Trails Used

Stonehouse Mountain Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

The absolutely redonkulous humidity called for extra shirts today. Fortunately, this hike is fairly short and I was back to the car's robust AC in good time. Can October come early this year? Always a treat to visit this mountain with its gorgeous forests and neat geology. Views into Vermont were hazy from the muggy air.

Parking

At the trailhead on Stonehouse Summit Rd. in Orford.

Wildlife

Barely any. Quite a contrast to back home in southern NH where the mosquitoes are quite plentiful.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Stonehouse Mountain Tr., bushwhack

Trail Conditions

Notes

The relatively new Stonehouse Mt Trail is a beautiful, well marked and maintained trail.

Parking

Parking available for several cars. No cars on arrival or return.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Stonehouse Mountain Trail, Bushwhack, Stonehouse Summit Rd

Trail Conditions

Notes

I guess I must have a hatred for Quinttown road, after avoiding it for Black Hill and the Lampiers this morning, we avoided it again for these two, opting to approach from the west via the newish Upper Valley Land Trust trail up Stonehouse (map on their website). Trail was lovely, albeit steep at times. Certainly easier than whacking. We traversed the long summit of Stonehouse then whacked just east of south to the col between the peaks, then angled a bit more easterly up a minor ridge, through some old logging and to the summit. Decent woods the whole way. From the summit, we headed NW, aiming for some old logging areas due south of Stonehouse. This started out good, but footing worsened as there were lots of boulders and other obstacles to navigate that prevented us from getting in rhythm. We found what I believe was aggressive blazing of the town line which we followed for awhile and was helpful in keeping a bearing, but this was a draining stretch, late in the day. Once we hit the logged area, the logging road turned into a lovely, potentially driveable road that we followed all the way back to the car. There's even a decent parking area at the mouth of the logging road, just north of the SW ridge of Stonehouse, visible from satellite (between two houses that are both far from the road) that looked viable. The logging road is ungated and unsigned. 2hr round trip. 30 mins up stonehouse, 40 mins over to Mousley and 35 mins to the logging road and 15 mins from logging road to the car.

Parking

Parked at the UVLT parking area .2 up Stonehouse Summit Rd

Wildlife

not yet