faded old sign saying Waterfall that I decided to check out. The waterfall was dry, but I imagine would be pretty with good water flow! Back at Burrows Farm Trail, it's an old road walk back to the car. Knowing the trail is gated, I was surprised to have a truck coming up towards me not far from the parking area with some kids in the bed of the truck. I assume they either own the land or are connected to the Forest Society. Back at the car and I was pleasantly satisfied with how the day evolved!

Strava Activity

view from Phoebes Nable summit

Phoebes Nable Loop Trail from the summit

the bottom of Phoebes Nable Loop Trail

field on Burrows Farm Trail

gate on Burrows Farm Trail

I would take the spur on my descent

the "waterfall" on the spur path of Moose Mountain Trail

Whiteface Mountain

 There are several Whiteface Mountains in NH, today Cameron and I hiked the one in Wolfeboro. There was potentially inclement weather in the forecast, and another hot and humid day. After yesterday, I wasn't going to do anything too hard or too long. The weather really takes a lot out of you sometimes. Whiteface Mountain in Wolfeboro is a relatively unknown mountain, I only knew about it because it's in the AMC South Trail Guide, but I have rarely seen anyone talk about it on any of the hiking groups I belong to. Anyway, it's only 1 mile each way and seemed like a perfect length to get something in without it being too crazy. The small parking area is located on Browns Ridge Road off Rt 16. It is not marked, so I had downloaded a previous hiker's file so I could see where they started, this was integral, I would have missed it otherwise. There is a break in the rock wall with parking for 3-4 cars. Also look for a rock with a memorial plaque to a young boy, which marks the start of the trail. I had read it was very buggy in the area, so we prepared with spray and a bug net and headed out. The trail takes a right turn out of the parking lot and into the woods where the blazing begins. Large white diamonds on the trees are marked for the entire trail. Keep an eye on these as there are a few side trails/old logging roads in a couple spots that could be tricky if not for the blazes. The trail starts easily then begins the climb. Footing is good the entire way and the trail was well maintained, which made the hike that much more enjoyable in spite of the relentless black flies and really quite decent incline. The trail climbs around the side of the mountain avoiding the steepest part and then up and over the summit to some ledges with great views into Maine and over towards the Chocorua area. It was hazy today, but we could still see the faint outline of the bigger peaks around us. A real hidden gem in this area. 

Strava Activity

Memorial plaque at the start of the trail

black flies and all enjoy the summit

North & South Uncanoonuc

 Today was hot, humid and hazy.. I knew I couldn't do anything too strenuous in this weather, but I still wanted to get out and accomplish something. I decided to finish up redlining the Uncanoonucs in Goffstown. I worked out a route that would encompass the 2 trails that I hadn't been on at all, as well as finish up the remaining 4 others that I had partially completed previously. This route included a trail not on the official map, but I had seen it on AllTrails. I don't always trust the AllTrails app that much, but I went with a wing and a prayer that this would work out. It did! I parked at the kiosk on Mountain Base Road. Last time I had tried to come here, it was packed as it does share parking with a town beach. Thankfully I was early enough today, that while almost full already, I was able to snag a spot. I assumed (correctly) that there would be a lot of bugs due to the humidity, so I doused myself in bug spray and headed out on the Bickford Trail. I needed 0.2miles of this trail to the intersection with Summit Trail. This section coincided with a road to some cabins along the lake, so was an easy walk. I took Summit Trail, which climbs steadily to the intersection with Link Trail. Last time I was here, was in February with Laura, the morning after some snow. It looked remarkably different today! There also appeared to be some new logging, that I don't remember seeing previously. While messy on the ground, it is opening up some peekaboo views to the the surrounding area. I headed down Link Trail towards Mountain Road, where I encountered a lot more logging on both sides of the trail. There were some areas of mud here, but it was avoidable. I reached Mountain Road and crossed over to Class 6 Road Trail, which is a snowmobile trail and followed that to the end. I then backtracked to Blue Trail, which was a relatively moderate climb up to the North Uncanoonuc summit. There was a view spur showing on my map, so I found that and took it, which led to a very restricted view over to Pack Monadnock, hardly visible today in the haze. The bugs were picking up, so I didn't stop and rest for too long at any point during this hike. The goal was to keep moving and attempt to keep the bugs at bay. At the summit, there is a good view back over to the tower farm that is South Uncanoonuc. I headed down White Dot Trail. I had read this was rather steep, so I strategically planned this for my descent, not really wanting any of that in the heat of today. Super glad I made that choice, it really was a steep little trail, thankfully only 0.7 miles long. It had good footing, I just took my time so as not to slip on any pine needles or rock. I reached back down to Mountain Road and this was where I was hoping to pick up the unnamed trail from the AllTrails app. I found it and it turned out to be not only maintained but faintly blazed with orange blazes on the trees. I did reach one intersection where I had to consult my map and initially started down the wrong way, but realized and turned around. Back at Mountain Road for the 3rd time, I crossed back over and took the 0.2 mile link from a parking area/kiosk back to Link Trail. Climbed back up through the logged area to Summit Trail. this time took a right and climbed some more to Walker Trail. This was a repeat of what Laura and I had done in snowshoes in February as well. Walker Trail starts off quite steeply, but then hits a small viewpoint (no views today) and then descends across the slope passing another viewpoint over the city of Manchester before reaching Incline Trail. Again, another strategically planned descent, this one was a little tougher due to lots of loose gravel and rocks, but I took my time and made it safely back to the car. Incline Trail was a tram line in a previous life to a hotel that stood atop South Uncanoonuc and is quite the doozy of an incline... hence the name! ;) I wasn't upset for this hike to be over as I was drenched and gassed from the heat. It was a good feeling though being able to check off the remainder of trails in this area. 

Strava Activity

Kiosk on Mountain Base Road

Leaving the parking area

Lots of logging along Link Trail

start of Link Trail on Mountain Road

across the street, start of Class 6 Road Trail

passing for now, but I'll be back

the other end of Class 6 Road Trail

so called Scenic View

from North Uncanoonuc summit looking at South

doesn't look nearly as steep as it is

start of White Dot Trail on Mountain Road

parking and kiosk on Mountain Road

no views today

hazy view of Manchester

Incline Trail looking rather flat, when it's far from it

bottom of Incline Trail at the parking area