The Hikers
New member
We set out 0n Friday to visit a few more from the 52 WAV list. Our first stop was at the Crawford Depot. We crossd the tracks, headed out on the Avalon, took a quick left and got on the trail for Willard. It was immediately evident that this is a well-used trail. It climbs gradually on an old logging road until, before you know it, you arrive on some wide cliffs overlooking Crawford Notch. Here you are treated to some of the best views of the Notch for very little effort. We took MANY pics and went further down the trail where herd paths led to more views.
We went back down to our car and headed out for the next destination, which was Middle Sugarloaf. We had spent about 2 hours on the Willard excursion. The Sugarloaf Trail is off Zealand Road. We parked at the Trailhead and were soon on our way.Unlike Willard, there were some steep sections that took some energy, but it was a real pleasant trail with variety.
We were greeted by a wide open summit of Middle Sugarloaf with great views. The main view is of our old friend viewless Hale. (I apologize for the top of Joyce's head)
North Sugarloaf Below
We ate our lunch on Middle Sugarloaf, talked with a very nice family of hikers, and then headed down.Having some enrgy left we decided we'd go for a third mountain. The choice was between Iron Mountain in Jackson or Indian Head down in the notch. We tossed a coin, and headed for Indian Head. We parked in the Flume parking lot way up at the beginning of the bike path. The trail starts off by going under 93 and 3 by tunnels. Then it follows a small stream most of the way up the mountain. When we arrived at the summit there was a large crowd of young people already lounging on the cliff.,but once again, we were not disappointed in Views.
Going around the the other side of the mountain we got views of Flume, Liberty, and Lafayette.
We wondered around for awhile, conversed with some other hikers, and then headed back down to our car. At the parking lot the hot sun had made our car an oven, but we took a change of clothes back to a small steam, tidied up a bit, and , refreshed, headed out for some food.We got into Lincoln at about 4:30, found some Mexican food, and after eating, headed home.
The whole day went very well. Totalling up the miles and elevation gains for the three mountains gave us a substantial day, and the views and weather had been splendid. I would suggest any of these three mountains for those are looking for a good view for a modest effort. We will take our beginning hiker friends to these as an encouragement to keep hiking.
We went back down to our car and headed out for the next destination, which was Middle Sugarloaf. We had spent about 2 hours on the Willard excursion. The Sugarloaf Trail is off Zealand Road. We parked at the Trailhead and were soon on our way.Unlike Willard, there were some steep sections that took some energy, but it was a real pleasant trail with variety.
We were greeted by a wide open summit of Middle Sugarloaf with great views. The main view is of our old friend viewless Hale. (I apologize for the top of Joyce's head)
North Sugarloaf Below
We ate our lunch on Middle Sugarloaf, talked with a very nice family of hikers, and then headed down.Having some enrgy left we decided we'd go for a third mountain. The choice was between Iron Mountain in Jackson or Indian Head down in the notch. We tossed a coin, and headed for Indian Head. We parked in the Flume parking lot way up at the beginning of the bike path. The trail starts off by going under 93 and 3 by tunnels. Then it follows a small stream most of the way up the mountain. When we arrived at the summit there was a large crowd of young people already lounging on the cliff.,but once again, we were not disappointed in Views.
Going around the the other side of the mountain we got views of Flume, Liberty, and Lafayette.
We wondered around for awhile, conversed with some other hikers, and then headed back down to our car. At the parking lot the hot sun had made our car an oven, but we took a change of clothes back to a small steam, tidied up a bit, and , refreshed, headed out for some food.We got into Lincoln at about 4:30, found some Mexican food, and after eating, headed home.
The whole day went very well. Totalling up the miles and elevation gains for the three mountains gave us a substantial day, and the views and weather had been splendid. I would suggest any of these three mountains for those are looking for a good view for a modest effort. We will take our beginning hiker friends to these as an encouragement to keep hiking.
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