Pride Hike on the Welch-Dickey Loop!

What a great day in the White Mountain National Forest! Thirteen GO members met up for this wonderful loop on Welch-Dickey. Everyone was there on time and in good spirits, which set the day off to a great start. The group was a fun mix of guys which led to interesting and humorous conversations throughout the morning. As we started climbing the slabs, first on Welch then on Dickey, we slowed our pace to make sure safety was paramount. The views were clear and spectacular throughout the day. There was a handsome Ranger from the National Forest that we chatted with a couple times throughout the day, most notably when he watched with a grin as about a half dozen of us missed a left turn at a cairn and had to backtrack 50’ to the trail. Overall, it was a great day of reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones. After, a few guys joined Bob after the hike for food and Pride cake. Many thanks to Ibrahim for being one rockstar sweeper! And a heartfelt shout-out to Dan who saw the blazes a couple times when this Trip Leader sure as heck didn't. :) Happy Pride, everyone!

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