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|
Sentinel Mountain, Mt. Flagg, Mt. Shaw, Black Snoot, Big Ball Mountain
Ossipee, NH, Moultonboro, NH, Tuftonboro, NH
Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up Mountain Trail
Route: Mountain Trail, (Sentinel Mountain), unknown trail, Dave Green Trail, Canaan Mountain Trail, Mt. Flagg Trail, (Mt. Flagg), Gorilla Trail, (Mt. Shaw), High Ridge Trail, herd path, Black Snout Trail, Black Snout Spur, (Black Snoot), Black Snout Spur, Big Ball Mountain/Banana Trail, (Big Ball Mountain), Big Ball Mountain/Banana Trail
Today was the day for the big Ossipee group hike. While the weather forecast looked bad, the radar the morning of seemed more encouraging.
After watching a moose for about 15 minutes at McDuffee Road, we made our way over to Terrace Pines for the ascent up Sentinel Mountain. It was a bit surprising to encounter a muddy, freshly reclaimed logging road just prior to where the Mountain Trail heads up into the woods. Fortunately, the trail was marked with some new metalic disc blazes where it entered the woods.
The views from the top of Sentinel Mountain were decent, considering the weather. While areas to the south, north, and east were all experiencing low clouds/fog, some clearer skies seemed to be approaching from the southwest.
The next stop was Mt. Flagg. While the Canaan Mountain Trail wasn't overly wet, the Mt. Flagg Trail was a bit wet from the trail junction to the top of the ridge. From there, it was pretty good going (under blue skies!) to the southern viewpoint. There, I dropped my pack and jogged over to the summit, then back, expecting to take a break at the southern viewpoint. Since it was fairly windy there at this point, it seemed more logical to keep going.
The Gorilla Trail was in pretty good shape - and was quite colorful with the variety of white birch trees and still-green grass.
The views from Mt. Shaw were tremendous. While points to the east and northeast were fairly clear, the peaks to the north and northwest appeared to be getting some snowfall. After a short lunch break, we made our way down to Black Snoot from some lake views.
Next, we headed down the Banana Trail to Big Ball Mountain. Though the ledges were windy, the lower elevation resulted in the temperatures being more favorable. The views from here, like the other peaks, were tremendous.
The last portion of the Banana Trail was rather slippery, as the combination of days of rain and a fall's worth of leaves on the ground didn't go to well together.
Nonetheless, despite the poor forecast, the hike ended up being worthwhile and quite scenic.
| Hike Ratings |
|
Getting To Trailhead: |
Easy |
| Destination: |
Sentinel Mountain |
|
Length: |
Moderate |
|
Steepness: |
Difficult |
|
Navigation: |
Moderate |
|
Views: |
Excellent |
|
Crowds: |
Heavy |
| Destination: |
Mt. Flagg |
|
Length: |
Moderate |
|
Steepness: |
Difficult |
|
Navigation: |
Easy |
|
Views: |
Excellent |
|
Crowds: |
Heavy |
| Destination: |
Mt. Shaw |
|
Length: |
Moderate |
|
Steepness: |
Difficult |
|
Navigation: |
Easy |
|
Views: |
Excellent |
|
Crowds: |
Heavy |
| Destination: |
Black Snoot |
|
Length: |
Moderate |
|
Steepness: |
Easy |
|
Navigation: |
Easy |
|
Views: |
Excellent |
|
Crowds: |
Heavy |
| Destination: |
Big Ball Mountain |
|
Length: |
Moderate |
|
Steepness: |
Difficult |
|
Navigation: |
Easy |
|
Views: |
Excellent |
|
Crowds: |
Heavy |
|
| Hike Stats |
|
Date Hiked: |
Sunday, November 16, 2008 |
| Hike Commenced: |
8:41 AM |
| Parking Elevation: |
885' |
| Destination: |
Sentinel Mountain |
| Ascent Commenced: |
8:41 AM |
| Summit Reached: |
9:09 AM |
| Time Elapsed: |
00:28 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
890' |
| Summit Elevation: |
1,680' |
| Vertical Gain: |
805' |
| Destination: |
Mt. Flagg |
| Ascent Commenced: |
9:19 AM |
| Summit Reached: |
10:55 AM |
| Time Elapsed: |
01:36 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
1,680' |
| Summit Elevation: |
2,390' |
| Vertical Gain: |
1,150' |
| Destination: |
Mt.Shaw |
| Ascent Commenced: |
11:14 AM |
| Summit Reached: |
12:07 PM |
| Time Elapsed: |
00:53 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
2,390' |
| Summit Elevation: |
2,990' |
| Vertical Gain: |
800' |
| Destination: |
Black Snoot |
| Ascent Commenced: |
12:26 PM |
| Summit Reached: |
12:42 PM |
| Time Elapsed: |
00:16 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
2,990' |
| Summit Elevation: |
2,803' |
| Vertical Gain: |
98' |
| Destination: |
Big Ball Mountain |
| Ascent Commenced: |
12:48 PM |
| Summit Reached: |
1:34 PM |
| Time Elapsed: |
00:46 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
2,803' |
| Summit Elevation: |
2,060' |
| Vertical Gain: |
160' |
|
|
| Hike Ended: |
2:44 PM |
| Hike Time Elapsed: |
06:03 |
| Hike Vertical Gain: |
3,183' |
|
A bull moose posing near the McDuffee-Canaan Road junction
The Mountain Trail trailhead
Looking at Lake Winnipesaukee (in the distance under the clouds) from the ledges of Sentinel Mountain
Looking up the Mt. Flagg Trail
Looking at the northern Ossipees and the Sandwich Range from the summit of Mt. Flagg
Looking up the Gorilla Trail on the way to Mt. Shaw
Looking at Pleasant Mountain from the summit of Mt. Shaw
Looking up the Black Snout Spur Trail
Looking at the Belknaps from near the summit of Black Snoot
Looking up the Banana Trail on the way to Big Ball Mountain
Looking at Black Snoot from Big Ball Mountain
Directions to trailhead: From Route 16 South in West Ossipee, take a left onto Old NH 16. After crossing under Route 16, take a right onto Folsom Road. Once in Center Ossipee, take a right onto Moultonville Road. A few minutes later, take a right onto Valley Road. Look for the entrance to Terrace Pines Campground, which will be on the right when Valley Road forks. Shortly down this road, take a right (immediately before a sign for the office). There is limited room for parking in front of the gate - do not block the gate. The Mountain Trail starts a few dozen feet beyond the gate, on the left. The Big Ball Mountain Trail (Banana Trail) ends on McDuffee Road. There is limited room to park along Canaan Road junction.
Back to Sentinel Mountain Profile
Back to Mt. Flagg Profile
Back to Mt. Shaw Profile
Back to Black Snoot Profile
Back to Big Ball Mountain Profile
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