Short Hikes to Big Rewards

Laurie and I went to New Hampshire this week. I couldn't resist the 70 degree days falling on my days off. For Laurie it was also too good to be true. She found a way to rearrange her work schedule so she could also have Friday off. We left Thursday night after we got out of work. We drove up in the dark and set up the tent. When we woke up we were ready to play.

The plan was to go to as many nice spots as we could that were on short hikes. After last week's big hikes over three big mountains, I was quite content to do some short easy trails. We spent most of our time in the eastern White Mountains. I don't get that way too often because it is such a long ride. I might be missing out. We went to some really cool spots.

The first place we drove to was Lost Pond in Pinkham Notch. The trail is only about a half mile each way. We got there after sunrise but before the sun rose over Wildcat behind us. The parking is in the huge Pinkham Notch parking lot across the street.

A pretty cool ledge was across
from the sitting rock we were on.

For a short distance the trail runs along this pretty brook.

After our time at the lake we went back the way we came. Instead of going back to the car we went up Square Ledge. This is a rocky ledge I believe on Wildcat. It is accessed from the same trailhead. The hike goes up the hill until you reach the bottom of the ledge. Then it gets really steep as it goes up around the cliff. It is only a half mile but the end will warm you up. The view is directly across from Big George. There is an excellent view into Huntington Ravine.

The trail to Square Ledge goes under this awesome overhang

Looking up the cliff from the trail

Pinkham Notch Visitor Center in the middle.
The ravines of Washington above

Without even moving the car we went to a third hike. We walked up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail ten minutes to Crystal Cascades. This waterfall used to be my favorite. The last time I was there I was still using film. I can't believe how fast time flies.

From there we headed to the Wildcat Mountain Ski Area. There is a small waterfall I only learned about last week named Thompson Falls. We took the mile hike out knowing it would be but a trickle. We still wanted to see it. Sure enough, not much water was going over. Still it was pretty enough to make the hike worth it. 

After we got back to the car we headed south towards Conway. We decided to sleep in a backcountry shelter at a mountain pond. It was an easy hike even with our home for the night loaded on our back. When we got there we had the place to ourselves until well after dark. A lone hiker came by at 10 pm. Earlier we laid down by the shoreline and looked at the stars for an hour before we went to bed. 

Our shelter for the night. Laurie slept in the tent. I slept in my
bag outside the tent (the red thing in middle of photo)

 

When we got up it was extremely warm. We packed the gear and walked out. We heard a loon call. We had also scared up a rough grouse. After we got to the car we had to come up with a game plan. We did everything on my agenda Friday. We decided to hike out to another mountain lake that neither of us had ever been to. 

It was a Saturday in the mountains that was over seventy degrees in October. The peak foliage was just below the Kanc. Needless to say we were not expecting solitude, but we did try to avoid the tourist meccas on the Kanc and Franconia. We found a lake that was a mile from the road. The trail was easy. At the pond there is an outstanding view of Mount Chocoura. We hung arond the lake for over an hour eating snacks and lounging on some huge downed pine trees. 

As I said, we did not expect solitude. However this lake had it. We never saw another person on the hike in or out. No one was at the lake. The warm sunlight was enough to make one fall asleep in the quiet setting. It was an excellent way to spend a morning.

After we came out we drove down Route 16 and stopped at the classic view of Mt Chocoura and Chocoura Lake. It was perfect. The water was flat. There were great colors on the mountain. At least five kayakers were enjoying this perfect day.

Sadly it was getting late. We made our way west on the Kanc and got a lte lunch in Lincoln. We made one more stop at Mirror Lake. Just like everywhere else, the water was flat. A lot of people were fishing. This leads me to believe trout were just stocked. I've been to this lake multiple times and barely ever see anyone.

If we somehow manage another week of warm weather, it will be hard for me not to head back. I would love to spend the night on Cabot and knock out one more 4000 footer. If this was my last time up for the year, it was a great way to go out, but I already miss it.

A very cooperative toad