marty
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Ray and I decided to hike something today that neither of us had ever done. We decided to do Mts. Hedgehog and Potash, two smaller peaks of about 2,700 feet, from the Kancamangus Highway.
We drove just past the trailhead to check out Downe’s Brook. It was running very high and had a brown tint to it. Decided to park at a woods road just west of the brook that hooks into the Mt. Potash Trail, thus avoiding a potentially nasty brook crossing.
We hit the road about 8:35. With only a dusting of snow, it was very easy to hike, with LOTS of animal tracks of many kinds. After about 15 minutes, we found the trail and took a right to head up the mountain.
The trail was quite attractive, with a couple of hemlock forests. Whenever the trail turned west or northwest, a cold breeze would begin to blow and instantly chill us. As soon as we would turn in another direction, the winds would subside. There was very little snow or ice for the first half of the hike. At about 2,000 feet, we started running into a little ice, but still kept bare booting. Shortly after that, we came to an outlook to the south, showing some mountains (Sleepers?) that had a couple of impressive slides. At about 2,300 feet, we encountered a little icy ledge, so decided to put on the Stabilicers. The Stabilicers worked great until we got to the final push up the summit cone. There is a short but steep scramble over sometimes icy ledge, with about an inch of snow. It was slippery, but doable. We then hiked another .1 miles and hit the summit, with views partially obstructed by clouds. Our guess is that the view would be excellent on a clear day.
We headed back down and Ray took a minor tumble, only injuring his pride and the knee of his hiking pants. We carefully made our way down with the Stabilicers and got back to the car about 11:10 or so.
We had a snack, loaded the truck and drove .6 miles to the UNH Trail and started up the Mt. Hedgehog Loop at 11:40, going counterclockwise. It was a really well graded trail and an easy, gradual hike. We quickly reached a spur trail and visited Allen’s Ledge, with nice views to the southeast, including Chocorua. The rest of the trail to the summit was pretty easy, with some nice views along the way. We got our first view of South Hancock and waved to Sapblatt, Tuco, Double Bow and Larry D, who were tackling that beast today. Also had a nice view of the Pemi and the Presi’s along the way. At about 2,500 feet, we ran into some snow covered ice and again went for the Stabilicers, which made an easy hike the rest of the way to the summit. Just before the summit, there is a nice outlook to the west and then the ledgy summit has an excellent outlook to the south. It has a really nice view of close by Passaconaway. There was about 2 inches of snow on the summit.
We had a really rough time finding the eastern loop, as the trail blazes were on the rocks, which were snow covered. After exploring several options, we finally found the way. It is strange that the eastern loop trail starts by going west.
The eastern loop is much rougher, with lots of ledge and some tricky spots. It starts by zigzagging down the summit and eventually begins to head east. After a bit, we hit the East Ledges, which were very expansive and had beautiful views southern and western views. Below the ledges there was lots of ice and the Stablicers made it pretty easy. The east loop is also much rougher than the west and had several small, easy stream crossings. We eventually got toward the parking lot. With the parking lot in plain site, I tripped on a root and fell face first. Minor pain only. This is the second time I fell at the very end of a hike this year. Hope it is not a pattern.
All in, we hiked just about 10 miles, with 2,900 feet in elevation gain. The views and trails were beautiful. The weather was pretty mild. The sun shined on occasion. It was very quiet on the trail and was a good workout. Can’t ask for more than that.
I strongly recommend these as fun trails when you’re looking for something different. Of the two, we liked Hedgehog a bit better, as it was a loop, had more viewpoints and had more varied terrain. I would recommend doing it clockwise in winter conditions, as the west loop would be the easier way to descend.
Ray, as always, it was an absolute pleasure to hike with you. Thanks for driving!
Marty
We drove just past the trailhead to check out Downe’s Brook. It was running very high and had a brown tint to it. Decided to park at a woods road just west of the brook that hooks into the Mt. Potash Trail, thus avoiding a potentially nasty brook crossing.
We hit the road about 8:35. With only a dusting of snow, it was very easy to hike, with LOTS of animal tracks of many kinds. After about 15 minutes, we found the trail and took a right to head up the mountain.
The trail was quite attractive, with a couple of hemlock forests. Whenever the trail turned west or northwest, a cold breeze would begin to blow and instantly chill us. As soon as we would turn in another direction, the winds would subside. There was very little snow or ice for the first half of the hike. At about 2,000 feet, we started running into a little ice, but still kept bare booting. Shortly after that, we came to an outlook to the south, showing some mountains (Sleepers?) that had a couple of impressive slides. At about 2,300 feet, we encountered a little icy ledge, so decided to put on the Stabilicers. The Stabilicers worked great until we got to the final push up the summit cone. There is a short but steep scramble over sometimes icy ledge, with about an inch of snow. It was slippery, but doable. We then hiked another .1 miles and hit the summit, with views partially obstructed by clouds. Our guess is that the view would be excellent on a clear day.
We headed back down and Ray took a minor tumble, only injuring his pride and the knee of his hiking pants. We carefully made our way down with the Stabilicers and got back to the car about 11:10 or so.
We had a snack, loaded the truck and drove .6 miles to the UNH Trail and started up the Mt. Hedgehog Loop at 11:40, going counterclockwise. It was a really well graded trail and an easy, gradual hike. We quickly reached a spur trail and visited Allen’s Ledge, with nice views to the southeast, including Chocorua. The rest of the trail to the summit was pretty easy, with some nice views along the way. We got our first view of South Hancock and waved to Sapblatt, Tuco, Double Bow and Larry D, who were tackling that beast today. Also had a nice view of the Pemi and the Presi’s along the way. At about 2,500 feet, we ran into some snow covered ice and again went for the Stabilicers, which made an easy hike the rest of the way to the summit. Just before the summit, there is a nice outlook to the west and then the ledgy summit has an excellent outlook to the south. It has a really nice view of close by Passaconaway. There was about 2 inches of snow on the summit.
We had a really rough time finding the eastern loop, as the trail blazes were on the rocks, which were snow covered. After exploring several options, we finally found the way. It is strange that the eastern loop trail starts by going west.
The eastern loop is much rougher, with lots of ledge and some tricky spots. It starts by zigzagging down the summit and eventually begins to head east. After a bit, we hit the East Ledges, which were very expansive and had beautiful views southern and western views. Below the ledges there was lots of ice and the Stablicers made it pretty easy. The east loop is also much rougher than the west and had several small, easy stream crossings. We eventually got toward the parking lot. With the parking lot in plain site, I tripped on a root and fell face first. Minor pain only. This is the second time I fell at the very end of a hike this year. Hope it is not a pattern.
All in, we hiked just about 10 miles, with 2,900 feet in elevation gain. The views and trails were beautiful. The weather was pretty mild. The sun shined on occasion. It was very quiet on the trail and was a good workout. Can’t ask for more than that.
I strongly recommend these as fun trails when you’re looking for something different. Of the two, we liked Hedgehog a bit better, as it was a loop, had more viewpoints and had more varied terrain. I would recommend doing it clockwise in winter conditions, as the west loop would be the easier way to descend.
Ray, as always, it was an absolute pleasure to hike with you. Thanks for driving!
Marty
