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Pratt Mountain – New Ipswich, NH

Date:	8-8-2026
Location:	New Ipswitch, NH
Distance:	4.08 mi
Elevation Gain:	642′
Total Time:	5 hr 54 min
Parking:	6-7 cars

Pratt Mountain is on the Wapack Trail and that summit was the goal of the day. I met my friend Jen at the trail head on Binney Hill Road in New Ipswitch, NH. There is parking for about 5-6 cars at the trail head.

Parking was pretty full when we started our hike.

We were starting later that usual morning. We met at the trialhead at 11am so the heat and humidity were starting to climb. It was forecasted to be in the low 90’s.

From the parking we started up the rocky somewhat washed-out road that led to the junction with the Wapack trail. We saw a sign for a look out that was south, so we went to check it out, but the field was overgrown and full of bugs and bees. So, we continued our route to Pratt Mt.

Water crossing. Coming back my feet got a little wet.

After about a quarter mile the trail broke off and we followed the Wapack along the side of Binney Pond.

There were some bog bridges to help navigate the swampy edge. Along one of bridges Jen pointed out some Bladderwort growing in the water. Bladderwort is a rootless carnivorous plant.

Jen showing me what Bladderwart looks like

At this point we started to gain a little elevation. After a little way up there was a sign point to a water source that could be filtered.

We continued up to the up the trail and were noticing a large verity of mushrooms growing. Red ones, purple ones, yellow, white and brown.

When we were getting closer to the summit, we took a small side trail that had a beautiful lookout of Binney Pond and Watatic Mountain. We knew we were not far from the summit from here.

We hiked a bit further and came to a cairn on the trail. Finaly the summit. Or so we thought. We took our summit photos and continued down the mountain. We retraced our path up by the overlook, down the steep section, past the pond and down the old logging road. Before long we could see the cars.

When we got home, I got a text from Jen that said we did not actually summit Pratt Mt. I looked at my GPS and she was correct. That cairn was not the summit; it was the marker for another trail up to Pratt Mt. from the other side.

View of Binney Pond below and Watatic Mountain in the background

Oh well, I have to redo Pratt Mt. anyway to get a small section to complete the Wapack trail.

Ruggles Mine – Grafton, NH

Caves, Roadside Attractions and Oddities, Walking

The archways as you enter the mining area.

Date:	8-2-2026
Location:	Andover, NH
Cost:	$30
Parking:	10+ cars

I’ve wanted to visit Ruggles Mine for quite some time but it has been shut down for a while during a change of ownership.

Entering the tunnel that leads you to the mine

It recently re-opened so Steph and I decided to take a drive up to Grafton, NH to check out this unique New Hampshire Gem.

View of the Uranium glowing under a black light as you enter Ruggles Mine

I’m becoming familiar with the roads up near Grafton after doing a bit of hiking in the area. As we got closer the road becomes a lot more rural and is dirt in some sections. You feel like you may be on the wrong road but you are indeed on the right one.

As it goes along there are some signs as you keep climbing up the mountain. Finally you reach the top and there is a beautiful view of Mt. Cardigan, a large parking lot and a few buildings.

There is a $30 cost to explore the mines. Included in that cost is the ability to haul out 1 five gallon bucket of rocks. You can buy buckets there. You can also rent mining tool if you like.

We grabbed some shoves and rakes and bucket and headed into the mine. The first thing we saw was a large tunnel and some glowing green rocks. Ruggles is famous for its glowing uranium.

Walking around Ruggles Mine in Grafton, NH

We continued and were in awe at the size of some of the mines. The first one we went into had large pool of water in it. Everything was sparkling with mica and other minerals.

The road leading down to the various mine in the walls

We continued down the path stopping at different piles of dirt and rock and sifting through.

Lots of different rocks and minerals inside these walls

It was a hot and humid day even in the mountains. When the sun was beating down on you it was a bit oppressive. Inside some of the mines it was very cool.

Mica sticking out of the walls and ceiling

The last tunnel had a few off shoots that lead into some chambers where there was a lot of mica and other rocks.

There were a number of people there that seemed to know what they were looking for but to me it was anything that looked cool.

