By Peter Hope
This year is the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, the landmark conservation bill that protects nearly 110 million acres of wilderness area in the US. New Hampshire and Vermont have a number of really beautiful and unique wilderness areas that are ours to enjoy, alone or with a group of 10 or fewer. In celebration, I will be leading hikes sponsored by the Sierra Club, the Green Mountain Club (GMC), the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADC) in 15 of these this summer, usually on mondays. If interested in these or other northern New England hikes, please contact me to be put on the list for my weekly hikes.
Once again this summer, we will enjoy our local woodland walks, short Easy/Moderate excursions on trails in Eastman and the Upper Valley. On most Wednesday mornings from July to October, we’ll meet at 8 a.m. (earlier than in past years) at the Alpine Vista parking area above the dam in Eastman and carpool to the trailhead.
We hope to schedule occasional Saturday hikes to mountains in New Hampshire or Vermont. Sadly, many who have led our hikes in the past are no longer available. We need more experienced hikers to volunteer to lead. It’s a fun and rewarding way to help our Eastman community. If interested in helping out, please contact me at 863-6456 or e-mail me at phope@worldpath.net.
Dates and leader contact information for both the walks and hikes will be announced in Eastman Highlights. Because the hikes are mModerate/Strenuous, we ask that participants contact the leader in advance of the trip, so as to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
When venturing into the wild, safety should be your most important concern. All hiking requires planning and appropriate preparation. Take with you more than enough water and food. wear comfortable boots and bring layers of clothing to protect against cold or wet conditions. Pack emergency equipment, which should include an adequate first aid kit, guidebook, map and compass, headlamp, insect repellant and sunscreen. Do not rely on a GPS or a cell phone. Also, please remember that ticks are common and can carry serious disease pathogens; be sure to do a body check after any hike, especially after walking through tall grass or brush. Before leaving home, inform family or friends of your exact plans and include destination, route and expected time of return.
THE FOLLOWING “PICK” IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE NEARBY HIKES: LUCIA’S LOOKOUT, NEWBURY/ GOSHEN (NH)
Views from this rarely visited small peak are outstanding. It can be reached by a 4-mile (each way) walk on the Five Summers Trail, mostly on old logging roads, from pillsbury State Park in Washington (NH). It was on this trail that I once met a bear foraging for berries.
However, the most scenic route is longer, 5.1 miles each way, via the Andrew Brook Trail to lovely Lake Solitude, and then south on the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, which offers numerous viewpoints from its many ledges.
To reach the trailhead, drive to Newbury, via either the east or west side of Lake Sunapee. Mountain Road leaves NH 103 on the right, 0.8 miles south of the junction with NH 103-a. at 1.2 miles up this road, you will find the parking pull-off on your right at the start of Andrew Brook Trail. Later this year, plans are for a new parking lot and trailhead to be built a little below the current start of the trail to allow more adequate parking and to avoid a stream crossing.
The present route follows an old logging road to a stream crossing, then swings right as a trail and climbs, fairly gradually, with a few more stream crossings (not difficult). It then ascends through a ravine to the shore of Lake Solitude, two miles from the start. Without fail, spend some time there!
Continue right, around the end of the lake, and climb a short distance to a trail junction. Turn left on the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway Southbound. This skirts Lake Solitude and climbs gently to the Sunapee Ridge. It follows this south, with much of the route over open ledges with great views. Finally, there is a short steep climb to Lucia’s Lookout (2500’), 3.1 miles from Lake Solitude. This peak offers great views in all directions!
Total round-trip distance is 10.2 miles, with a 1500’ elevation gain. Moderate/ Strenuous due to distance.
ENJOY A WALKING/ HIKING SUMMER!
NOTE: Extensive repairs are being made to the lower half of the Andrew Brook Trail this summer. Wait until September to attempt this hike.
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