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

Whiteface Mountain

 I'm starting to really enjoy our evening hikes! Today we tackled Peak #9 on the boys Belknap 12 list and headed up Whiteface Mountain. Gorgeous evening... except for the bagillion bugs that accompanied us along the way. 

Strava Activity

Straightback Mountain

 Another dusk hike with my boys. Today we tackled Straightback Mountain (South Summit) via the Blueberry Pasture Trail. We parked at the end of Alton Mountain Road, and this time (as opposed to when I was here for this trail last) I knew where to go and we headed straight on up. Ironically, there is now a sign marking the trailhead for Blueberry Pasture Trail so no chance of getting turned around any longer. Straightforward hike up to the summit. We didn't linger for very long today as the bugs were ferocious making it rather unpleasant. The views as always were amazing and the boys achieved #8 on their Belknap 12 list. 

Strava Activity

luckily Cameron had his Minecraft sword.. fighting off the bugs

Piper Mountain

 After 6 years, I have returned to work part-time. This has obviously drastically altered my flexibility and availability to hike during the week as I used to. In fact, I haven't been on the trails much at all in 9 months as I adjusted to this new routine. My wanderlust has returned and with a little bribing, I have convinced my children to let me take them wandering once a week after school. Today, in 90 degrees, we headed out for Piper Mountain in the Belknaps to continue working on their progress of completing the 12 summits. Hiking in the afternoon is new to me, I'm just thankful that long Summer days can accommodate this requirement. We hit the trail around 530pm in the early evening glow, and unfortunately it seemed that every bug in Gilford decided to join us. My fitness level needs a lot of work, so it was slow going, but we made it to the North Peak via Piper Mountain Trail and enjoyed a little time at the throne before returning the way we came up. 

Strava Activity