New area for me today. I had hoped for some sweeping views as the colors are in rare form this year.. no views, but I saw no one until the very end of the day in the parking area, so that's a win for me. Chandler Reservation is quietly tucked into a corner of Warner. The crowds are at Kearsarge, which makes sense. I thoroughly enjoyed my hike here though. I started at the Woods Walk kiosk and went up the "left side" of the loop. Took Chandler Trail up to Cross Minks Trail. Moderate little ascent at the end of that. From here, I turned right and descended, rather steeply, to Bean Road. Short road walk and up White Trail. This started as an old woods road and was rather overgrown, but still had a visible herd path in the middle. It then became a more traditional trail and ascended again rather steeply back up to Cross Minks Trail. As much as I would have liked to complete the whole trail network here, I knew there was quite a bit of elevation gain on the remainder of Cross Minks Trail to Howe Lane, so I opted to save that for another day. Instead I turned left and headed up another short, steep climb to the summit of what the sign indicated was Chandler Mink, but Peakbagger has it labeled Mink Hills. Either way, super pretty summit, even if it was wooded. An American flag flies proudly just next to a fire pit area. There is a fallen flag tower with stone base just further along. I continued back to Chandler Trail, descended and then completed the Woods Walk back to the car. There was another car parked when I returned, but I never saw the occupants. The only person I saw all day was a local lady walking along the street. I look forward to returning and completing Cross Minks Trail.
Strava Activity
 |
| where I parked on Mink Hill Road |
 |
| Woods Walk from parking where I finished |
 |
| where I started on Woods Walk |
 |
| Chandler Trail from Woods Walk |
 |
| looking up the way I came down on Cross Minks Trail |
 |
| looking up where I came down on Cross Minks Trail |
 |
| Cross Minks Trail off Bean Road |
 |
| pretty views along Bean Rd |
 |
| walking along Bean Rd |
 |
| White Trail off Bean Rd |
 |
| Cross Minks Trail at the top of White Trail |
 |
| Woods Walk |
