Mt Mexico

[Jim lombard]

Has anyone ever been up Mt Mexico in Wonalancet? The Big rock cave trail looks like it climbs to the summit and then there's a possible connection to Mt Paugus as well. It looks like a nice early spring hike. Are there any views from the top?

 

[carole]

Nice view from the ledges of Paugus (summit is in the trees ). IIRC there is one water crossing that could be a bit tricky in spring runoff.

 

[el-bagr]

I don't recall any distant views from Mt Mexico, but Olivia and I did get to see a barred owl quite close on the lower part of the trail just off the road. The caves are interesting slab caves built of large erratics. In winter there are some limited views through the hardwoods. Cabin-Big Rock-Whitin Brook makes for a relaxed half-day loop in winter.

Stopher (if he's still around here?) would know best.

 

[TenPeaks]

My wife and I did the Paugus/Mexico loop last fall in a clockwise direction. There's a couple of rather steep sections near some cliffs heading up Mt. Paugus that are easier to ascend by going clockwise. I don't have a map with me at the moment and can't recall the trail names. The true summit of Paugus is off-trail, however there are some ledges near the top that offer some great views.

If you just want to go to Mt. Mexico and the caves it's an easy hike with little to no views. The summit of Mexico is broad and flat and in the trees. However, the caves are cool and worth a visit. Just beyone the caves the trail crosses a stream that can be tricky in high water. From there, the trail heading up Paugus is rather overgrown and difficult to follow in spots.

I'm pretty sure I did a "Trail Conditions" report last fall so do a search for Paugus to see my notes.

 

[stopher]

A real nice (and easy) loop is Big Rock Cave Trail - Whitin Brook Trail - Cabin Trail. But don't do it during periods of high water. There are four brook crossings, one on BRC and three on Whitin Brook, that are tricky.

The trip Ten Peaks mentioned would be Cabin - Lawrence - Old Paugus - Big Rock Cave. I've done it more times than I can remember, in both directions. It's about 8 miles and quite a workout for a maximum elevation of 3100'. There are great views about 3/4 way up Old Paugus and on the ledges at the top. But I most like the trip for the intimate views and interesting terrain between Cabin Trail and the col before the steep climb up Paugus.

Jim, I don't know where the website on your link got that map, but don't go by it. It's outdated by at least 30 years. Go here and buy one of their (our) maps.

 

[forestgnome]

I once spotted a pocket of quartz crystals in a rock on the Whitten Brook Trail, about thirty feet off the trail on the left, heading uphill. The rock is about 6'x6'.

el-bagr, I'm jealous! I've heard owls many times, and I've seen them in flight momentarily, but I'd love to be able to photograph a perched owl, especially a Barred Owl.

 

[Jim lombard]

Thanks for the info everybody, guess it'll save it for drier times.

Quoted by Stopher

Jim, I don't know where the website on your link got that map, but don't go by it. It's outdated by at least 30 years. Go here and buy one of their (our) maps.

Thanks for the info Stopher, that map is the NH atlas. By the way the WOC does a fantastic job on the trails. I consider the Passaconaway-Whiteface loop one of my favorite hikes ever.

 

[Jim lombard]

Thanks for the info Roy, we'll save that one for a leafless time. My wife needs the Kinsmans so we'll do that one next. Do you have favorites in early spring? I'm thinking of south facing trails without stream crossings, there aren't too many.

 

[RoySwkr]

Do you have favorites in early spring?

I often go S in mud & slush season, usually that means MA but last year I went to NC, still saw snow all but 2 days in 2 weeks.

I'm thinking of south facing trails without stream crossings, there aren't too many.

Hmm, off the top of my head:
Waumbek
Pierce/Eisenhower
Moosilauke Carriage Rd
Whiteface
Kearsarge North
Chocorua Hammond
Israel
Monadnock
Pack Monadnock