The Devils Den is a cave located in the Homestead Forest of Ashland, New Hampshire. My friend Melissa and I set out to find this location after a morning of exploring Thorntons Gore.
The trail head parking is located on Lambert’s Road. Overall, it is pretty easy to find but tucked away in a section of Ashland I have never been to. There is plenty of room for 5+ cars if people park properly.
Out hike started out on a dirt road.
The Devils Den trail is about 1.5 miles long and gives some options on making a loop back to the car. We decided to hike the trail counterclockwise.
We started with a small road walk to the trailhead. From here it was a steady gradual climb through the forest with some small rock formations. About a half mile in we came to some boulders and cliffs that had some small caves and caverns honeycombed throughout but not the Devils Den.
Honeycombed caverns in the ledgy landscape
We continued through and around giant boulders and rock formations. The trail turned up and started to climb again around the rocky outcrops.
As we climbed, we noticed a cave. This was the Devils Den. This cave was large enough for us to climb into. Inside there are lots of little nooks and crannies. Some have light seeping in from the rocks above.
Exploring the Devils Den
At this point, we were about .75 miles into the trail, so we decided to continue our loop toward Gibban’s Trail junction. This section of trail goes through some rolling hills and offers some fine views at a few overlooks.
Some views along the Devils Den tral
As we were hiking, we kept seeing some older blue blazes. Our trail well marked with fresh yellow blazes. We didn’t see any other information about the blue blaze on the kiosk or map at the trail head either. Maybe an old overgrown trail?
Old blue blazes. Are they an old trail?
The trail turned up for the last incline toward the trail junction. After a short bit of climbing, we saw the sign. This was the only sign that mentions the Devils Den Trail.
From here we descended the short Gibban’s Trail. There were some large piles of rocks along the path that Melissa insists large horse graves. I’m not sure exactly what they are but it was a bit odd.
We got to the junction with Lambert Road (trail). At this junction there is a very large barn foundation. So, we looked inside and checked out this mammoth monolith. Very cool.
The only Devils Den trail sign we came across.
At this point we just had to go down Lambert Road back to the car. The trail looks like it has recently been diverted off the road due to many blowdowns.
Other trail reports indicated that there was a large amount of mud on this road. I’m glad to report the new trail that goes alongside the road had good footing and was mostly dry.
Giant stone foundation from an old barn
Lamberts Road was a gradual descend back to the lot. It’s a pretty walk with stone walls and old barbed wire grown into the trees.
Before we knew it we were back at the car. This was a lovely walk in the woods. Not a lot of elevation gain but a lot of different terrain. Lots to explore and I will definably be back to check out some other trails.
Barbed Wire grown into the trees along Lambert’s Road
Burr-arch truss (modified multiple kingpost truss with semi-independent arches)
Parking
2+ Cars
The Taftsville Covered bridge in Woodstock, Vermont is one of the oldest covered bridges in Vermont and the United States. It was built in 1836.
There were three prior bridges at this location but each was washed away by floods in 1807, 1811, 1828. The The current Taftsville Bridge is still the one constructed in 1836.
The bridge and the village are named after Stephen Taft, who arrived in the area around 1790. Taft and his family built a number of mills in the village.
This covered bridge is beautiful and offers many angles to view it from. There is even a nice path that takes you below the bridge to see it from the river.
Parking is “creative” but there is a dirt road across from the bridge that number of people parked on.
I met up with a group of friends for a hike up Hedgehog Mountain in Deering, NH. A few friends and I met the rest of the group on Hedgehog Mountain Road at the trail head. There is limited parking at this trail but if everyone parks correctly you can fit about 8-10 cars.
Making our way up the Hedgehog Ridge Trail to the first view.
We started out on the Hedgehog Ridge Trail up to the summit of the Mountain. The weather was a bit overcast, and temps were in the high 60s. On the way up there was lots of cool mushrooms and lichen. The trail was well marked and well maintained. It’s about a mile up to the summit and only about 400 feet elevation.
Cool moss and lichen
When we arrived at the summit, the views were muted a bit by the fog and clouds. We all gathered and enjoyed a beverage and grabbed a bite to eat. We hung out for a bit and took some photos before packing up and moving along.
We continued along the Hedgehog Ridge trail. The trail has several small ups and downs as we made our way across the ridge. There is a small scramble that leads to another nice opening. A great place for a break and some more pictures. By now the sun was trying to break through the clouds and temps were warming.
Views were a bit hazy at the summit.
After a bit more hiking we reached the junction with the Woods Road trail. From here we started our decent down the mountain from the ridge.
At this point the group had broken into a few smaller groups of 2-3 people. We continued below the ridge looping back to the parking lot. This trail was mostly flat with some small rolling hills. Many pretty sections under the tree canopies.
Summit marker
When we reached the parking lot a few hikers were already there. We waited for everyone to return and then headed out for some libations afterword. In total the hike is about 4 miles long but is not very difficult. There is a lot of small ups and downs but the terrain is all very cool and interesting.
Columbus Day Weekend is a perfect time to drive through the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Some family was visiting from out of state so we toured a few popular sights and took in some fall foliage as well.
The weather for the day started out cloudy and foggy with a little mist but everything burned off around 9:30am, after that we had sunny blue skies the rest of the day. We really couldn’t have asked for better weather.
Our tour included some classic New Hampshire locations and offered some out of car adventures to allow them to immerse themselves in the autumn colors.
All the stops on our tour were accessible options so that everyone could enjoy the trails and the day.
We took off around 8:30am from Hooksett, NH and our first stop was the Hooksett Rest Area for some coffee, gas and (In my opinion) the best Cider Doughnuts in the state of NH.
