Mt Roberts Loop Hike

On Saturday, December 10th, six of us (Michael, Markus, Andrew, Kevin, Gary and myself) met up at the Castle in the Clouds trailhead at the end of the Ossipee Park Road (just past the beautiful gatehouse and Lee family cemetery).  Initially, it was just four of us, but Kevin and Gary showed up with Sonny just as we had decided to head out. 

It was about 9:20AM and it was overcast, but clearing, with a definite chill in the air.  We headed down the road towards the property stables and turned onto the Mt. Roberts trail.  The trail followed old logging/carriage roads until we reached the more rocky ledges that make up the trail.  This was mostly easy-going with only modest grades...even as we reached the more rocky sections of the trail.  Having taken our time we still reached the first of many views along this ridge at about 10AM...this ledge was along a short spur trail and offered nice views to the west and southward to Lake Winnipesaukee (and Gunstock Mountain).  At this point there was remnants of the past week's snow storm.  We took in the view and continued ascending the main trail.  Shortly after this we reached the more open rocky ridge with some views off ledges to the west, but more and more the prominent views with eastward to the rest of the Ossipee Mountains and down over the lake.  By this point blue skies were overtaking the clouds and it was turning out to be a beautiful day.  At about 10:40 we passed the last of the open ledges as the trail turned into the woods on its final leg towards the summit.  It didn't take too long before we reached the summit of Mt. Roberts with its open views northward into the White Mountains.

By this time we could feel the cold front passing over the area, as the air became significantly colder.  We descended off of the summit back into the trees, where the trail turned into the High Ridge Trail.  This was also a wide trail, which had been old logging/carriage roads.  It was easy going along the ridge with no significant views until we reached the area around Mt. Faraway.  Just before this we had passed by a roped off road, where old pieces of logging equipment still laid in the woods.  The view was very nice looking down upon Lake Winnipesaukee and Castle in the Clouds.  Here we ran into a number of other folks and we chatted a bit.  The descent off of Faraway continued along the old woods roads...via a series of switchbacks.  We reached the junction with the Faraway Trail at about noon.  We continued along the ridge for a short distance looking for an outlook to have lunch on.  Not finding one we backtracked to the trail junction and started down.  We ended up having lunch a short time later trailside at an area where it was moderately rocky with drier leafy areas (to sit).  Lunchtime was short, since we quickly got cold.  We continued down the trail, switching over to the Cold Spring Trail.  This descended fairly quickly becoming a paved road about 0.5 mile from the trailhead.  We made it back to the parking lot at about 2:30PM.  Most of the guys had plans for the evening, so they took off.  Andrew and I decided to walk up to the Castle in the Clouds to check it out, since neither of us had ever been there.  The estate was gorgeous, but parts of it were boarded up for the season.  Still the views were amazing!

Thanks to Michael, Markus Andrew, Kevin and Gary for coming out and sharing this hike with me.  It was a wonderful day with, of course, a great group of guys.  This was a nice moderate trail and is highly recommended.  Everyone did really well, despite the chill.  Happy holidays and see you all on the trails in 2012!!

Join me for this moderate hike through the southern Ossipee Region looping around Mt. Roberts (2582') and the High Ridge Trail.  The hike offers numerous ledges and open views into the surrounding region as well as views northward to the the White Mountains.  There are also a couple of picturesque ponds, which we will pass through the day.  The total distance will be approximately 8.6 miles with about 1410 feet of elevation gain.  The plan is to take the Mt. Roberts Trail to the High Ridge Trail and descend by way of the Oak Ridge Cut-Off.  NOTE:  There are several options to shorten the hike towards the end, if the amount of daylight or the stamina of the group diminishes.  It should be fairly easy to cover the stated distance in a timely manner though.  The hike should be done by 4PM.  We'll grab dinner/drinks locally afterwards (Meredith or Moultonboro), if there is sufficient interest.  Typical fall/winter hiking gear should be appropriate:  convertible hiking pants, good sturdy hiking boots with thick socks and layered, non-cotton clothing.  The summit, ridge and exposed ledges may be particularly cold this time of year.  You may also want to pack traction (e.g. microspikes), if the weather suggests it, although the trails are not very steep.  What to bring along:  Bring along lunch, snacks, plenty of water and anything else you may require for a day hike.