Black Mountain

It was too perfect a weekend not to be outdoors. I convinced my now teenage boys to accompany me on a hike. I chose Black Mountain in Benton, NH as it checked off a couple of the lists we are ever so slowly working through. There are 2 trails to take up Black Mountain and I chose the "less scenic", slightly longer, but less elevation Black Mountain Trail. We had no issue finding the trail head on Howe Hill Road in Benton. The hike starts out on some former logging roads/now ATV trails through an open field with some pretty wildflowers and gently ascends before veering left into the forest and starting the climb. I knew the route was approximately 2.3 miles, however as it turns out my Suunto didn't start capturing data until about halfway up the trail, so I was half a mile behind mentally the entire ascent. Which was a good thing, though I was prepared and able to continue, we reached the top and I was pleasantly surprised. We passed a group of hikers coming back down, but otherwise it was just us until we reached the top. There was a large group of girls who were enjoying a lunch break, but there is enough space and trees to make your experience relatively private even with others around. The boys and I sat and enjoyed lunch, the views were flawless, the weather was perfect and most importantly, there were no bugs! Feeling rejuvenated and still on a bit of a high from reaching the summit half a mile before I thought we would (it's the little things) we headed back down. My older son actually ran down and texted me in about 15 minutes that he was back at the car! Trail was in ideal condition for that! Overall a great little gem, I highly recommend.

Strava Activity

Haystack Mountain

The Northeast Kingdom is definitely one of my favorite places on Earth. It doesn't matter what is going on in the world, when I am in this area, I am at peace. We headed up for our annual Summer weekend of mountain biking/hiking, this time bringing some friends which made the time even more special. While everyone else hit the Kingdom Trails, I ventured back over to Westmore and this time tackled Haystack Mountain. A little but powerful hike with spectacular views over Long Pond and the rest of the "Kingdom". I haven't hiked in a very long time, so I knew I couldn't bite off more than I could chew. Haystack proved to be perfect. I opted to make a loop heading up the North Trail, down the South Trail and joining the two with a road hike along Long Pond Road (which is gravel). The North Trail starts out up and does nothing but go up for approximately 0.9 miles. The only reason I was able to continue this slog was knowing it was only 0.9 miles! No real views along the way, just the serenity of the woods surrounding you. The trail was in tip top condition. A slightly cooler day than we have been experiencing this Summer topped off with a breeze every now and then made conditions perfect. Just before the actual summit is a sign in book and the West Overlook. Approaching this vantage point you encounter a sign to "Leash Dogs and Hold Children".. this caused me to pause a moment and consider if it was worth it. I have an extreme fear of heights and wasn't exactly sure what was coming. What was coming was a small overlook, thankfully with a tree in the middle of it, that I was able to very slowly make my way towards and hang onto for dear life! The views however were definitely worth it. This is the money shot for this mountain. I took my pictures and headed back up to the sign in book, where I encountered a group making their way up from the South Trail. We exchanged pleasantries and I headed towards my descent. Just beyond the West Overlook is the actual summit of Haystack Mountain with a large cairn and summit sign. Next you encounter the East Overlook which has a framed view over to Bald Mountain. On a clear day as I had you can see the fire tower and I reflected on my 2 hikes up that scary metal structure! Finally, the South Outlook has some more gorgeous views, this time towards Burke Mountain. I could see rain over that way and wondered if my tribe were getting wet as they rode. Thankfully I avoided any rain and just enjoyed the perfect hiking conditions I encountered. The South Trail has one very short, steep section and then it basically flattens out and is a tranquil wander through the woods, eventually meeting up with an old logging road or ATV trail that leads you back to Long Pond Road and the South Trail trailhead. The group from the top passed me on my way back down and I was humbled (as I most often am on a hike) by briefly speaking with one of the women who told me this was her first hike post beating cancer!  Who was I to complain that my knees hurt a little and it's tough to get old? This opened my thoughts as I finished my loop with the 1.2 mile "road" hike between the South and North trailheads and I breathed the fresh air and contemplated my tiny place on this huge planet. I stopped at the boat launch for Long Pond on my way home and looked back on the small peak I had just conquered!