It was very hot outside but nice and cool in the mine caves

Of course, when we reached the bottom of the trail that is where the cool rocks were so hauling them back up was a bit of a challenge.

Instead of looping around the trail we decided to go back up through the mine and see if we missed anything in there.

Once back at the top we checked out the giftshop and some of the camping sites. There is a lot to explore here but I’ll have to brush up on my rocks and minerals.

This rock had the names of past owners and miners carved into thie stone

On the way back home off Route 4 we stopped at a small farm stand on the side of the road called the Crow Tree Farm. They had a wonderful selection of veggies and desserts, but their sour dough bread was what made me stop. Delicious!!

Keniston Bridge – Andover, NH

Covered Bridges

Date:	7-26-2026
Location:	Andover, NH
Water Body:	Blackwater River
Year Built:	1882
Bridge Length:	73 feet
Truss Type:	Town Lattice truss
Parking:	pull off 1-2 cars
NH Bridge Number:	15

Exploring some trailheads near Proctor Academy in Andover, New Hampshire. Off one of the side roads is Keniston Bridge.

View of the other entrance near the rain trail.

Keniston Bridge was built in 1882 and spans 73 feet over the Blackwater River. The bridge was built with a Town Lattice Truss.

Photo of the Town Lattice Truss used to construct the bridge.

When I visited there was parking on both sides of the bridge. It was interesting to learn that this is one of the few surviving 19^th century bridges that has its trusses exposed.

Keniston Bridge spans over the Blackwater River in Andover, NH.

This bridge is still open to vehicle traffic and sits off a nice rail trail I would like to try out sometime.

Squam Range – Webster to Livermore

Hiking

Mountain and lake views from the Crawford-Ridgepole Trail

Date:	7-24-2026
Location:	Holderness, NH
Distance:	7.28 mi
Elevation Gain:	1301′
Total Time:	6 hr 8 min
Parking:	10+ cars

It looked like it was going to be a perfect hiking day so my friend Jen and set out to hike up Mt. Webster along the Crawford-Ridgepole Trail above Squam Lake.

Lots of parking available on Mountain Road

This trail traverses the entire Squam Range. I only have a small section left to do and this hike was going to cover most of it.

I arrived at the trail on Mountain Road in Holderness first. Temps were in the high 60’s at this point with them expected to rise into the mid 80’s.

I was surprised to see the parking lot could hold 10-15 cars. Parking is located at the end of Mountain Road.

We set out up Mountain Trail Road. Much of this trail is very washed out and I’m not sure an ATV could even make it up. We continued to climb almost a half mile till we met the junction of the Crawford-Ridgepole Trail.

Another view point that might be good in winter but the leafs block most of the view in the summer

From here we went left heading over to Mt. Webster. Once we were on the ridge line, the trail became very moderate with only a few sections that felt like we were gaining elevation.

After some walking we came to a viewpoint with a little bench that overlooked Squam Lake and the surrounding mountains. We took a break here and enjoyed the view for a while.

Continuing on we came upon another view off a short spur path. This view was pretty much overgrown and eclipsed by all the leaves. A quick stop before marching on.

NE 500 Highest Summit Jar on Mt. Webster

The trail starts to go up and down a bit when we got near Webster. Since the actual summit is not on the trail, we had to bushwack up to it.

When we finally found it there was a Jar for the NE 500 highest and a stone cairn that was covered by a fallen tree.

Mission accomplished. Now had to manage the bushwack back to the trail and start our trip back. The walk back always goes a little faster for me. I think it’s because I don’t take as many breaks.

We were back at the lookout and the bench before we knew it and shortly after we made it back to the sign at Mountain Trail Road. Jen wanted to go up to Mt. Livermore so agreed since she was such a good sport during the bushwack.

The trail up to the summit was only another .4 and was pretty easy most of the way. Once we were at the top we both were amazed at the panoramic view that was in front of us.

One of the best views I’ve ever seen of Squam Lake and surrounding area. Lots of pictures were taken.

Now the walk back down was fast and easy. Once we were back on Mountain Trail Road it seemed to go even quicker and before long the light of the parking lot and the cars were visible.

The Rattlesnake Cliffs and Mt, Chocorua in teh backgound

This was a great hike. Not to hard, good views and great company. Now I only have about a mile left of the Crawford-Ridgepole Trail to do from the Mt. Morgan Trail to Mt. Webster.

