Acteon Ridge, Sachem Peak & Blueberries

[1HappyHiker]

Acteon Ridge, Sachem Peak & Blueberries (29-July-2008)

Up until the very last minute, I was undecided on what hike to do today. The weather forecast was beginning to look “iffy” for the various options in my neck of the woods (the Bethlehem area). However, the forecast appeared to be better for the middle and southern parts of the State. So, it was decided to drive south down I-93 to the Waterville area and do a bushwhack to Acteon Ridge and do Sachem Peak.

I’d hoped to get an early start (early for me!) around 8:30 AM. However, as luck would have it, my home computer developed a problem in the morning. Being obsessive-compulsive, I just had to troubleshoot and fix the problem before leaving the house. So, I actually did not leave Bethlehem until about 9:30 AM.

One of the traditional approaches to access the various peaks on the Acteon Ridge (including Sachem Peak) is to use the Smarts Brook Trail. However, that is a very long approach (especially for Sachem Peak). And, due to my late start, I debated on doing the long “on-trail” approach, or just “cutting to the chase” and taking a much shorter route by bushwacking directly to the ridge from the High Brook Picnic area off Route 49. I opted for the shorter, more direct approach.

The whack up to the Acteon Ridge from Route 49 was predominantly an easy whack through open woods. However, there were occasional patches of “nastiness” which thankfully were short lived.

The views from the ridge and from Sachem Peak are very good, and I’m very happy that I did this hike. However, like everything in life, one has their own preferences. Personally, I prefer the hikes and views in the Crawford, Franconia, and Pinkham Notch areas. But, that being said, “variety is the spice of life”, and I certainly enjoy adding a bit of spice to my hiking by doing occasional hikes in areas other than those mentioned above.

Oh! And speaking of the “spice of life”, there were blueberries like you wouldn’t believe on Sachem Peak. It was a real treat to lounge on the summit, bask in the sun, munch on blueberries, and enjoy the views. Can life get much better?

A few photos from today’s hike are HERE.

1HappyHiker

 

[rocksnrolls]

Thanks for the TR. I've been thinking of whacking this ridge since coming down off Sandwich via Smarts Brook last winter

 

[RoySwkr]

If you just want to climb Sachem Peak, your route from 49 is fine

But there all ledges all the way up the ridge, start the bushwhack at the bottom and bail NW when you've had enough

 

[1HappyHiker]

If you just want to climb Sachem Peak, your route from 49 is fine

But there all ledges all the way up the ridge, start the bushwhack at the bottom and bail NW when you've had enough

Thanks! Your comments are right on the money! And actually, although I did not start at Bald Knob, I started at the adjacent summit (about 0.3 mile east of Bald Knob) and then traversed the remainder of the ridge up to Sachem Peak. That’s how I was able to get the photo shown in my TR, i.e. the one that’s looking up the Acteon Ridge toward Sachem Peak.

If I hadn’t got such a late start, I would have started at Bald Knob. But not knowing what surprises the ridge might have in store, I opted to do an abbreviated ridge traverse.

If I ever do the entire ridge, I’ll probably still use Rt 49 as the point of access now that I know it is easy whacking from there.

Thanks again for your comments!