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Important Notice About the Ossipee Mountains and Trail Access (Updated July 23, 2010) |
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
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.
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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
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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