Bog Mountain – Wilmont, NH

Hiking

Summit of Mt. Kearseage from Bog Mountain

Date:	7-19-2026
Location:	Wilmont, NH
Distance:	4.89 mi
Elevation Gain:	891′
Total Time:	3 hr 26 min
Parking:	1-3 cars

Some friends had hiked this mountain a few days before and it sounded like a good hike to explore.

I started out at the parking area on route 4a in Wilmont, NH. There was not a lot of room to parking. There was one spot with a car in it and then enough room for me to park without blocking the gate or road.

Temps were nice when I got there. They were in the 70’s and it was not supposed to get real hot that day. It was pretty sunny but still a few clouds in the sky.

The trail starts across the street and enters the woods a little further down the road. It crosses a nice bridge over a large stream.

SRK Greenway Sign and some Maple sap lines.

Then the trail goes through a large maple grove tapped for maple sugaring. This is industrial quality network of maple sapping lines. Everywhere. Lots of ducking under the lines.

Lots of maintenance roads as well. In fact, I found myself off trail after unknowingly started following one. I looked at my GPS and saw where the trail was, so I started to bushwhack toward it.

When I got to the area the trail was supposed to be, no trail. So I continued to bushwhack the trail line on my GPS and eventually found the real trail.

Then I came upon a nice sitting area with some large boulders and streams called Dud’s Dell. If the water was flowing more, it would have really been beautiful.

From here the trail goes by a marshy pond and then eventually crosses Stearns Road and starts to climb.

The trail is very easy/moderate the whole way as it climbs diagonally up the slope to the first view point. There is a nice view of Kearsarge through the trees.

Continuing on, the trail flattens out a bit before it gradually starts to climb again through the woods.

When I got to the last push to the summit, I came out of the woods and saw this big rock mass that seemed to go straight up. Fortunately, the trail did not and angled up.

Beautiful views of from the top of Bog Mountain

Once on top of the big ledge, I saw a small library on top and a nice bench. There are full 180-degree views of Mt. Sunapee and surrounding areas.

A little further up the trail is the high point and what I’m calling the official summit. After a nice break and a lot of photos I started to make my way down.

When I got back to the trail head I decided to take Stearns Road back down. There are lots of flowers and some good views of Bog Mountain from the road.

When I got the to the intersection I had to walk along Rt. 4a for a about a half mile. Road walks are not my favorite, but I made the best of it.

Really great hike. I’m looking forward to climbing it again from the other side.

Looking back at Bog Mountain from Stearns Road

Sunset on Little Blue Job

Hiking

The setting sun on Little Blue Job Mountain

Date:	6-19-202
Location:	Manchester, VT
Distance:	3.13 mi
Elevation Gain:	941′
Total Time:	2 hr 32 min
Parking:	10+ cars

Wednesday night hikes continue. My friend Joyce and I made a plan to hike the Blue Job mountains after work. That day was very hazy and humid with clouds covering the sky when I left my house.

Making our way toward the summit and admiring some stone walls

When met Joyce at the trail head the sky was clear and sunny with a nice breeze and no humidity. A complete weather 180!

We decide to hike the loop clockwise. When we got to the summit of Little Blue Job the views were amazing and the sun was low on the horizon.

Summit sign at the top and Joyce checking out the Peace Stick

We sat and chatted for a bit and as the sun got lower, we decided to stay and watch it set instead of continuing on the loop to the tower.

The last speck of sun before it fully sets

There were a few small clouds on the in the sky that added to the drama of the setting sun as it goes behind the horizon.

View of the fire tower that we never made it to

We stayed a little while longer to watch the afterglow in the sky. Beautiful.

After that we headed back down the way we came. We did not visit the fire tower on the other mountain because it was getting late.

We walked most of the way down without headlamps. But the last few hundred feet we needed some light after we kept walking off the trail. Somehow, we even ended up at the parking lot through an entrance I have never been on.

The creasent moon basking in the afterglow

This was a great hike and if you would have told me that I would have seen such a great sunset when I left my house, I would have laughed at you said there is not a cloud in the sky. But I was wrong. The sunset was amazing.

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