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Pride Hike on the Welch-Dickey Loop!

Pride Hike on the Welch-Dickey Loop!

Pride Hike on the Welch-Dickey Loop!

Pride Hike on the Welch-Dickey Loop!

Details

Celebrate Pride on the beautiful Welch-Dickey Loop!  This loop is one of the most popular hiking trails in New Hampshire, and it's easy to see why. Over two miles of hiking over open ledges with spectacular views make it one of the most enjoyable hikes in the White Mountains. 

Welch Mountain is 2,605 feet high, with Dickey at 2,734 feet. The hike is about 4.4 miles round trip, with a 1,800-foot elevation gain. This is considered a moderate hike, and the push to Welch Mt can be difficult for some. It takes about 3 hours to complete. Don't forget to bring a wind/rain shell, water, snacks, bug repellent, sunscreen, etc., along with whatever you typically have for a hiking excursion.  DON’T FORGET YOUR PRIDE FLAG!

The parking lot fills up quickly, so we will meet at 8:30am in hopes of grabbing spots before they are gone.  If you can carpool with others in your area, it is recommended. The Forest Service encourages a $5 day pass for this trail, which is collected via cash in an envelope.  You can read more about Forest Service Recreation Passes here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whitemountain/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5297292

After, if people are interested, we can find a place to grab lunch.  The Common Man has a Roadside Market & Deli at 484 Tenney Mountain Hwy, Plymouth, NH 03264.  There is a diverse menu and indoor and outdoor seating available.

I would encourage everyone to download the map prior to the trip.  You can find it here: AllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/new-hampshire/welch-and-dickey-loop-trail--4

Directions

The trailhead and parking area are on Orris Road in Thornton, NH. Take Exit 28 off of Rt. 93, drive 5.5 miles down Rt. 49 towards Waterville Valley and take a left on Upper Mad River Road [it’s after Smarts Brook trailhead]. After 0.7 miles, turn right onto Orris Road. The parking area is 0.6 miles down, on the right. 

Saturday, June 15, 2024
Thornton, NH · Directions
Meet at 8:30 AM
Hosted by Carl
12/15 signed up
Pride Hike on the Welch-Dickey Loop!

About this event

Celebrate Pride on the beautiful Welch-Dickey Loop!  This loop is one of the most popular hiking trails in New Hampshire, and it's easy to see why. Over two miles of hiking over open ledges with spectacular views make it one of the most enjoyable hikes in the White Mountains. 

Welch Mountain is 2,605 feet high, with Dickey at 2,734 feet. The hike is about 4.4 miles round trip, with a 1,800-foot elevation gain. This is considered a moderate hike, and the push to Welch Mt can be difficult for some. It takes about 3 hours to complete. Don't forget to bring a wind/rain shell, water, snacks, bug repellent, sunscreen, etc., along with whatever you typically have for a hiking excursion.  DON’T FORGET YOUR PRIDE FLAG!

The parking lot fills up quickly, so we will meet at 8:30am in hopes of grabbing spots before they are gone.  If you can carpool with others in your area, it is recommended. The Forest Service encourages a $5 day pass for this trail, which is collected via cash in an envelope.  You can read more about Forest Service Recreation Passes here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whitemountain/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5297292

After, if people are interested, we can find a place to grab lunch.  The Common Man has a Roadside Market & Deli at 484 Tenney Mountain Hwy, Plymouth, NH 03264.  There is a diverse menu and indoor and outdoor seating available.

I would encourage everyone to download the map prior to the trip.  You can find it here: AllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/new-hampshire/welch-and-dickey-loop-trail--4

Directions to the trailhead

Get directions
Opens turn-by-turn directions to Thornton, NH, 03285 in Google Maps (new tab).

The trailhead and parking area are on Orris Road in Thornton, NH. Take Exit 28 off of Rt. 93, drive 5.5 miles down Rt. 49 towards Waterville Valley and take a left on Upper Mad River Road [it’s after Smarts Brook trailhead]. After 0.7 miles, turn right onto Orris Road. The parking area is 0.6 miles down, on the right. 

Who's going (12)

Carl SUSTAINING
Carl
Leominster, MA
Bobcat SUSTAINING
Bobcat
Upton, MA
Mr. Magoo SUSTAINING
Mr. Magoo
West Boylston, MA
A member
Profile hidden
A member
Profile hidden
Don59 GUEST MEMBER
Don59
Townsend, MA
Southafrica2021 GUEST MEMBER
Southafrica2021
groveland, MA
dan410 GUEST MEMBER
dan410
Leominster, MA
A member
Profile hidden
A member
Profile hidden
PaceAlong GUEST MEMBER
PaceAlong
Bristol & Isla Bastimentos, Bocas del Toro, Panamá, NH
KeithES SUSTAINING
KeithES
Jamaica Plain, MA

Questions about this event?

Reach out to the host, Carl, for route details, carpooling, or what to bring.

Email the host

You can also ask in the event discussion below.

Event discussion

Bobcat · Jun 7, 2024
Hikers are welcome to attend a Pride Potluck Fest and Bonfire near Franconia after the hike. Hikers are welcome to stay overnight at the house or camp by the pond on Friday and/or Saturday night if desired. Please see separate listing for details.
Carl · Jun 12, 2024
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday! There will be rain on Friday night, but it should clear during the overnight. We will start with some clouds in the morning then we should have sunny skies by midday. Well, in theory. Please make sure you have proper footwear for hiking as there are relatively steep slabs we will be climbing. This is a moderate (not easy) hike, so be thoughtful when preparing your gear and packing your hydration and any snacks.
Carl · Jun 12, 2024
Just a reminder: if you can't attend the Welch-Dickey hike on Saturday, please update your RSVP on GO. Having said that, if you're on the wait-list please feel free to join us! We will be starting on the trail at 8:45am sharp, doing the loop counter-clockwise.
Carl · Jun 12, 2024
After this hike, Bob has offered to host a Pride Potluck at his house in Sugar Hill, about 45 minutes north of Welch-Dickey. You are welcome to reach out to him about staying there on Friday and/or Saturday night, or just joining the group for food after the hike. Please RSVP for that event separately on the GO site so he has a headcount.

I will see everyone on Saturday!
-Carl

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