Welch-Dickey Hike

Last Sunday Don, Brian, Mark and Chris hiked Welch-Dickey. The hike was orignally scheduled for Saturday, but due to the rain forcasted I postponed it til Sunday. As Don and I drove up from greater Boston Sunday morning to the trailhead we encountered starting in Boston.  We were hoping it would clear up before we got to the trailhead. Lucky for us it did right after Concord. When we got to the trailhead we encountered a very rare thing - an almost empty parking area. The combination of the rain to the south and it being Mother's Day not many people were out hiking.  Don and I hike the Welch-Dickey every spring, Brian hadn't climbed it in awhile and it was Mark's first time. We had great weather, partly sunny skies and in the upper 50's. We did the usual loop up Welch first and over to Dickey afterward. We stopped at the first overlook on the way up to Welch to take in the great views including a small bit of Lake Winnepausaukee to the south. We continued hiking up Welch and when we got to the slide, the rain the day before did not affect the slide we all had no problems traversing it (even Chris in his Vibram Five Fingers and Don in his Huaraches). After taking a quick break to admire the view from the top of Welch, we proceded over to Dickey. After we summited Dickey we bushwacked over the scenic overlook for lunch. This spot was the one place on the hike that we encountered a cool gusty breezes, so we went down a bit and had lunch, took in the sun that was now out. On the way back down we stoped at the ledges on Dickey and did more basking in the sun.  When we got back to the parking lot we saw a few more cars when we started. During the hike only encountered about 4 people, which for a Sunday in May is a nice and welcome surprise. 

Due to rain forecast on  Saturday the hike is moved to the same time on Sunday.

Join Don and myself as we hike Welch-Dickey. The hike is 4 1/2 miles long with 1850 feet of elevation gain.  This trip is one of our favorite hikes in the White Mountains.  The hike showcases everything the White Mountains have to offer:  steep slopes, open ledges, a rocky scramble, woodland trails, but all in moderation.  The spectacular views make this hike very rewarding for such a modest effort.  We’ll be having lunch along the hike. Dress appropriately for early May weather in the White Mountains; bring a windbreaker/raingear (just in case).  Also bring along lunch, snacks and water.  Please no dogs on this hike.