Strava Activity

Mt Pisgah

My husband wanted 1 more weekend mountain biking at the Kingdom Trails before they close for the season. I will never turn down a road trip, and Vermont's Northeast Kingdom has begun to feel like a second home to me. I adore it up there. While the boys played on their bikes, I set out for a crisp Fall hike. The weather forecast had gone from rainy and miserable to partly cloudy. It ended up being in the 50s and perfect for a hike. I chose Mt Pisgah having seen several other of my friends hike it and knowing it was relatively close. I researched the different trails and opted for the East Trail as the description read 900ft of elevation gain vs 1400 +/- and 1500 +/- on the more popular South and North Trails. What I have to continually remind myself (and I actually didn't realize until I uploaded my Suunto activity) that a trail description is solely for that particular trail.. when it merges with another trail, that portion takes on a whole different description. In retrospect, I'm glad I didn't know this ahead of time, otherwise I wouldn't have done it. I have barely hiked over the past 2 years and my fitness has suffered for it. I didn't want to get in over my head. I located the trailhead and headed off on the trail. The first 1.6 miles is on old logging roads with very little ascent. The trails were leaf covered and peaceful. At 1.6 miles you enter Willoughby State Forest and the trail ascends a little more to merge with the North Trail. What I hadn't realized, I had now done my 900ft of ascent.. the North Trail takes a steep turn at this point and for approximately 0.5 miles it is up, up, up.. I puffed and panted and very slowly made my way up. What I was thinking was "wow, 900ft of ascent really feels more than that"... to which I can laugh now, because my total gain for the day was 1759ft! I finally reached the Overlooks and tentatively made my way down the side path to the North Overlook. I had read and seen pictures of how precarious these were, so I wasn't sure I would actually make it all the way to the overlooks (I have an insane fear of heights) and was hoping I could still peep a view from a safe vantage point. The North overlook while very scary (to me) did have enough space that I could stand as far back as possible and still get some pictures. It was quite windy at this point, which added to my fears. A couple of Canadian girls came onto the overlook as well, which just added to my anxiety.. they were much closer to the edge than I and I always fear what may happen.. anyway, we all safely made it back to the main trail and I continued on up the 0.3 miles to the viewless summit. The summit had a firepit and small sign tacked to a tree covered in graffiti. I sat and ate a granola bar and silently cheered myself on for actually making it to the top. I briefly stopped at one of the other overlooks, which again made me super anxious as there was a family with small children climbing on the rocks. Eek! The only negative on the way down was all the leaves hiding mud which made some of the descents a little slippery.. but overall, I think the euphoria of having actually made it up had me flying back down! And that is why I love hiking.

Strava Activity

Craney Hill & Pitcher Mountain

It was a gorgeous afternoon and I was feeling the need to take in some views. I had read about Craney Hill fire tower in Henniker. It's accessible year round, but supposedly only open 2 weekends a year. I couldn't find anything relevant for 2018 dates, but based on past years the 2nd and 3rd weekends in October seemed to be the go. So I took the chance and headed over to Henniker. Craney Hill Road sure is one steep road, but I found the gated entrance easily enough. I didn't notice the sign that some had suggested would be out if the tower was in fact open, but there were several other cars so I kept my hopes up.  A brief walk up an access road, with about 200ft of elevation gain brings you to a clearing with the tower. As I began, a couple on a tandem bike with a pup started riding up. I don't know how they did it, some of the trail was filled with pretty large rocks and it was quite wet from rain the week prior. But they did! I was impressed. I had expected to find people at the tower since there were at least 3 cars at the gate, but no one was around and the tower was all locked up. I was disappointed. There are no views from the base of the tower, the trees are too tall. I tried wandering around a little to see if there were any clearings. The trail did continue on past the tower, which I'm guessing is where the occupants of the vehicles as well as the cyclists had gone on to, but without knowing the area or where that trail went I opted not to go too far. As I headed back down the trail to my car, a couple with a baby carrier came up and mentioned they had hoped the tower would be open too. At least I can check Craney Hill off my fire tower list and maybe I'll try again next year to get up the tower!

Strava Activity

Not being satisfied with the views I got from Craney Hill, I ventured back to Pitcher Mountain having been there twice before and knowing I could get big bang for my buck with relatively little effort. This time I decided to make a loop of it and headed up the Blue Trail, which I hadn't done before. A little shorter at only roughly 0.3 miles and a little steeper, this made for a nice loop.. even if I did trip on a rock and smash my shin creating a nice lump and hematoma! The views from the top were amazing, especially on such a beautiful day. I was greeted by a little field mouse on the tower today, he was so cute! I then returned via the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway savoring the views across the open field about halfway down. Perfect Fall day!

Strava Activity

views heading down the MSG