Bear Brook State Park

Got the day-off for Columbus Day & Zelda needs to get in shape for her hiking season, so we did some light warm-ups this morning at Bear Brook not far from the house. Used a small trail off the main parking lot nearest rt28 in Allenstown.

Wasn't sure what we were looking at this morning, last time I was here 2 years ago a bridge into the main trails had collapsed, allowing for limited access to the NW corner of the park. Apparently stimulus dollars are hard at work in NH, cause the bridge looks like it was recently rebuilt, albeit an ugly replacement. Was able to hike portions of Catamount Hill and checked out some of the logging they're doing over there. Not sure what good cutting down trees are doing for the environment of the park, but that argument is for another day I suppose, just good to be out on the trails with Zelda.  I've cut my schedule down to hiking something big every two weeks, mainly due to a recurring knee injury I need to get checked out, but hopefully I can still squeeze in little warm-ups like this in between the big hikes. I'll be back to Bear Brook with snowshoes in a few months, good to check the layout now before the snow falls.

Mt Hale 4055'

8.7 miles, Hale Brook, Lend a Hand, Twin Way, Zealand Trail,
finally ending on Zealand Road. Trailhead 2.5 miles from 302

Stretched a beatiful dayhike into an overnight camping trip last weekend, hiked Mt Hale, then past Zealand Hut & Zealand Falls, camped off trail past Zealand Pond.

Great scenery with weather to match, met up with 3 friends at the trailhead on Zealand Road about 11am, started on Hale Brook shortly after. Heavy rain all week meant we were in for some interesting water
crossings, and had several rock hops on our way up to the summit. The summit of Mt Hale is wooded, but a large pile of rocks at the summit clearing offered limited views. Cold mountain air reminded us this wasn't a summer hike, so after a short break and a snack, we were back on the move toward Zealand hut.

The wilderness south of Mt. Hale is really pretty in the fall, felt like we were walking through someone's garden the entire time. Wet trails all day after 4 days of rain, but great maintenance on all trails, not one blowdown to speak of. After the Lend-A-Hand trail, we met up with the AT and the Zealand Hut shortly after. I may have undervalued the huts on my adventures thus far. Warm soup & fresh bread on a cold Saturday was one of the high points last weekend, plans were immediatley made to return.

After a light lunch we were climbing on and around Zealand Falls, roaring out last weeks rainfall next to some excellent views of Crawford Notch. Fall foliage is in full force right now, making an already scenic hike into something truly memorable. Easy grades from the falls down to Zealand Pond were a great way to relax after an agressive hiking season. Once we found our campsite the fire was built and Gin was flowing in no time at all.

The next day a short hike to Zealand road then a small roadwalk to our cars was a gave an endcap to a great adventure with good friends, two of which survived the Krypteia back in August. Made it home in time for a late football game and dinner with my wife & parents, Fall be an awesome time to hike in the Whites.