Hiking on Sunday, 1-2-11

[hikes-with-him]

Hi all

Gonna be in NH for the New Years...and just CAN'T be there without hiking SOMETHING on Sunday.

What are some suggestions for a smaller hike in the Gorham/Randolph area for Sunday...now that we're members of the great 4k-er's club...something on the 100 highest list would be nice

Thanks for the advice

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Your closest NEHH options include: The Bulge, The Horn (you may have done these with Cabot) and The Weekses.

Of course there are plenty of non-NEHH peaks in that area too.

Tim

 

[peakbagger]

A think Mt Hayes via the Mahoosuc trail in Gorham is 52 with a view hike. Great views and there are some nice short detours to some interesting places. The one down side is that you have to walk along a snowmachine trail for the about a mile at the beginning and end of the hike. This section isnt well marked so drop me a PM if you want further directions.

Mt Weeks is not hiked to a lot in the winter so you are probably breaking trail all day plus there are really no views. The hike up to Unknown Pond and over to the Horn and the Bulge should be broken out. With the current snow conditions the hike from North Weeks to South Weeks would be a challenge.

There are some nice hikes in Randolph. Mt Crescent has a partial loop or you can add in Carlton Notch trail to extend it.

Not in Gorham but about the same distance from southern Maine is Baldapate (or Speck) on Rt 26.

A favorite short hike is the Pine Mountain Trail from Gorham. There are views but not neccesarily on the trail. There are spur paths to lead to views south down Pinkham notch and east along the Androscoggin.

 

[Raven]

Hi HWH,

Dome Rock from Appalachia makes a nice destination with good views weather permitting. Can be done in about a 3-4 mile loop from Appalachia. Check the Presidential Range map for specific trails. Care should be taken on the exposed bedrock near Dome Rock and there's one water crossing that deserves some respect.

Across Route 2, Lookout Ledge is also a nice destination. Approach can be made from two ways (Sargent Path or Ledge Trail). Sargent Path is pretty steep. A loop involving both trails and some roadwalk might be 3 miles. An up and back on the Ledge Trail would involve a little easier grade.

To reiterate another post, the Crescent Range is a great snowshoe trip as well.

I'd suggest spending some time with the map around Appalachia and checking things out. Endless lopps of various lengths can be made in this area to some great spots off the beaten path. Some of the best hiking in the Whites IMO and because of the large variety of trails, it's easy to get solitude as the vast majority of hikers in the area tend to stick to the more popular trails like Valley Way and Air Line. Enjoy!

 

[Lefty E]

Hikes near Gorham

Also you could hike the Carter Moriah trail from Bangor St. to the viewpoints on Mt. Surprise (nice views of Presidentials and others), Imp Face from the north trailhead of course, and a fun snowshoe is the Great Gulf trail-also some nice little ones in Pinkham like Lost Pond, and old Jackson Rd to Low's Bald Spot or the nice little loops in there...hope the weather co ops with you!!

 

[dug]

Poke around the Crescent Range around Gorham Hill. Nice easy hikes and very pretty in the winter.