Evans Notch Weekend in Maine and New Hampshire
John and I (June) enjoyed three great days of hiking along trails off Rt. 113 (Evans Notch) on August 11-13. The air was cool, and the wind more so, which made it perfect weather for hiking by day and sitting around the campfire by night.
The trails we traveled…
Friday: Blueberry Mountain by going up the White Cairn Trail and down the Stone House Trail. Then we crossed the road and hiked a loop around Shell Pond.
Saturday: East and West Royce Mountains, via Royce Trail, East Royce Connector, to West Royce via the Basin Rim trail and down the Basin Trail back to the Basin campground.
Sunday: Caribou Mountain, via Mud Brook Trail and Caribou Trail. Spectacular little mountain.
The Highlights…
Views: Every hike was packed with views into Maine and New Hampshire. Lots of ledges and outlooks in Evans Notch. It appears some of the higher elevation birches are starting to turn already. (It’s too soon!!!)
Trails: Lots of quartz and mica and other minerals run through the rocky ledges and summits. We came across one patch of quartz crystals that had been ‘worked over’ in the past.
History: Crossing the Basin Rim trail, and over the summit of West Royce (not noticeable as such along the trail) we stopped and explored the ruins of a former wooden fire tower removed in 1948. Four large cement supports remain on an open area of rock, and wood timbers and other debris are sprawled under the trees.
Camping: Traditional first-night steak tips cooked over a wood fire and washed down with a rich red wine. The wind swirling smoke around the fire pit added a smoky taste to this batch. S’mores were part of this feast.
Must return to do: The swimming holes. The deepest—Rattlesnake Pool, where kids were jumping in (and gasping from cold when they surfaced). And the totally unoccupied swimming holes and sunning rocks on the Cold River, found along the flat, old road section of the Royce Trail.
It was a great weekend in a little-explored part of the White Mountain National Forest. If you are looking to avoid the crowds in the more popular areas of the Whites, then head to Evans Notch!
Pictures here: http://community.webshots.com/album/553256560SYkxZF
John and I (June) enjoyed three great days of hiking along trails off Rt. 113 (Evans Notch) on August 11-13. The air was cool, and the wind more so, which made it perfect weather for hiking by day and sitting around the campfire by night.
The trails we traveled…
Friday: Blueberry Mountain by going up the White Cairn Trail and down the Stone House Trail. Then we crossed the road and hiked a loop around Shell Pond.
Saturday: East and West Royce Mountains, via Royce Trail, East Royce Connector, to West Royce via the Basin Rim trail and down the Basin Trail back to the Basin campground.
Sunday: Caribou Mountain, via Mud Brook Trail and Caribou Trail. Spectacular little mountain.
The Highlights…
Views: Every hike was packed with views into Maine and New Hampshire. Lots of ledges and outlooks in Evans Notch. It appears some of the higher elevation birches are starting to turn already. (It’s too soon!!!)
Trails: Lots of quartz and mica and other minerals run through the rocky ledges and summits. We came across one patch of quartz crystals that had been ‘worked over’ in the past.
History: Crossing the Basin Rim trail, and over the summit of West Royce (not noticeable as such along the trail) we stopped and explored the ruins of a former wooden fire tower removed in 1948. Four large cement supports remain on an open area of rock, and wood timbers and other debris are sprawled under the trees.
Camping: Traditional first-night steak tips cooked over a wood fire and washed down with a rich red wine. The wind swirling smoke around the fire pit added a smoky taste to this batch. S’mores were part of this feast.
Must return to do: The swimming holes. The deepest—Rattlesnake Pool, where kids were jumping in (and gasping from cold when they surfaced). And the totally unoccupied swimming holes and sunning rocks on the Cold River, found along the flat, old road section of the Royce Trail.
It was a great weekend in a little-explored part of the White Mountain National Forest. If you are looking to avoid the crowds in the more popular areas of the Whites, then head to Evans Notch!
Pictures here: http://community.webshots.com/album/553256560SYkxZF
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