Bristol, NH (USA)

The weather was spectacular when I woke up this morning!  However, just like all the other weekends in April, the White Mountains were still covered with snow (and, in fact, had received several new inches in the previous 24 hours) when I checked my online sources.  Was a bit slow in getting out of my condo because I didn't really know where to go on such a great day...  Fortunately, one of my friends recently told me about a hike he did from Mount Cardigan to a place called Newfound Lake - by the time I got in my car, I decided it might be a good place to visit.  I used a "northern route" to enter the area (US-4, NH-118, NH-25 and NH-3A) and reached the north end of Newfound Lake by about 1030.  Google Maps was loaded with the boat launch at Wellington State Park (on the southern end of the lake) but I ended up getting distracted several times along the route.  My first stop was at the Newfound Audubon Center which, although closed, had a great set of well-marked walking trails.  I was treated to some amazing views of the lake and surrounding hills.  After about 45 minutes along the water there, I drove a short distance into the town of Hebron and found another set of trails at the Grey Rocks Conservation Area.  This park was adjacent to the town beach, which I visited via a closed gravel road.  The location was nice for views but the wind was very strong on the exposed peninsula there.  Backtracking, I explored a marshy area closer to the town and was very impressed by the local Parks and Recreation's efforts (nice bridges, well placed blinds, gravel on the trails and many benches).  Back in the car, I saw some signs that directed me to a place called the Sculptured Rocks - this seemed intriguing so I continued west through the town of Groton until I found a parking lot for it.  At first, I was confused about where to go because the arrow on the sign pointed at the Cockermouth River.  There were no interpretive stations or maps, so it took me a bit to realize that the attraction WAS the river.  The water had eroded the rocks in the little gorge into amazing shapes and there were plenty of places from which I could observe the eons-long process...  I backtracked in my car to Hebron and then continued south along the west side of Newfound Lake.  There were lots of pretty vacation homes and private beaches/launches - I also passed Camp Berea, which looked like a good place to get away from civilization with some of the comforts of home.  Eventually, I encountered a sign for the Sugarloaf Ridge-Goose Pond Conservation Area (across West Shore Road from Wellington SP) - this was the place my friend had mentioned.  After parking, I checked the map (lots of options!) and decided to hike over to Goose Pond.  I soon saw a sign that said I was only 12.5 miles from Cardigan.  The walk wasn't too strenuous so, after I reached the pond, I backtracked to a side trail so I could climb to the top of Little Sugarloaf Mountain.  This also wasn't very difficult (the summit was just barely over 1000 feet above sea level) but the steepness of the cliffs I was on required a lot of caution.  The views were tremendous and I could see the southern end of the Whites (snow capped), Cardigan (in the other direction) and almost the entire length of Newfound Lake.  Because it wasn't too windy, I spent a good amount of time up there, not wanting to leave the nice views.  Eventually, I made my way downhill to my car and encountered the only people (middle aged couple with a lot of knowledge of the area) I'd seen on any of the walks all day.  In my car again, I quickly explored Wellington SP (didn't get out of my car), the town of Bristol (at the southern end of the lake) and the town of Alexandria (I sent pictures to the kids).  From there, I was going to drive over to visit New London but, again, got distracted.  This time, it was because I saw signs for the AMC Cardigan Lodge - I followed them all the way to the end of a dirt road and found the lodge nestled just below the peak for Cardigan.  The parking lot was packed with cars but there was only one person inside (the Caretaker).  Apparently, there was a big AMC event today and I barely missed seeing everyone before they went on a hike.  I didn't feel like I really "missed" anything, though...  I backtracked to Alexandria and used some back roads to find NH-104 and, eventually, US-4 (Danbury).  Then got on NH-11 and used NH-114 to find New London.  I'd heard all kinds of good things about the ambiance, Colby-Sawyer College and some restaurants.  However, I didn't think it was "exciting" enough to warrant a stop.  Instead, I continued west until I could get on I-89 and head home (arrived at 1545).  Like many other great days I've had since moving to the Granite State, today was full of discoveries, amazing views and lots of Vitamin D - loving the fact that New Hampshire hasn't lost the "newness" since I got here!