Sometimes you’re in a spot in life and you wonder, why did I put myself in this situation? Then, hopefully, you try to convince yourself that it is because the hard and scary moments in life are the ones that make it worth living. Well, I’m sure the people throughout history that said those cliché lines like, “what comes easy won’t last, what lasts won’t come easy” said them after the fact. I mean, who really believes that in the moment? It is just something used to get by, and that’s exactly what I’m trying to do, get by.
My life has been pretty good, and in a lot of ways I’d say pretty easy. The challenges I’ve had have all been ones I could face and overcome, to some extent or another. Sure, I’ve failed, had my heartbroken, and broken bones. Both physical and mental pain has come my way, but usually I try to avoid it; don’t most of us? It’s a scary, anxious feeling to be facing some sort of pain, but to avoid it doesn’t make sense in the long the run, according to those cliché sayings I was talking about above. Maybe, that’s why I did this, to face a fear? That would be nice, to think of this effort as a brave one. Or, it could’ve been the whim that it was; you know my spontaneous nature making yet another decision for me. Was I fed up for working for the man? We look for simple answers to questions that are posed simply, but in reality they are not that simple, and that is the case here. All I know is that I am in a town where I know no one, starting my own farm, with about as much experience farming as the amount of people I know here, 0.
I came home from Mexico because of the corona virus, my plans of staying in Latin America uprooted, and that’s okay. When I arrived back in Massachusetts I needed to adapt to the present situation, a pandemic. Well, I don’t have experience with that, and turns out nobody alive on this earth has experience with it, so I began pondering how I could adapt, what could I do? Hmmm, a go to with so much time is to get a job and work, check. See old friends, check. Spend quality time with family, check. Get back in shape, check. But I wanted more. You could even say I needed more because I’m a dreamer, that’s what I do, I daydream.
Ever since I was a little boy I can remember daydreaming long hours away in school, thinking of adventures and different scenarios and how I would handle them. Here I am, 26, and not much has changed, except for the fact that I now have the independence to act on them (oh how I long for childhood boundaries again). The new job I got when I was home was for a farm, which incorporates a side of ecology, being outdoors, service to others, and hard labor; four things I really can get behind for a day well spent. Naturally, I began dreaming about getting out of my parents house, and not working for somebody else, while farming. Now, I don’t know exactly when it turned from a daydream to a reality, but it did.
Here I am typing this, getting my thoughts out, trying to figure this all out for myself, from my room in Vermont, fifteen minutes down the road from the newly leased farm. There is so much opportunity that I have stumbled upon here. From the land itself to the connection I’ve made with the person who owns the land. Now I’m wondering, pondering, sometimes even fretting if my skills, capabilities and knowledge will match the amount of opportunity. Can I make it happen? The truth is yes. I can and I know it. I also, know it won’t be any easy feat. But hey, as another cliché saying says, “the fundamental level of success is doing the hard things first. If you go for the feared thing first, the rest of the day is easy”. Maybe that’s why I made this decision; I’m just trying to make the rest of my days easier.

About a mile in on flat and easy terrain the sun began to hit the top of the trees of the forest I was in. As this was happening I heard the birds begin to chirp, it was if they were waking up and wishing all the living things around a good morning. After pausing and taking in the experience I kept hiking/jogging to the first junction of the hike (1.8 miles in). Here there are signs from the AMC that will guide you to the peaks of Mt. Hancock and South Hancock, follow the sign. Then hike another .7 miles on flat easy terrain to the second junction of the hike. Take the right,

Sign for second junction (Thanks AMC!)

following the sign that says Hancock loop (pictured right). Then proceed another 1.1 miles to a trail split. Up until this trail split all the terrain on the hike is easy and mostly flat. During the time of year I went (early January) you will need microspikes for the ice on the trail and the river crossings. Once at the trail split to begin the Hancock Loop trail you will have the option to go right to South Hancock or left to Mt. Hancock; I chose to go up south Hancock first because the trail to the summit was a little shorter. This trail is quite steep, however once at the top (.5 miles) you can walk about 30 feet to a lookout and get some humbling views. The views will remind you how small you are and that humans don’t rule the whole earth.  This southeast view looks out into complete wilderness as far as I could see and there was no sign of human impact in sight (roads, houses etc.). After taking in your view start your journey to the second peak walking the 1.4 mile ridge. This was such a peaceful and easy ridge hike and my favorite part of

icicles formed that fell to make a pretty sound on their journey to the ground

the hike, partly because of the few, but pretty ridge views. Also the icicles that had formed on the pine needles kept falling off and making a wind chime type of sound, adding more amazement to the adventure. You arrive next at the 3 way intersection at the top of Mt. Hancock, follow the sign to the southwest outlook only about 100 yds away. The views are great, and again you have no sight of

View from outlook on Mt. Hancock

human impact as far as I could see. Next follow the sign that says loop junction (.7 miles) down to the trail split from earlier. This trail is steep so take your time on it. Once you arrive follow the signs and take the trail out the same way you came in. back to the road, which you will cross, up to the parking lot where your car still is (hopefully). CHEERS!

