Welch-Dickey 2003
Where: Mts. Welch & Dickey, NH
When: 10/11/03
With: Andy, Jane, Brian, Audri, Sidni, Jeff
I had responded to Brian's call for hikers at work and his first trip was the famous Welch-Dickey loop. It's well-known as a popular hike for beginners, with a short distance (4.4 miles), moderate climbing and great views, but I've never done it. Other than a hike up Mt. Cardigan long ago I haven't done any day hikes in the White Mountains. If I go up there I go for the weekend, and this trail is only a 1/2 day walk. Still, I've wanted to check it out and this seemed like a good opportunity. I even convinced Jane & Andy to join me.
We got an early start Saturday morning and arrived at the trailhead at 9:30, getting one of the last spots in an obviously new parking area. Quite a few other folks landed about the same time and they all packed up and started on the trail while we awaited the arrival of the rest of our group. Brian had arranged to meet Audri and Sidni at a Burger King just off Exit 4 around 8:30, and we had passed that exit at 8 so we knew we'd be waiting a bit. Around 10:00 they arrived, with Jeff (another of Audri's friends) along as well. We quickly gathered our gear, snapped a few trailhead photos and began the hike.
We followed the traditional counterclockwise path, with Welch Mt. our first peak. The trail ascended mildly through some woods, following a stream for a bit before leaving it to follow the hillside. Audri and her friends, though professed neophyte hikers, moved at a quicker pace than us old folks and asked if Andy (also moving fast) could hike with them. I gave Andy an FRS radio and sent them off, then enjoyed the leisurely walk with Jane & Brian.
After about an hour of walking we emerged from the woods and into a large open area. Not the summit of Welch, but a shoulder of a ridge with extensive views to the south and up and down the Mad River valley. The foliage was at peak color and we all enjoyed a long rest while marvelling at the scenery. We had bright sunshine and warm temperatures, so it was very pleasant. Welch itself loomed above us to the north, prompting some discussion of how to proceed. A simple return to the cars was on option, but we decided to continue on up the trail to see how far we'd get. The younger generation led the way once again, though they never got too far ahead of Jane & I. Brian soon fell far behind but we figured he'd catch up with us eventually so we kept moving along. The trail was significantly steeper in this section, climbing up rocks and across broad expanses of exposed granite. At each viewpoint we'd turn and marvel at how far we'd climbed from the open area on the ridge.
Slow & steady was the order of the day as we moved upward. At a few points we had to scramble up small rock faces and squeeze through small clefts before the trail finally topped out in another open area. We dropped our gear at a spot a few yards below the true summit and congratulated ourselves on a great climb. Again, the warmth of the day and the spectacular foliage and views made for a wonderful experience. We all drank water, ate some snacks, took pictures and rested our weary legs. After doing this for a while though, with Brian still nowhere to be seen, Audri and her friends began to get restless and we sent them on ahead to the next objective, the summit of Mt. Dickey. Andy went with them again.
Brian emerged from the woods a few minutes after they left and Jane & I accompanied him to the summit of Welch for a few photos. Looking out across the valley we managed to spot Audri and the others summiting Dickey, with Andy running up the last few yards. We descended to the col between the peaks, then began climbing again. We managed to stay together this time and fairly quickly we found ourselves on the open rocks just below Dickey's top. Audri spotted me and came running down to ask if I'd mind reclaiming Andy for the rest of the hike. Apparently the charm of his non-stop chatter had worn a bit thin! Once again we sent them on ahead while we rested a bit and took some more photos.
Now a foursome, Andy took on the task of route finding and led us on the descent back to the cars. The path alternated between woods and open rock walking, then emerged on to a long open ridge. We'd seen the ridge earlier and had noted some climbers rappelling down it with ropes. They were long gone when we arrived, but we took a break there to check out the sights. Packing up one last time, we followed the trail off the ridge and back into the woods, where it made a steady drop down to the parking area. We quickly located the others, said our goodbyes and were on our way home. On the way out of the parking lot we were amazed at the number of cars parked along the road leading in. Obviously they'd all come in after us and were still out in the woods somewhere. The popularity of the hike, the good weather and the long weekend had combined for a bumber crop of walkers that day.
Other than snacks, none of us had had much to eat since breakfast so we went to the Bull & Bier Haus Grill in Plymouth for a late lunch/early dinner, then cruised back home while listening to the Red Sox game on the radio.
