Hi folks!
First off, it feels really good to be sitting here with my laptop writing another blog post. I’ve missed blogging even more than I was consciously aware of. Having started blogging originally back in early high school, it just feels like a part of me at this point. Something that feeds my creative side, and is a good space to get my thoughts out.
Yesterday I did a hike towards NH redlining, and with the amount of people I saw driving across the Kanc, I’m VERY happy with this decision. Living up North has been a little weird this year (as there are more people than usual), it’s great being so close but then on occasion it is full-blown bombardment of all the humans. But, what will be will be.
The hike: Hancock Notch Trail to Sawyer River Trail
Miles: 9.5
Vert: ~1,000 (according to my Garmin watch)
This hike was decided on the evening beforehand, with the goal of a “flat-ish redline hike”. Most definitely fit the bill. While I was a bit apprehensive about the Hancock Notch Trail after hearing some less than stellar reports of it, I knew that 1. at some point I would hike the trail, 2. it would be beautiful right now with foliage, 3. I had good company, and 4. to just go for it because the more I’ve been pushing myself lately from a comfort zone perspective the more fulfilled I feel.
And, you know what? I had a blast. This is what will always bring me back to hiking, trail running, and the mountains – the pure joy.
This hike was done as a traverse as I hiked it with my friend Lindsey’s dad, Bruce, and therefore had two cars. I definitely recommend getting these two trails this way if you are able to do so! We started from the Hancock Notch Trailhead just after 8:30am (after a 0.5 mile walk along the Kanc as we decided to park in a pull off vs. in the very much overflowing parking lot). Having hiked the NH 48, I had already hiked the first section of this trail, up until the first junction where I’ve previously always then taken Cedar Brook Trail.
Fun story: a couple years ago, I was set to hike the Hancock’s for my first round of the 48 with another friend and we accidently took the Notch Trail at the junction mentioned above… well, being Winter, we realized about a mile or so later that we made a mistake as we were significantly postholing and starting to go down vs up. Lesson learned. Every time I pass this junction I remember that hike and just laugh at myself a little.
Back to yesterday… From the junction, the trail has a gentle climb for a short bit, about a mile, before dropping into the Notch. From this point, you are able to see Mt. Huntington through the trees off to the right. The trail at this point begins to get a bit more rugged – adding in some mossy rocks, some water, and more technical footing.
Knowing this trail is typically on the wet side, this was a good time to hike it with the current drought situation. Not happy about the drought, but happy about the trail not being an actual stream. Although there were sections after the Notch which resembled more stream than trail.
The trail meanders along Sawyer River, crossing it a few times. Yesterday all of the crossings were easy, but I can see where at least two of them could be more challenging with high water levels. Perhaps not the best Spring hike.
After the Notch is when we really began seeing some of the damage from Irene, the most significant being the final crossing before the junction with Sawyer River Trail. I’ve never seen erosion and damage to this degree and we hung out at the crossing just observing for a couple minutes. One question was: where did all the sand go?
From the junction, Sawyer River Trail is very mellow. In some spots you can really notice that it was an old railroad bed based on the terrain. This is one aspect of hiking I’m really enjoying this summer – learning more about the history behind these trails. While I’ve been hiking for years, I’m just really starting to learn more about what went into them and what was here before. My friend Katie has a couple books on the history of the White Mountains that she sent me the titles of and I’m looking forward to reading.
After the flat walk out on Sawyer River to the car we decided to head on over and hike Church Pond Trail (and took the abandoned trail back – fun adventure to end the day!).
These new (to me) trails have been very fun and are changing things up a bit. Hiking just the 48, from the same trails, well it was getting old. After June’s single month 48 I felt a little burnt out on hiking which was a major sign for me that I needed to pivot, because I LOVE hiking and it’s such an integral part of my life at this point. The new trails help. Just being on a trail and not needing to even summit anything helps.
“I’d rather look back at my life and know that I was brave instead of calculated.”
Joy Williams