Summer is for adventures!  Join me and friend Eric Cohen for a Sunday hike in the Sandwich Range Wilderness Region – June 19, 2016.  This is a moderate to strenuous hike.

The agenda for the day will be to hike at a reasonable pace – take our time – and enjoy the camaraderie.  Our hike will start at the trail head of the Algonquin Trail.  The hike begins on the remnants of an old logging road and passes a small brook and meadow.  We must keep our eyes open to a left turn and Yellow blazes.  The trail begins to ascend steeply, moderates, passes through some ledges and a few brooks, and then ascends steeply again.  The trail continues and ascends steeply – and - we must carry over several rock scrambles – these can make people nervous – the AMC guidebook describes them as steep but short.  This is our first time on this trail so we can’t comment but if you don’t like rock scrambles, you may not like this section of the hike.  The trail continues on steeply and begins to level off as we pass Black Mountain.  Algonquin intersects with Black Mtn. Pond Trail and we turn left to carry on the Algonquin trail at a moderate ascent passing – and taking in - several view points.  The trail descends slightly before we begin the final moderate climb to Sandwich Dome at 3,980’.  Atop the dome we’ll get to look over Noon and Jennings Peak – a preview of the way down.  Providing we have clear skies, the Tripyramids, Mt. Osceola and Mt. Tecumseh should be in full view.  I’ve been doing lots of hiking in the whites and I’m beginning to recognize summits – I’ll have my maps so we can have some fun locating peaks.  We’ll lunch on the dome and then begin to make our way towards Jennings Peak along the Sandwich Mountain Trail.  The Trail – like the ascent – will have its steep moments but is far less strenuous than our way up.  We arrive at a .2 mile spur - and 150 feet of climbing - that leads to the ledges of Jennings Peak at 3,440.  This short Jaunt is optional but should not be missed.  We then continue along a gradual ridge covered with mosses and continue our descent to tag Noon Peak at 2,976’.  From there we continue our descent and emerge at the cars onto Route 49 – the head of Sandwich Mountain Trail.  Total mileage for this day is 8.3 miles.

We will meet at 8:30am at the Sandwich Mountain Trail Head where we will leave behind a vehicle or two and journey to the head of the Algonquin Trail to begin the hike at 9am.  At day’s end we’ll car pool everyone back to their cars.  Anticipate a full day of hiking with an estimated finish time of 4pm to 5pm.  We might finish earlier but I’m not racing this hike and I have promised a more gradual pace, one that allows us to soak in the day and the views and experience the challenges of a great hike.  As always – early summer gear is best, two liters of water, lunch, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray and always be prepared for colder temps at the summit.  Eric and I will keep watch of the forecast – a consistent prediction of rain will cancel or reschedule.  A cool day with cloud cover – we will hike on!

From Interstate 93 take exit 28 and follow Route 49 towards Waterville Valley.  Go approximately 6 miles, maybe a little more or less.  I’ve not mile measured this distance personally, but it’s a reasonable estimation and the trail heads along 49 are very well marked.   The Sandwich Mountain Trailhead will be on the right – parking is tight hence the early start, I don’t like parking along the roads.  We’ll leave as many cars as needed behind and car pool to the head of the Algonquin Trail.  Parking is $3 dollars per vehicle at each trail head.  Bring singles so we can all share in the cost.  Hike On!!