I got up later than I’d wanted to this morning and discovered that the conditions in Hanover wasn’t good at all (cold, wet and foggy). Still, I had some free time and decided to take a chance that other parts of the Granite State had better weather. After driving about an hour to northeast (via I-91, VT/NH-25, River Road, NH-10, NH-116, Wells Road, NH-18, NH-141, US-3), I found beautiful weather again! Stopped for gas in Twin Mountain (0915) and then continued around the north side of the Presidential Range on US-3 and NH-115 to US-2. Stopped again for breakfast at McDonalds in Gorham (0955). There were SO many people all the trailheads I’d passed that I wasn’t sure where I would be able to park… I took a look at a lot I’d seen on the west side of town (on NH-16) and found a space near the Rail Trail I walked earlier this year. From there, I crossed the Androscoggin (on an old train trestle) and joined the Mahoosuc Trail. This was a back (non-AT) route to the top of Mount Hayes. I hiked (via the AT) to a place I’d thought was the summit in 2014 but later learned I’d been fooled by the pretty view on a lower ridge. So I had about a half mile to “reset” to the correct turnaround point for future hikes - not a lot of new AT miles but I was crossing my fingers that it wasn’t a popular destination. One other goal today: I wanted to learn more about the Mahoosuc Trail in case I needed to use it during a future hike ("AT bail out"). Temps were in the 50s and there were no clouds. However, there was plenty of mud from the water runoff from rain during the previous 24+ hours. I had a lot of trouble following the trail during the first mile - there were very few signs and I didn’t see a lot of blue blazes as I followed an old gravel road along the river and power plant canal. At one point, I met a dirt biker who was also disoriented - fortunately, we were able to help each other! Eventually, I found a big sign that showed the way to the woods… The climb wasn’t too difficult and I realized when I reached the top that I’d definitely missed out on the REAL view from Mount Hayes - wow! I could see almost all the High Peaks of the Whites and even back to the Connecticut River Valley. Breathtaking! There were four ladies lunching at the vista and I learned they were doing a loop via the Mahoosuc and Centennial Trails. I continued via the blue blazes until I located the junction for the AT - it was very well marker and proved I’d missed the correct turnaround previously. I headed SOBO on the AT and immediately encountered NOBO Thru hikers - in the short half mile I did, I passed 7. Most of them started in April and were hopeful that they still had time to hike 300 miles and climb Katahdin before Baxter State Park was closer for the year. I had my doubts but didn’t say anything. I backtracked to the Mahoosuc junction and briefly thought about continuing north on the AT. However, I could tell from the terrain on my Guthook app that any good vibes I had at that moment would be crushed by a hike to a good turnaround point (i.e., too far). So I headed downhill, retracing my steps from the morning. Along the way, I passed a pair of ladies who were enjoying the overlook, a few other day hikers (small families), a dead porcupine (who hadn’t been there on the way up the mountain) and LOTS of acorns. I made very good time and decided to take the ATV trail back to the car - it, along with some of the other trail I’d walked, was part of the Cross NH Rail Trail. Saw lots of folks on their four wheelers and dirt bikes (lots of waves, all around). Back at my car just after 1445 (completed around 8 miles), I drove towards home on NH-16 to US-2, NH-115 to US-3, NH-141, NH-18, Wells Road, NH-116 and NH-10. On the way, I decided to stop at Bedell Covered Bridge State Park (in Haverhill) to try to use my kayak before the sun went down for the evening. When I first arrived and was getting ready to go paddling, an older couple parked their Prius next to me and, when they decided to reposition their car, tore apart their front end. I let them know and then gave them some duct tape (I was carrying it in my backpack) so they could secure the broken pieces to their car before they had a 75 mile drive home. Later (as I was launching), I saw a familiar looking man and his dog and we both realized we'd seen each other at Bedell Bridge at other times (e.g., from my last visit with my dad). I delayed my launch for a bit and we talked about the bridge, bugs and beavers... Eventually, I got on my way from the launch near the ruins of the old bridge. The weather and the water ended up being perfect and I was able to spend two hours (1645 to 1845) on the Connecticut River! Overall, I paddled about three miles downriver (logging six miles altogether). The sun was dropping steadily behind the mountains in Vermont and this created some amazing reflection images of the fall foliage on the smooth water - I started to wonder if the Impressionists were inspired by such glimpses… Talked for a while with some successful fishermen - they had just caught some large grouper and pike - and learned that boaters are allowed to camp in the area (Vermont side)! I continued until it was obvious that I barely had enough time to get back to my car before it got dark. I saw lots of herons and a funny egret who kept resetting his fishing zone to avoid me. The paddle back was harder than I expected (there was a current) but I’m pretty pleased with how I did: pretty steady pace, 500 strokes without a break and (best of all) I made it to the landing before I lost all the light (1900). After finishing, I got back on NH-10 and followed it to River Road, NH/VT-25 and I-91. Talked with Mollie on the way and was back at my condo by 1945. After a late start, I definitely made the most of the day! AT Today = 0.5 miles / Grand Total AT = 1868.1 miles
