marty
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Ray and I decided we would do a hike closer to home today. We chose Pawtuckaway State Park in Raymond, NH (between Hampton and Manchester).
After a quick drive from northern Massachusetts, we arrived at the Reservation Road and Tower Road junction and parked Ray’s truck. There was about 3 or 4 inches of snow on the ground and conditions were clear with reasonable temps and generally light winds. We headed up Tower Road and then took the Mountain Trail for a stretch, eventually hooking back with Tower Road, just before the spur trail to the South Mountain summit and fire tower. The spur was short and steep and was completely packed down due to ATV use. Just below the summit was a large icy section that would be a great practice area for someone getting acquainted with crampons.
The South Mountain summit area and fire tower had excellent views. The stairs were open and not icy, but the tower building itself was closed up. We met a nice couple with a small dog up (Boston Terrier?) at the summit.
We then headed north down the South Ridge Trail. It had a couple of neat scrambles and some slippery spots, although we decided not to put on our Stabilicers. Thankfully o ATV’s on this stretch – too rough. There were also some beautiful hemlock and white pine forests through here. We then got to Tower Road and headed south.
Next was the Middle Mountain, which was going up a road with switchbacks and easy grades. There is a decent viewpoint a bit south of the summit.
We headed back down the road, went back up the spur to South Mountain and headed south on the South Ridge Trail. There were some nice views up top, but shortly after we ran into more ATV signs. We followed it back to the Mountain Trail and out the Tower Road to the truck.
I figure we put in about 8 miles and around 1500 feet of elevation gain/loss. Only saw 6 hikers and an ATV on the trail. Not bad for less than an hour drive. Always great to get out hiking with Ray, too!
Marty
After a quick drive from northern Massachusetts, we arrived at the Reservation Road and Tower Road junction and parked Ray’s truck. There was about 3 or 4 inches of snow on the ground and conditions were clear with reasonable temps and generally light winds. We headed up Tower Road and then took the Mountain Trail for a stretch, eventually hooking back with Tower Road, just before the spur trail to the South Mountain summit and fire tower. The spur was short and steep and was completely packed down due to ATV use. Just below the summit was a large icy section that would be a great practice area for someone getting acquainted with crampons.
The South Mountain summit area and fire tower had excellent views. The stairs were open and not icy, but the tower building itself was closed up. We met a nice couple with a small dog up (Boston Terrier?) at the summit.
We then headed north down the South Ridge Trail. It had a couple of neat scrambles and some slippery spots, although we decided not to put on our Stabilicers. Thankfully o ATV’s on this stretch – too rough. There were also some beautiful hemlock and white pine forests through here. We then got to Tower Road and headed south.
Next was the Middle Mountain, which was going up a road with switchbacks and easy grades. There is a decent viewpoint a bit south of the summit.
We headed back down the road, went back up the spur to South Mountain and headed south on the South Ridge Trail. There were some nice views up top, but shortly after we ran into more ATV signs. We followed it back to the Mountain Trail and out the Tower Road to the truck.
I figure we put in about 8 miles and around 1500 feet of elevation gain/loss. Only saw 6 hikers and an ATV on the trail. Not bad for less than an hour drive. Always great to get out hiking with Ray, too!
Marty
