Mine Hill & Jeremy Hill

The weekly airing of the teenagers resulted in two fairly short but pleasant walks to reach two more sites on the NH Fire Tower list. First we hit up Mine Hill in Auburn, NH. There is a small area to park alongside Lake Massabesic on Rt 121 (Chester Road) in Auburn, directly across from Fire Road 42, which is the access road taken for this fire tower. I had printed out another description, which I'm glad I did, and even still we managed to get off course briefly. Very quickly after beginning this walk you will encounter an open area. Stay to the right and follow the old access road. You will come to what I'll call a Y intersection that at the time we walked had a small log in the middle and some pink flagging tape on a tree just to the right of the intersection. We headed down this way and encountered a firepit and thankfully friendly homeowner who redirected us in the correct direction. Therefore, once you reach this intersection, keep left and continue uphill. Shortly after you will encounter another intersection, this time with Private Property signs clearly marked ahead. Keep to the right at this one and head uphill to the end of the old access road. There is a very old, very mossy wooden staircase that leads up a steep, short incline. Here you will see a private residence "uncomfortably close" as I had read. Even knowing ahead of time the house would be there, I was taken aback at how "uncomfortably close" it actually was. Clearly marked however where their property line is, it's easy to stay on the public side and make your way to the summit and cement fire tower footings. Some peekaboo views out to Lake Massabesic is about all there is to see up here.

My Strava app recorded some wacky tracks today on both walks, but I'll post for posterity. I'm one of those "if you don't record it, it didn't happen" people!

Strava Activity

the gate we started/ended

Lake Massabesic

Then we headed over to Jeremy Hill in Pelham. Again, I'm glad I printed out directions, and we still managed to start down the wrong trail! Park in the cul de sac at the very end of Jeremy Hill Road. There is an obvious place to pull off to the right of the circle, that is clear of all driveways. Do not head down the unmarked chained path to the left of the circle, instead look to your right and you will see an actual gated pathway a little ways behind some brush. This is the pathway you want to take. A private pond will be to your left. Head in a little ways and take a left into Jeremy Hill State Forest and up to the summit. There is a lollipop loop around the actual summit which again has some cement footings from the previously standing fire tower. No views or anything exciting to see, but it was a nice stroll (once we found the right way) and we are able to check off 2 more fire towers on the list.

Again, Strava recorded some whacked out pathways for us, which we didn't take, but in there somewhere is the actual path taken.

Strava Activity

This is the incorrect pathway to take...

This is the correct pathway hidden behind some brush

Bear Hill

Another perfect day to get out and explore during this time of social distancing and self isolation. As devastated as I am for the world and its current state, I'm blessed that my family is well and has been accompanying me on these adventures. Today we headed for Bear Book State Park in Allenstown. Ironically, my husband and I had just watched an episode of 'Dateline' the day before about a horrific series of events that took place in this park over the past 40 years or so involving a serial killer. We reflected somewhat as we walked on this beautiful day about the sadness involving that story and the families affected.

Our destination was Bear Hill. A small "mountain" in the park that is on the NH Firetower list. Being March, the gates to the park are still closed (although we found them open upon our return and encountered a couple of out of state cars who had meandered down the road, I suspect following GPS directions. Not sure why the gate was open and if they were able to drive all the way through!).. we parked in the hiker/biker lot at the gates on Podunk Road. The lot was full, not surprising on this gorgeous day. Amazingly though, on our 2 hour, 4.5 mile hike, we only encountered a couple of mountain bikers, a group of horse riders and a team of sled dogs training with an ATV! That was quite the sight!

We walked down Podunk Road until we reached Bear Hill Trail. From here it is 1.2 miles to the summit, an easy hike. Relatively flat until the final small stretch, and even here the grades are minimal. There are no views really anywhere along this trail. Just a matter of enjoying nature. Just below the summit are the foundations of the former fire tower and lots of anthills. Thankfully not active at this time of year! I had planned on continuing to make a loop, per the map I had printed, on Ledge Trail joining up with Hedgehog Trail and back to Podunk Road. Once we were at the summit though, we found no trace of Ledge Trail or any trail continuing at this point. Therefore we just turned around and headed back the way we came. Instead of taking Bear Hill Trail the entire way back, there is a shortcut to Podunk Road not far from the summit, which we took and then just followed the road back to the car.

Suunto Activity

Beech Hill (Keene)

Wow, it has been such a long time since I've had the opportunity to get outside and put some miles on these shoes.. I've re-entered the workforce full time and between that and kid commitments (which I adore) I just haven't had the energy to do more for myself.. silly reasons. Now with the crazy world we find ourselves living in (for future reading, we are surviving through the Covid-19 pandemic). All kids sports and activities have been canceled and everyone is practicing social distancing. Honestly, despite the tragic circumstances for this, I'm loving the opportunity to spend quality time with those I love most. My family. It was a gorgeous day and it was perfect to get out and get some fresh air. Having had little to no real hiking for over a year, I knew it had to be easy. Looking at the Fire Tower list we have very slowly been working on, I chose Beech Hill in Keene. Super quick, just over a mile total with about 120 feet of elevation gain, but that was just what I needed. The "trailhead" is on Chapman Road in Keene, a gated fence to an access road leading to some cell towers. Starting up the access road, you quickly encounter a water tank after which a "trail" heads into the woods and out to Sunset Rock which overlooks downtown Keene. I had seen a variety of GPS routes in which people made a loop from here to the summit and back down. We couldn't really figure out where this occurred (ie - we couldn't see a trail) so we followed an old access road to what we believed was the summit, in which there is an old foundation. I had seen on another hikers YouTube video that this possibly was that built by the former owner who had aspirations of opening an inn up there. Today someone has built a little leafy hideaway, but that's all that remains. We "bushwhacked" over to the cell towers and took the paved road back down.

Strava Activity

Sunset Rock

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