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Long Mountain - West Peak, Long Mountain - Middle Peak
Stark, NH, Odell, NH
Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Nearing the shoulder of Long Mountain on a logging road
Route: Old Summer Club Trail, Jimmy Cole Brook Road, logging roads, bushwhacks
Initial portion of Old Summer Club Trail (gated) was plowed, followed by a short stretch that we broke out, followed by groomed snowmobile corridor all the way to Jimmy Cole Brook Road junction (where the Old Summer Club Trail leaves the corridor). We took a right and ascended Jimmy Cole Brook Road, which was unbroken with maybe a foot to a foot and a half of powder on top of the frozen base. As far as logging roads go, this was smooth sailing all the way up to about 2,350 feet, where we entered the woods (road takes a sharp south turn). Bumped into Brian Williams, who claimed he had rescued some puppies from RPG fire nearby while watching a refugee jump off a cliff. I think he conflated the optics on that one.
Upon stepping into the woods, powder immediately became knee deep. We had generally decent woods all the way up to the Stark town line, which was a well blazed, open swath. We took this uphill for awhile, then eventually left it in open woods to head toward the 3,270 subpeak, then cut the col and ascended to West Long in open woods. Slow going with deep snow and occasional moose postholes.
From West Long, we descended a little to the southeast of the ridge to skirt some spruce (lost maybe 80 vertical feet vs. a direct line), then cut over to Long Mountain Pond in good woods (careful on the pond and its outlets, as there were some slushy areas covered by drifted snow), then slabbed toward Middle Long in good woods, though slow going due to deep powder.
Long trek due to tough breaking, but the return trip was twice as fast due to the nice footbed. Morning sun helped keep temperatures generally above zero. Never had to push through a single area of thick spruce thanks to the snowpack and choice of route.
| Hike Ratings |
|
Getting To Trailhead: |
Easy |
| Destination: |
Long Mountain - West Peak |
|
Length: |
Moderate |
|
Steepness: |
Difficult |
|
Navigation: |
Difficult |
|
Views: |
Minimal |
|
Crowds: |
Minimal |
| Destination: |
Long Mountain - Middle Peak |
|
Length: |
Difficult |
|
Steepness: |
Moderate |
|
Navigation: |
Difficult |
|
Views: |
Minimal |
|
Crowds: |
Minimal |
|
| Hike Stats |
|
Date Hiked: |
Saturday, February 7, 2015 |
| Parking Elevation: |
1,210' |
| Destination: |
Long Mountain - West Peak |
| Time Elapsed: |
03:55 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
1,210' |
| Summit Elevation: |
3,661' |
| Vertical Gain: |
2,551' |
| Destination: |
Long Mountain - Middle Peak |
| Time Elapsed: |
02:11 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
3,661' |
| Summit Elevation: |
3,661' |
| Vertical Gain: |
261' |
|
|
| Hike Time Elapsed: |
09:15 |
| Hike Vertical Gain: |
3,173' |
|
The Old Summer Club Trail trailhead
Slight views from the west peak of Long Mountain
Crossing Long Mountain Pond on the way to Middle Peak
Long Mountain's Middle Peak
Directions to trailhead: Take Route 110 East from Groveton. In Stark, take a left and go through the covered bridge. Take a right onto Percy Road. Take a left onto Christine Lake Road. In winter 2015, there was plowed parking near the boat launch. The Old Summer Club Trail starts as a gated roadwalk just before the boat launch parking, on the right
Back to Long Mountain - West Peak Profile
Back to Long Mountain - Middle Peak Profile
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