Hedgehog Mountain

The temps are announcing that summer as truly arrived and to me there's no better place to be than on the summit of a mountain. I mean, it's way cooler up there, there's often a lovely breeze, and the views...well I've already mentioned how I feel about those multiple times. 

Yesterday I didn't have enough time to go tackle one of my remaining 4,000 footers as I had an appointment with an amazingly friendly windshield repair man (seriously, I am so over road construction and the rocks that like to ninja kick my car!) but I digress.  Hence, I decided to take a nearby, relatively short 52 with a view: Hedgehog Mountain.

Situated right off the Kancamagus Highway in the Sandwich Range, it's easy to find (just look for the Downes Brook Trailhead sign), has a decent sized parking lot, and there's a reason it's on the 52 with a view list. You will need to have a WMNF parking pass, which if you don't have one you can pay there. Just make sure you have dollar bills on you.

I started off on the hike taking a left to follow the UNH Trail. The first quarter mile is relatively flat and makes for a nice leisurely walk, or jog, to warm up your legs. You'll pass an intersection where in the winter you can continue straight for x-country skiing trails or continue you hike by staying left and heading towards the East Ledges. The UNH trail has been rerouted but I found it incredibly easy to follow. Any time I questioned if I was on the right track, I would look up to see a yellow marker somewhere within view.  The trail had a few muddy sections, but nothing that couldn't be side stepped. Prior to getting to the ledges, the trail is covered with tree roots. I find roots to be visually pleasing, however, when I'm trying to jog up a mountain it can make for some interesting foot work.

Suddenly, the trail opened up to the East Ledges, and just WOW! I'm pretty sure I looked like the cheshire cat. I was reminded of my hometown mountain, Mount Major in Alton Bay, as I scrambled up ledges and took in the breath-taking scenery. 

There I am staring over the ledge to my certain death if I fell. 

Gorgeous, no?

Since it was such a gorgeous day I was really wishing I had a bathing suit on, a towel, a great read, and no appointment to get back to because I would've just sunbathed out on the ledges. There was the perfect breeze. However, that wasn't my reality so I trekked on

and back into the woods. There were these pretty spectacular rock formations that(spoiler alert) you eventually go onto to get to the summit.

I have a soft spot for nea

There was a group of kiddos from camp up there, so not much standing room to be had, but that was okay. I love seeing kids getting excited at the summit as it will, hopefully, make them life-long hikers/nature lovers. There's another ledge at the summit as well that was much quieter and still had views. 

Much quieter over here.

The other thing I love: loop hikes, which this one offers and is the easiest thing to follow. Just keep following the yellow markers down until you get to the junction with the option to go to the Kanc, which of course is where you're heading if you're done. There will be another junction in .3 miles to point you in the direction of the trailhead. From there, you're on your way to your car.

Overall, this was a great hike that offered great views for little effort. Overall total distance was 4.8 miles with a time of 1 hour 18 minutes. 

Happy trekking~