Sugarloaf Campground/Middle Sugarloaf 9/10/11
Middle Sugarloaf 2539’ in the Little River Mountains
2.8 Miles 800' Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy and Emma
Once again we stayed at Sugarloaf Campground, one of our favorite campgrounds in the White Mountains. The original plan was to stay at Dry River in Crawford Notch, another favorite, but Hurricane Irene changed those plans. We wanted to be in this area to be in place for an early start Sunday morning. Sunday was to be our second September in a row spent on Mount Carrigain for Flags on the 48. http://www.flagsonthe48.org/ We have always hiked to commemorate 9/11, but only began joining a group to carry a flag last year.
Hurricane Irene wiped out the entrance to Dry River CG making it inaccessible. My guess is it will not be completely cleaned up until next spring as there are so many more important projects after Irene, but I could be wrong. It also wiped out the bridge over Sawyer River along Rte. 302 as well, making the only access to Sawyer River Road and Mount Carrigain a trip from Twin Mountain in the west. However, the western end of the notch received little damage in comparison and things appeared normal in and around Sugarloaf CG. There was some minor damage along the Trestle Trail at the beginning of the hike to the Sugarloafs. Some of the trail was washed out beside the Zealand River, but was still easily passable.
We arrived early afternoon on Saturday and after setting up camp took a short walk over to the "Wildlife Pond", a small beaver pond near the campground. I was happy and surprised to find dozens of "Nodding Ladies Tresses" growing in the wetlands near the pond. I had never seen or photographed these native orchids before, even though they are considered the White Mountain's most common fall orchid. There was also many wisps of Cotton Grass which grew in abundance here as well.
After supper we made the short hike from the campground to the summit of Middle Sugarloaf to watch the sunset and soon after, the moonrise. We love to visit this spot as it has a magnificent view of the Presidential Range to the east and also a great view to the west for sunsets. Often the sun casts its glow on the Presidentials as it is setting, making a cold, hard place seem warm and inviting. The moonrise over the rocky summits is the icing on the cake. We have visited here often and watched many sunsets and moon rises as well as sunrises and moonsets. A lot of bang for your buck on this little hill!
Read More2.8 Miles 800' Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy and Emma
Once again we stayed at Sugarloaf Campground, one of our favorite campgrounds in the White Mountains. The original plan was to stay at Dry River in Crawford Notch, another favorite, but Hurricane Irene changed those plans. We wanted to be in this area to be in place for an early start Sunday morning. Sunday was to be our second September in a row spent on Mount Carrigain for Flags on the 48. http://www.flagsonthe48.org/ We have always hiked to commemorate 9/11, but only began joining a group to carry a flag last year.
Hurricane Irene wiped out the entrance to Dry River CG making it inaccessible. My guess is it will not be completely cleaned up until next spring as there are so many more important projects after Irene, but I could be wrong. It also wiped out the bridge over Sawyer River along Rte. 302 as well, making the only access to Sawyer River Road and Mount Carrigain a trip from Twin Mountain in the west. However, the western end of the notch received little damage in comparison and things appeared normal in and around Sugarloaf CG. There was some minor damage along the Trestle Trail at the beginning of the hike to the Sugarloafs. Some of the trail was washed out beside the Zealand River, but was still easily passable.
We arrived early afternoon on Saturday and after setting up camp took a short walk over to the "Wildlife Pond", a small beaver pond near the campground. I was happy and surprised to find dozens of "Nodding Ladies Tresses" growing in the wetlands near the pond. I had never seen or photographed these native orchids before, even though they are considered the White Mountain's most common fall orchid. There was also many wisps of Cotton Grass which grew in abundance here as well.
After supper we made the short hike from the campground to the summit of Middle Sugarloaf to watch the sunset and soon after, the moonrise. We love to visit this spot as it has a magnificent view of the Presidential Range to the east and also a great view to the west for sunsets. Often the sun casts its glow on the Presidentials as it is setting, making a cold, hard place seem warm and inviting. The moonrise over the rocky summits is the icing on the cake. We have visited here often and watched many sunsets and moon rises as well as sunrises and moonsets. A lot of bang for your buck on this little hill!
'Shrooms at Sugarloaf Campground.
