Overnight on Doublehead

My blog post for these early winter days is one in which I will let readers see why I so enjoy the "View from the Original Cheap Seats".

Recently I stayed overnight with friends in a Civilian Conservation Corps cabin built in the mid-1930's on the summit of North Doublehead Mountain.

It wasn't the first, nor will it be the last time, I have hiked there for a relaxing weekend overnight getaway.

Doublehead Mountain is a relatively small mountain (North Doublehead 3050 ft., South Doublehead 2938 ft.) off the beaten path of the more famous Appalachian Trail and the Mt. Washington/Presidential Range to the North.

View of Presidential Range

It is located in Jackson, NH, 3 miles north of North Conway on Rt. 16.  The name Doublehead refers to the two distinct, trail connected peaks of the mountain which are separated by a very steep incline and a level saddle area.  There are two trails to the North summit, the Ski Trail and the Old Trail. These two trails are connected to a third trail from the south, the New Trail, which starts at the base of the mountain about 500 yards from the Ski Trail.  

Beginning in the small parking area, the Ski Trail is a 1.8 mile, moderate to difficult hike to the top, while the Old Trail also summits North Doublehead 0.9 miles after diverging right a half mile into the Ski Trail and going up the steeper part of the mountain.  The Old Trail connects in the saddle between the peaks to the New Trail, which ascends from the south side of the mountain (1.3 miles to South summit, 1.7 to North) on a moderate to somewhat difficult trail.  The New Trail summits South Doublehead first, then descends, passing a gorgeous cliff top lookout west over Jackson to Mt. Washington, then connects with the Old Trail and climbs rather steeply to the cabin.

Inspiration for "View from the Cheap Seats"

It is a mainly wooded mountain with three exceptions: the view west from the open cliffs near the summit of South Doublehead, the view west from the Civilian Conservation Corps cabin on North Doublehead, as well as the partial view to the east from what we Cheap Seaters have dubbed "the back porch" near the cabin.  On clear nights one can see the lights of Portland, Maine on the coast.

Tuckerman Ravine (L), Mt. Washington (C), Huntington Ravine (far right)

I hope readers have the chance to do a day hike sometime, perhaps doing a loop up the various trails to maximize the views, or even have an overnight adventure in the cabin.

Sunset over Mt. Washington Range

Be forewarned, there is no water on the trail or at the cabin, with the cabin being heated by whatever dead wood can be gathered and burned in the small wood-stove.  

Enjoy.

Written by: Brian Markee

Wauchipauka Pond / Webster Cliff Trails from Glencliff, New Hampshire

White Trilliums, a welcome sign of spring.

As winter finally makes its exit from New Hamphsire, my next hiking blog is one of a trail that I have done in spring many times over the past 20 years.   I will warn you, later in the spring is probably the most enjoyable time for this hike as the ground has mostly dried and the flying bugs haven’t yet become the bane of all who pass.

Starting from the large parking area on Route 25 in Glencliff, NH (8.5 miles east of the RT. 10/RT. 25 junction in Haverhill, NH) and heading south on the Appalachian Trail, the flat trail follows along the base of a small mountain (Wyatt Hill) for approximately ¼ mile before turning sharply right and climbing steeply and diagonally across the incline.  Along this part of the path are a few rocky outposts that have limited wooded views of the area below and to the north.  The steep climb is approximately ¾ of a mile, then the trail levels a bit. You will walk another 1/4 mile before reaching the height of the land, which is marked by a large, split rock.  Here you begin a slow descent through the hardwoods towards Wauchipauka Pond.  As you get lower in elevation and closer to the pond, Webster Cliff becomes visible, the path gets soggy, and the trail hugs the cliffs base staying above the sometimes murky and damp lowlands.  This area is the reason I like to wait until the snow is mostly gone from the woods.  At the base of the main cliff, a nearly hidden side trail veers off to the left of the trail and follows the ponds edge until coming to a wonderful camping spot on a prominent peninsula with fine views across the pond (really more of a lake in size).  If you miss the side trail, bushwacking to that point is easy to do.

Lady slippers on this trail are abundant.

Continuing along the Appalachian Trail above the pond, you start back uphill and cross an old logging road at  2.3 miles where the Webster Cliff Trail bears to the right with the Appalachian Trail continuing on towards  RT. 25A and Mt. Cube.

The Webster Cliff Trail (0.7 miles in all) is fairly rugged and quite steep for nearly a half mile, but has some really wonderful woodland flower beds and  random wildflowers, along with some other friends that would probably rather stay invisible.

Little froggie friend.

More beautiful lady slippers.

The trail levels out and after a short flat walk through scrub, you emerge to a superb lookout to the south of Wauchipauka Pond, Warren, Wentworth and on to Mt. Carr in the distance.

Looking down at the Wauchipauka Pond from Webster Cliff.

The round trip hike to the cliff is 6.0 miles and can be done easily during these longer and much warmer days.  I like to bring a hearty lunch for my stay at the top of the cliff. I hope you can venture out there as well.

Enjoy.  

Written by Brian Markee