Mts. Major/Straightback Blueberry Hike

Thank you everyone for a wonderful stroll in the Belknaps! Mark and I had a fun blue sky day with you. It was a great pleasure to meet a few of you for the first time, too. We hope to see you all on other GO adventures.

Here is how our hike went...

Eleven of us met at the Mt. Major parking lot for the start. The lot was full for parking so we needed to resort to parking on the side of the highway. We waited 15 minutes for two more hikers who did not show so we started without them at 11:15.

We followed the Boulder Trail at a casual pace. This trail was a moderate incline at first, than the trail meandered through a field of glacial erratics which were tricky to climb over. Nearing the summit the trail turned onto ledges with decent views of Alton Bay than it terminated on the well exposed summit cone of Mount Major. Many of the guys seemed to enjoy the adventure the rocks gave us on the trail. We arrived just around 12:30.

At the Mount Major summit we at a short lunch sheltered from the wind in a partially dismantled stone summit lookout. Outstanding and clear views were had with just over half of Lake Winnipesaukee, the Ossipee Mountains, and the southern ranges of the White Mountains in view. There were many other people dispersed throughout the area. We had a pleasant surprise when one of the guys we waited for showed up from the main trail exhausted. He explained his lateness was due to turning around on the way than later determining he was going the right way the first time. After a half hour lunch we packed up and headed to Mount Straightback.

The trail from Mount Major to Mount Straightback was quite windy, but refreshing with the high noon heat beating on us. It was an easy walk across ledge which led into the more wooded col between the peaks. As we began the gradual ascent to Mount Straightback the trail became more pleasant and natural since very few people hike it.

We eventually made it to the Mount Straightback summit where we began our blueberry picking. The summit was an old berry farm years ago and has been slowly growing in with trees between the rocky berry patches. It offered views to the south and west. We sunbathed (sunburned), socialized, and picked berries for about an hour and a half.

Our decent started by backtracking just over a half mile to the Brook Trail junction. We than followed this trail down to the parking area. The trail was gradual and somewhat rocky with gravel and stones. Amazingly, with all the people hiking the mountain that day, our group did not pass a single person on the way down except near the very end. We ended at the parking lot just around 5pm..

After the hike all but one of us drove to The Johnson’s Dairy Bar in New Durham where we ordered takeout hot dogs, seafood, and ice cream. We ate at the pick nick tables in front and socialized for a while before departing for the day.

That was the end of another great GO adventure!

Mt. Major and Mt. Straightback Blueberry Picking Hike

Come for a walk up Mount Major and Mount Straightback in Alton, NH for some blueberry picking. This will be a social and casual hike. The trip is easy to moderate with an elevation gain of about 1350 feet and a distance of about 5.5 miles.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance: 5.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1350 feet
Hiking Pace: Casual
Start time:  11:00am

The Region

These mountains are within the Belknap Mountain Range nestled on the southern shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. Mount Major (1786 feet) is a very popular destination for many who visit the lakes region. It has a relatively exposed summit and offers the best views of Lake Winnipesaukee compared to any other hill in the area. There will be many hikers on the trails for Mt. Major, but we will also hike to Mt. Straightback where very few visit. Mt. Straightback (1890 feet) is higher than Mt. Major with a view only to the south and west. It is less exposed. A little known secret is this mountain was a working blueberry farm in the 1900s. With it having secluded and sunbathed slopes it can boast the best wild blueberry picking around.

The Hike

We will begin at the Mt. Major trailhead parking lot off of NH Route 11. We will ascend using the Boulder Trail to the summit of Mt. Major. There will be a boulder field towards the top of this trail which may be tricky and a little steep for a few hundred yards. Once we have a lunch at the summit we will follow the easy Straightback-Major Link to Mt. Straightback for some blueberry picking. On our return we will follow the gradual Brook Trail back to the parking lot.

What to Bring

Sturdy boots are encouraged for the loose rock on the trail.  Bring plenty of water and a lunch.

Notes

We will have a short lunch on Mt. Major.
Plan to spend some time on Mt. Straightback for blueberry picking.
Be prepared for very strong winds on Mt. Major because of thermals formed by the nearby lake.  
This is a dog friendly hike.
More information will be emailed to participating members a few days before the hike.