Paugus and South Paugus summits

[rocksnrolls]

I'm planning a hike to Paugus next week - probably via Big Rock Cave Tr, Old Paugus Tr, Lawrence Tr and Cabin Tr (counterclockwise). Can anyone offer any info on the true summits? From what I can gather in the WMG, South Paugus is at the junction of Lawrence and Old Paugus, but the guide doesn't seem to say anything about the true summit of Paugus which should be off the Lawrence Tr. I'm guessing it'll be a whack with a couple hundred feet of climbing involved. I'd appreciate any info on possible herd paths to look for, thickness of the woods, and if I can expect a vftt.

 

[Gamehiker]

I went to the true summit on May 13 this year. I found no herd paths. The woods are of medium thickness better than I expected. No views at all. You will see a somewhat cleared area off to you left (West) I avoided it because it looked like 6-8' spruce were reclaiming it and probably had blowdowns littering the floor. The high point is probably a small ledge to the right of that area where I found an old string wrapped around a tree but no jar. This is probably no further than .3 mile from the trail sign on South Paugus.
Jim

 

[forestgnome]

Doesn't Mt. Paugus have some cliffs/ledges on the SE side, visible from Mt. Chocorua and Sisters? I've been eyeing those ledges for a bushwack, and I thought it was Mt. Paugus.

Happy Trails

 

[audrey]

The ledges and slides are below the viewpoint bump but sure look like a lot of fun, though I expect there's a lot of loose stuff there. Much of the viewpoint ledge rings hollow and looks like it's ready to crack right off.

For the true summit, we headed down the Lawrence Trail (away from Chocorua) for a few hundred yards and then took a bearing on the summit. It was all pretty open except for some blowdown areas that we skirted to the right just before we found the canister. One of the easy ones.

 

[rocksnrolls]

thanks for all the info. Sounds like it'll be a lot easier than my hike last week (West Scar Ridge )

 

[audrey]

If you've never been on Paugus, my favorite way to go is the Kelley Trail to Lawrence Trail from Wonalancet. It's quite rough in places, ascends a couple of gullies and scoots by a couple of cliffy ledges. I expect they'll probably reroute it eventually, so get it while you can. For the return, Old Paugus Trail to Whitin Brook to Cabin Trail and back to the Lawrence is nice. The Old Mast Road is a gentle descent (great skiing too). This loop takes you through a very interesting variety of forest types.

 

[rocksnrolls]

If you've never been on Paugus, my favorite way to go is the Kelley Trail to Lawrence Trail from Wonalancet. It's quite rough in places, ascends a couple of gullies and scoots by a couple of cliffy ledges. I expect they'll probably reroute it eventually, so get it while you can. For the return, Old Paugus Trail to Whitin Brook to Cabin Trail and back to the Lawrence is nice. The Old Mast Road is a gentle descent (great skiing too). This loop takes you through a very interesting variety of forest types.

I'm thinking for my 3rd day in the area I'll hike to Square Ledge. The route for that might be up Kelley, west on Lawrence, north on Square Ledge Tr, with a return via Walden Tr and Old Mast Rd. Might add a trip to Passaconaway (for my 2nd round of the 48) while I'm at it. Perhaps I'll also throw in a redlining hike on Lawrence over to the Cabin Tr junction while I'm there...