More pictures
When: 10/11/03
With: Andy, Jane, Brian, Audri, Sidni, Jeff
I had responded to Brian's call for hikers at work and his first trip was the famous Welch-Dickey loop. It's well-known as a popular hike for beginners, with a short distance (4.4 miles), moderate climbing and great views, but I've never done it. Other than a hike up Mt. Cardigan long ago I haven't done any day hikes in the White Mountains. If I go up there I go for the weekend, and this trail is only a 1/2 day walk. Still, I've wanted to check it out and this seemed like a good opportunity. I even convinced Jane & Andy to join me.
We got an early start Saturday morning and arrived at the trailhead at 9:30, getting one of the last spots in an obviously new parking area. Quite a few other folks landed about the same time and they all packed up and started on the trail while we awaited the arrival of the rest of our group. Brian had arranged to meet Audri and Sidni at a Burger King just off Exit 4 around 8:30, and we had passed that exit at 8 so we knew we'd be waiting a bit. Around 10:00 they arrived, with Jeff (another of Audri's friends) along as well. We quickly gathered our gear, snapped a few trailhead photos and began the hike.
We followed the traditional counterclockwise path, with Welch Mt. our first peak. The trail ascended mildly through some woods, following a stream for a bit before leaving it to follow the hillside. Audri and her friends, though professed neophyte hikers, moved at a quicker pace than us old folks and asked if Andy (also moving fast) could hike with them. I gave Andy an FRS radio and sent them off, then enjoyed the leisurely walk with Jane & Brian.
After about an hour of walking we emerged from the woods and into a large open area. Not the summit of Welch, but a shoulder of a ridge with extensive views to the south and up and down the Mad River valley. The foliage was at peak color and we all enjoyed a long rest while marvelling at the scenery. We had bright sunshine and warm temperatures, so it was very pleasant. Welch itself loomed above us to the north, prompting some discussion of how to proceed. A simple return to the cars was on option, but we decided to continue on up the trail to see how far we'd get. The younger generation led the way once again, though they never got too far ahead of Jane & I. Brian soon fell far behind but we figured he'd catch up with us eventually so we kept moving along. The trail was significantly steeper in this section, climbing up rocks and across broad expanses of exposed granite. At each viewpoint we'd turn and marvel at how far we'd climbed from the open area on the ridge.
Slow & steady was the order of the day as we moved upward. At a few points we had to scramble up small rock faces and squeeze through small clefts before the trail finally topped out in another open area. We dropped our gear at a spot a few yards below the true summit and congratulated ourselves on a great climb. Again, the warmth of the day and the spectacular foliage and views made for a wonderful experience. We all drank water, ate some snacks, took pictures and rested our weary legs. After doing this for a while though, with Brian still nowhere to be seen, Audri and her friends began to get restless and we sent them on ahead to the next objective, the summit of Mt. Dickey. Andy went with them again.
Brian emerged from the woods a few minutes after they left and Jane & I accompanied him to the summit of Welch for a few photos. Looking out across the valley we managed to spot Audri and the others summiting Dickey, with Andy running up the last few yards. We descended to the col between the peaks, then began climbing again. We managed to stay together this time and fairly quickly we found ourselves on the open rocks just below Dickey's top. Audri spotted me and came running down to ask if I'd mind reclaiming Andy for the rest of the hike. Apparently the charm of his non-stop chatter had worn a bit thin! Once again we sent them on ahead while we rested a bit and took some more photos.
Now a foursome, Andy took on the task of route finding and led us on the descent back to the cars. The path alternated between woods and open rock walking, then emerged on to a long open ridge. We'd seen the ridge earlier and had noted some climbers rappelling down it with ropes. They were long gone when we arrived, but we took a break there to check out the sights. Packing up one last time, we followed the trail off the ridge and back into the woods, where it made a steady drop down to the parking area. We quickly located the others, said our goodbyes and were on our way home. On the way out of the parking lot we were amazed at the number of cars parked along the road leading in. Obviously they'd all come in after us and were still out in the woods somewhere. The popularity of the hike, the good weather and the long weekend had combined for a bumber crop of walkers that day.
Other than snacks, none of us had had much to eat since breakfast so we went to the Bull & Bier Haus Grill in Plymouth for a late lunch/early dinner, then cruised back home while listening to the Red Sox game on the radio.
More pictures
