Sugarloafs 10-1-20
North Sugarloaf 2310’ and Middle Sugarloaf 2539’ in the Little River Mountains
3.4 Miles 1000’ Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy and Wicket
Amazing to us, we had not been to these small but favorite hills in over five years. We had lost count of how many times we had been up and down them.
In years past we would often hike them multiple times on stays at the Sugarloaf Campground. In those days we were always led by a little black dog, Emma, who was all too eager to lead us over mountain tops.
On our last hike here in 2015 we were still mourning her loss over two years before. The hike was bittersweet and left us both with many tears and a flood of memories.
On that hike I had just about reached my limit of what I could take for pain. My right hip had been deteriorating rapidly, and was almost fused in place. A little over a month later I would have a total hip replacement.
At that time we had not really considered getting another dog, but little over a year later we did just that.
The first year with her progressed slowly with short walks and little elevation gain, getting her ready for more difficult and longer hikes which we wished to return to.
We did not want to push her too much, and wanted her bone plates to mature before we set out for higher summits.
By Wicket's second summer we had begun to hike her through the NH 4000 Footers, and the smaller hills like these were put aside for the time being.
When she finally completed her 4K list a week previous to this hike on a 19 mile 5 peak Zealand Bond Traverse, I had promised myself and Wicket and Judy that we would return to some smaller, favorite hikes.
So, here we were again, returning to one of our favorite places we would frequent with Emma. This time Wicket led us, first to North Sugarloaf, then back down to the col between and then back up again to Middle Sugarloaf.
Despite it being a Thursday and a weekday, we saw more people on this short hike than we had the week before in 19 miles crossing the Bonds.
The "New Normal" for the White Mountains, I guess...
Read More3.4 Miles 1000’ Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy and Wicket
Amazing to us, we had not been to these small but favorite hills in over five years. We had lost count of how many times we had been up and down them.
In years past we would often hike them multiple times on stays at the Sugarloaf Campground. In those days we were always led by a little black dog, Emma, who was all too eager to lead us over mountain tops.
On our last hike here in 2015 we were still mourning her loss over two years before. The hike was bittersweet and left us both with many tears and a flood of memories.
On that hike I had just about reached my limit of what I could take for pain. My right hip had been deteriorating rapidly, and was almost fused in place. A little over a month later I would have a total hip replacement.
At that time we had not really considered getting another dog, but little over a year later we did just that.
The first year with her progressed slowly with short walks and little elevation gain, getting her ready for more difficult and longer hikes which we wished to return to.
We did not want to push her too much, and wanted her bone plates to mature before we set out for higher summits.
By Wicket's second summer we had begun to hike her through the NH 4000 Footers, and the smaller hills like these were put aside for the time being.
When she finally completed her 4K list a week previous to this hike on a 19 mile 5 peak Zealand Bond Traverse, I had promised myself and Wicket and Judy that we would return to some smaller, favorite hikes.
So, here we were again, returning to one of our favorite places we would frequent with Emma. This time Wicket led us, first to North Sugarloaf, then back down to the col between and then back up again to Middle Sugarloaf.
Despite it being a Thursday and a weekday, we saw more people on this short hike than we had the week before in 19 miles crossing the Bonds.
The "New Normal" for the White Mountains, I guess...
