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Trip Log
About
Moultonborough, NH
Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking down the Red Hill Trail
In hopes of exercising while still taking it easy on my sore back/hip, I decided to give Red Hill a try. Surprisingly I was the first person in the parking lot - somewhat odd for the middle of a sunny morning.
Shortly after crossing the bridge on the Red Hill Trail, I saw a big deer - unfortunately I didn't notice it (due to the loud crunching of granular by my snowshoes) until it had already crossed the trail, but it was still a neat sight.
Arriving at the summit, the views were excellent to the north and east, and limited to the south and west (incoming snow flurries). I was unable to get up past the first flight of stairs on the firetower, as the steps were covered with about an inch of solid ice. I could I taken my chances with my Stablicers, however I was satisfied with the views from the first stair landing.
On the way down I decided to try the loop trail - something I had been meaning to try for a long time but never got around to. It probably wasn't the greatest idea breaking a trail with a sore hip/back, but whatever.
The first part of the Red Hill Loop Trail, which breaks off from the Red Hill Trail a few minutes after the Eagle Cliff Trail departs, is a nice departure from the regular trail - it dips down before arriving at a nice ledgy viewpoint. At this point I lost the trail - I was the first person down it in awhile apparently and the blazes weren't obvious at vast ledgy area. Perhaps if I had backtracked I would have found the trail, however I didn't have the patience. Instead, I tried to bushwack toward the trail a bit, before changing course and decided to head down to the snowmobile trail. Shortly after starting this bushwack, I came across an inactive logging road. I followed this somewhat steep trail (compared to the Red Hill Trail) down to the snowmobile trail/last leg of the Red Hill Loop Trail. With the leaves down, I found my route to be more enjoyable and scenic than the traditional trail - perhaps I will have to try it again!
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Red Hill Trail trailhead
Looking northeast at Mt. Chocorua from the Red Hill fire tower
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