FYI

• The trail starts about 600 feet down and across the road from where you park (Hancock overlook)
• If you are doing this hike in the winter bring microspikes and snowshoes. I didn’t need snowshoes, but bring for good measure especially if there is new snow on the ground.
• The trail is easy and flat for the first 3.6 miles then it becomes very steep.
• There are a couple of small river crossings, nothing deep or major, but be careful on them especially in the cold when there is ice.
• Bring enough food and water for the total 8.6 mile hike. took me about 3.5 hours with a good amount of jogging.

Getting There

Exit 32 off of I-93. Head east on the Kancamagus highway (Rt.12) like you are heading to Loon Mountain. It is about 20 minutes from exit 32 or about 10 minutes (7.5 miles) after you pass Loon Mountain. You will take a very sharp turn before the parking lot, on this sharp turn there is a sign that says parking 600 feet; by this sign is where the trail head begins. Park your car in the Hancock Overlook, walk to the end of the parking lot to where there is a trail, take this down to the road, cross and begin your hike!!

An amazing hike, one of my favorites that will give you great views for not too much of a climb. I started this hike up

White trail markers to follow

the glencliff trail. It starts off real pretty and easy taking you through a couple of fields where you can look up and see the mountains you’re about to climb hovering over you. In the first .4 miles the trail enters the forest and then splits, stay left on the glenncliff trail. following the white trail markers for 2.6 miles (which has really only one steep section the whole way) until you reach the South Peak junction. Here you will come to orange trail signs, make sure you follow the one that says “Southpeak .2 miles”. Once you take this trail you will have spectacular 360 degree views at the peak and will be able to see the ridge that goes right up to Mt. Moosilauke. This first peak is an ideal spot for a break or just taking in the sights. Then go back down to the junction and follow the orange sign (pictured right) that says Moosilauke summit .9 miles. The ridge over to Moosilauke is so nice and flat and you may have the urge to run it! Once you start ascending again get your cameras ready because you will be entering the alpine zone (above tree line). After the total 3.9 mile hike (4.1 with south peak) out you have reached the top of Moosilauke and boy are the views something else! On the day I went we were above the clouds and spent as much time as we could up there. So much that we couldn’t do the loop we wanted to so we went back down the way we came. Once you’ve finished your roughly 8 miles (6.5 hours) of hiking for the day you will be back on the old logging road you started on and then back to the parking lot, where hopefully your car still is!

Views from the top of Moosilauke

FYI

• This hike does not have a whole lot to it. The biggest thing is be prepared! Weather can turn quickly up in the mountains and especially in the alpine zone.
• If the weather turns and you are not prepared for it do not go into the alpine zone because the conditions will only get more extreme here.
• Make sure you have enough food and water for the 8 mile hike (always better to be over prepared)
• Follow the signs and you’ll be good!

Getting There

Getting to the trailhead in Glencliff, NH is pretty straight forward, however the first turn off of  Rt. 25 onto High St. can be easily missed. Starting your way to the trailhead take exit 26 off of I-93 onto Rt. 25 West, stay on this route taking the first exit on the rotary you come to. After the rotary you stay on 25 West (merges with 118 for a bit) for 20

Parking lot sign for trailhead

miles until you see High st (Glencliff,NH) on your right. Stay on High St. for about 1.2 miles until you see the parking lot on your right. FYI if you cross the town line past Glencliff you have gone too far and missed the High st. turn. Also the parking lot is right across from a healthcare facility sign (pictured right)

Today I wanted to do a fairly easy, short hike near me, so I decided on Tenney mountain. This ski resort mountain has been closed for the past few years, but is in the stages of re-opening for the 2015-2016 season. This makes the hiking a bit easier since the trails are cleared just like on any other ski mountain. There are ski maps around the base

Condition of the trails with a nice views of the land and rainbow.

of the mountain that you can look at before starting your hike to pick the route you want. However, if you are looking for a more gradual and a bit longer of a hike there is a dirt road that winds up to the top. Either way the trails are cleared with good footing and nice views the whole way up; although it can get muddy and wet so be prepared. Once at the top you are greeted with a wide northeastern view. You will be able to see the windmills on the ridge to your north and a large amount of other mountains in the Plymouth area. The top is a great place to be this time of year since there is almost no one up there (I saw no one the whole time). Also you can either sit on the chair lift or the other chairs they have up there, which are great for unwinding, reflecting or  maybe just have a snack.

Views at the summit on top of the chair lift.

Once you’re ready to come down you can take any route you prefer; since all the trails lead to the resort you don’t need  to worry much about getting lost.

FYI

• Look at the maps on the base before you get on the trails. You will be able to tell the steepness of the trail by its difficulty rating on the ski map.
• You can still come and do this hike mid-winter just know the trails will have skiers on them so wear your snowshoes or ski skins and stay on the side of the trail.

Getting There

From interstate 93 take exit 26 onto Rt. 25 headed West. Stay on this route until you come to a big rotary you will take your second exit on this rotary, which brings you onto route 3A. Drive on 3A for about 1.8 miles and the Tenney Mountain Resort you will be off of it on your right hand side. There is a big sign that you can’t miss. Pull in, drive up and you will have arrived at your destination. Hop out of your vehicle ready for a great local hike!

Sign off of Route 3A where you will pull into.