Oliverian Brook, Passaconaway Cutoff, Walden Trail;
9.8 Miles - Oliverian Brook trailhead off the Kanc
Solo overnight this past weekend, conquering the elusive Passaconaway added the 14th notch to my imaginary hiking belt. Left work @ 6pm Friday, boots on the trail by 8. Hiking in the dark gave “stealth camping” a whole new meaning for me, set up camp maybe a mile in next to the brook. Brought the wife’s Nook with me (awesome), fell asleep reading with any noise drowned out by gurgling water at my feet.
Woke up with sunlight Saturday morning, on the trail by 7am! The Sandwich Range is a peaceful place early in the morning. For a while the only noise was my own footsteps, splashes and frantic swimming broke the silence as I walked past a family of beavers, spooked em good just walking past.
Oliverian Brook trail was flat and inviting, well maintained trail hugs the brook off & on, no serious hiking till I met the cutoff. The cutoff is definitely an incline but very gradual, nothing I couldn’t handle if I was in shape. Unfortunately for me, minor repairs on a new home does not build leg muscles, Passaconaway had me wishing I stayed home the higher the sun got in the sky.
After the cutoff the Walden trail takes you up to the summit, a mix of gradual inclines and flat walking as you round the mountain and assault from the south. Although technically a wooded summit, I found excellent views both on the trail and closer to the top. There’s a sign that just says “view” close to the summit, walking down about 5 minutes to a northern outlook was well worth it.
Left the summit area around 11am, made it back to ManchVegas for 3:45! Proud to see myself back on the trail, happy to clear 10 miles and still have an afternoon left.
9.8 Miles - Oliverian Brook trailhead off the Kanc
Solo overnight this past weekend, conquering the elusive Passaconaway added the 14th notch to my imaginary hiking belt. Left work @ 6pm Friday, boots on the trail by 8. Hiking in the dark gave “stealth camping” a whole new meaning for me, set up camp maybe a mile in next to the brook. Brought the wife’s Nook with me (awesome), fell asleep reading with any noise drowned out by gurgling water at my feet.
Woke up with sunlight Saturday morning, on the trail by 7am! The Sandwich Range is a peaceful place early in the morning. For a while the only noise was my own footsteps, splashes and frantic swimming broke the silence as I walked past a family of beavers, spooked em good just walking past.
Oliverian Brook trail was flat and inviting, well maintained trail hugs the brook off & on, no serious hiking till I met the cutoff. The cutoff is definitely an incline but very gradual, nothing I couldn’t handle if I was in shape. Unfortunately for me, minor repairs on a new home does not build leg muscles, Passaconaway had me wishing I stayed home the higher the sun got in the sky.
After the cutoff the Walden trail takes you up to the summit, a mix of gradual inclines and flat walking as you round the mountain and assault from the south. Although technically a wooded summit, I found excellent views both on the trail and closer to the top. There’s a sign that just says “view” close to the summit, walking down about 5 minutes to a northern outlook was well worth it.
Left the summit area around 11am, made it back to ManchVegas for 3:45! Proud to see myself back on the trail, happy to clear 10 miles and still have an afternoon left.
