Mts. Straightback, Anna and Major 6/26/11

" A day on the Southern Belknaps" (pictures)

Difficulty: Brook Trail, Major-Belknap Trail, Boulder Trail - Moderate (loose footing and moderate ledges in spots)

Directions: From Alton, NH take Rt. 11 West and follow it for about 6 miles. Trail head parking lot is on the left (blue sign)

Report: Yet again, another weekend with reports of unsettled weather. We were hoping to bag a 4000 footer to get back going on the list but with the chance of rain and thundershowers increasing the further North you go, we cancelled those plans! We watched the weather again in the morning and moped around trying to get somewhat motivated and figure out what to do. Finally we just packed our lunches and headed out to somewhere, anywhere! As we approached Alton it was decision time as to which way to go. The sun was poking out a bit so I decided to head for Mt. Major to take advantage of this sliver of sun before it was too late! I thought we could try and find Mt. Anna and maybe make it over to Mt. Belknap. The lot was already filling up at 8:30am and already plenty of unleashed dogs barking and running around in the parking lot. Grrr!

The humidity was going up quick so we took the long sleeves off and headed up Mt. Major Trail (blue blazes). At the junction we kept straight along Brook Trail (yellow blazes). Blazes had been freshly painted. We made our way along the gradual woods road and up the washed out hillside along the brook bank. A boring trail this time of year but was void of all but a couple hikers descending. Trails today were wet and teaming with Northern Red-Spotted Nutes! Mushrooms were also making an appearance, YAY! I LOVE mushrooms, for those who don't know!

Once we hit the junction on the ridge (Major-Belknap trail I think) we took a right and followed the trail along ledgy pine forest. A pair of Mourning Doves were hanging out along a trail section and I was excited to be able to snap a couple good pictures of one! After some time we arrived at the Mt. Straightback summit. Our third time on this peak. After pics Scott kept the lead headed in the direction for Mt. Anna. We passed the open ledges below Straighback and began to descend down other ledges. Then the trail dropped steeply next to broken ledge.

Below the ledge the forest changed dramatically to a beach tree forest and lovely mosquito's! They weren't too bad so bug spray was not needed all day. A long journey took us to an interesting ledgy climb up to a pine forested ridge and across to a junction sign. Here we were startled by a man who came out of the woods with a chain saw! Apparently he was just as startled! He noticed my Forest Society hat and asked if we were members. I told him we were new stewards for the Moose Mountains Reservation. Turns out he was a trail maintainer for the Belknap trails and used to work for the Forest Society as a Forester. A great person to meet on the trails! We asked where Mt. Anna was to find out we were standing on the summit! He pointed us to a view that was just down the trail a little more ways. He said he just topped some view obstructing trees and said we had to go check it out!

So off we went! And sure enough there was a wonderful ledge view to the South and West. Particularly of the nearby pond and on a clear day he said you could see Monadnock from this point. It was a nice and quite spot. The sky's remained overcast but otherwise rain free and it was turning out to be a pretty good day. We decided not to push our luck and head back.

So after a quick break we headed back past Anna and back up to Straightback. A young couple was taking a break at the summit and the guy was asking all sorts of questions about the trails and peaks. He was rather intrigued when I told him the mountain in the distance with the building on it was Gunstock. He was excited to learn there was a trail all the way through to it and said he would head that way.

We continued onto Mt. Major. The summit was very busy, not surprisingly. People, kids and dogs! 40 or so people, yuck! We took a quick look over Lake Winnipesaukee and the barely visible Ossipee and Sandwich Range hazed in with clouds. We weaved around the people and around the backside of the summit foundation. From here we decided to head down Boulder Trail (orange blazes).

We continued to pass people coming up and heading down. Many were making there way up the steep ledge section. I have to say, some looked like they were ready to drop dead. Some had young kids who were having a hard time and some adults were even annoyed by the onslaught of climbing. Some people just don't know what they are getting into! Then again, this very busy summer mountain has no kiosk or trail map at the parking lot. A shame considering all the tourists that visit this mountain. Many out of shape and many with children who would benefit from a sign showing the trails, distance and difficulties. We arrived back at the parking lot at 2pm, the parking lot full and cars parked down along the road.

Moose Mountain Reservation 5/24/11

"Wildflowers, Mud, Ruts and Ticks" (pictures)
(Moose Mountains Facebook Group)

Difficulty: Easy

Directions: From downtown Farmington, NH take Rt. 153 North into Middleton about 5 miles. Continue onto King's Highway for .9 miles. Turn right at the police station onto Ridge Road. At 1.6 miles turn left onto New Portsmouth Road. Bear left onto New Portsmouth Road Exd. The trail head and kiosk will be seen ahead. You can park at the kiosk or continue 400 feet on an unmaintained road to an upper parking area just past the river.

Report: Recently completing our Land Steward training with the SPNHF I thought we would check on the Moose Mountains Reservation property when Scott got home from work Tuesday. A quick 15 minute drive and we pulled into the parking lot. Someone had put the gate back in place but is still in need of a lock. Wildflowers were out in full force as we walked the road. Black flies were a little bothersome but not all that bad. As we walked the road signs of ATV use was evident worse than when we were here exactly a month ago. Muddy ruts were numerous. As we reached the Cemetery section that passes through private property we noticed the cable had been re-attached and locked across the bridge. Again ATV users had dug up the road along the cemetery and up the field entering the Burrows Farm area.

Once up at the Burrows Farm fields of wild strawberry and grasses were torn up by mud tire tread. It was rather upsetting to see so much disregard to this scenic, historic area. We walked up to what we determined to be the home site and found a boulder with a plaque on it. The apple trees were in bloom and it was such a nice spot. Someone had done target practice on the farm site itself filling some old tin pales up with bullet holes. The over shots had nicked the pine tree that marks one of the corners to the Burrows 1800's cemetery. This got me on a vendetta to do everything in my power to stop the illegal use of this property. To add to all this dismay ticks were racing up our clothing and backs quicker than anything I've ever seen!

Past the field we made our way through muddy ruts and up the RV trail. I rolled a large rock into the large pool of water here for easier crossing and to discourage ATV use across it. We continued to the junction below Phoebes Nable Mt. From here we headed back down the main trail where we erected an old gate across the road that had been thrown in the woods. More ticks and black flies we headed back out and to the truck. We have a lot of work on our hands here. Once we can stop the ATV use on this reservation, trails need to be repaired, foot bridges built, blazing needed and culverts cleaned out! All told Scott had 12 ticks on him in just an hour of hiking and I had 6 on me. YUCK!