Mt. Pemigewasset aka Indian Head viewed from the Indian Head Resort
Franconia Notch
Our first stop was Franconia Notch. We stopped briefly at the Indian Head Resort to view the Indian Head Cliffs and read about the alien abduction of Betty and Barney Hill.
Lots of people were out hiking on this beautiful day.
Walking along Mud Pond Trail at the Pondicherry Wildlife Reserve
Pondicherry Wildlife Reserve, Mud Pond Trail
Our next stop was Pondicherry Wildlife Reserve at the Mud Pond Trail. This is an All Persons Trail (APT) that can be accessed by wheelchair. So, there are no roots or rocks and very level.
The trail is about .5 miles long and leads to an opening at Mud Pond. Much of the trail is a beautiful boardwalk through the swamp and trees.
This trail is not usually very busy, so it is nice walk without bumping into people.
Views of the White Mountains of New Hampshire from the summit of Mt. Washington
Pinkham Notch
From here we made our way over to Pinkham Notch and took a break at the Dolly Copp Pavilion. The Pavilion is a nice place for lunch and to stretch your legs. As a bonus there are flush toilets that were open too.
The road is very winding and narrow and does not have guardrails so slow and steady was the pace on the way up.
The drive offers great views for passengers but as the driver, my focus was staying the road ahead of me.
The Cog Railway Train at the top of Mt. Washington
When we arrived at the top we climbed up the stars to the summit from the parking lot and then stood in line for picture with the summit sign. Yes. There is often a line at the top for this pic. Especially on nice days.
From here we went inside and checked out the observatory. Then we watched the Cog Railway Trains go up and down the mountain.
After a few more views we kept moving along and started to make our way down the auto road. The road seems steeper going down and you have to leave your car in low gear.
There are many turnoffs for you to stop and let your breaks cool down. There is no way around it, you will smell your breaks toward the bottom of this mountain.
Once at the bottom the sunlight was shining perfectly on the fall foliage around us so we stopped for more pictures.
The Honeymoon Bridge in Jackson, New Hampshire
Jackson Covered Bridges and some Pumpkin People
While it was still light out we continued on to Jackson, NH where we wanted to get some pictures of covered bridges and some of the Jackson Pumpkin people.
Our first bridge was on the Wentworth Golf Club Covered Bridge in Jackson Village. This covered bridge is used for walking, golf carts and cross-country skiing.
It’s a beautiful bridge that spans over a small brook on the golf course.
From here we drove around the Jackson Village looking at a few of the Pumpkin People displays set up at the surrounding businesses.
The Pumpkin Spice Girls. Jackson, NH
My personal favorite was the Pumpkin Spice Girls near our second covered bridge, the Famous Honeymoon Bridge in Jackson.
We stopped here for more photos of the bridge. This is nice because it has a separate walking part of the bridge from the driving part. This allows you to get pictures from both sides and even in the middle.
Along the tracks at the Crawford Depot
Crawford Notch
We decided to go through Crawford Notch on our way home. This offers several quick pull-offs for photos.
Our first stop was Notchland Inn. This inn is very photogenic, and I love taking pictures of it. I hope to stay there sometime.
Notchland Inn
On the property there is a small graveyard where Able Crawford is buried. Able is the Grandaddy of all hikers in New Hampshire and this stop should not be skipped if you enjoy walking any of the trails in Crawford Notch.
Since we were at the top of Crawford Path when we were at the summit of Mt. Washington, I wanted to show our guests the bottom of the path. The path starts across the street from the Highland Center.
Sign at the start of Crawford Path
Mt. Washington Hotel and Bretton Woods
A short way from the Depot and the Highland Center is the Mt. Washington Hotel. It was dusk by this point but a quick visit the Mt. Wash is always a fun stop. Even if it is just to check out the view from the back deck.
The hotel was fully decked out in its fall theme with Mums and flowers everywhere. People were walking around the lobby and the deck enjoying the views around them.
We did not stay long because we were all getting a bit hungry and started to head back south. We decided to try our luck getting a table at the Woodstock Brewery and Inn.
To our surprise we were seated right away. We all enjoyed some appetizers and a meal and a recap of all the things we did that day.
From here we were only about an hour from home, so we piled back into the car and chugged back to Hooksett.
This was a fun trip, and it is always nice to play tour guide to people who have never visited our state before.
I’ve hiked Mt. Kearsarge many times but this was the first time I’ve ever hiked it from Rollins State Park.
The weather forecast for the day was hot and humid. I wanted to get a quick hike in with Liberty so she could get some outdoor time since we had a concert that evening.
First Views along the Rollins Trail.
We arrived at the entrance to the state park toll booth early so we could beat the heat. I have a state park license plate so there is no charge for me.
The ranger said even with a plate I needed to make a reservation due to the limited amount of parking at the trail head but let me through anyway. There is room for about 30 cars if people park properly.
Liberty Enjoying the views
The road to the trail head was beautiful and climbs up for about three miles. The road is narrow with lots of twists and turns. Go slow, there is two way traffic and not a lot of room for error. Once at the trail head it is a short .5 mile walk up to the summit.
After we parked and grabbed our gear Liberty, and I started up the Rollins Trail. This starts off very gradual and is easy to follow.
As we climbed, we explored a picnic area and some other outlooks. The trail was in very good shape with good footing the whole way. Toward the top the trail steepens and is even a little slabby that last 200’ or so.
We walked around the summit for a while taking pictures and enjoying the views. Lots of people were up there. Did not see many on the trail though.
the Cairn on the first summit
On our decent we decided to go down the top section of the Lincoln Trail to the parking lot. This trail was a lot more rugged with many rocks to climb over.
Toward the parking lot this trail gets very steep and rocky, but we took our time and made it down safely.
The Uncanoonuc Mountains in the distance
If I were to do this hike again, I would go up the Lincoln Trail and down the Rollins trail.
Overall, this was a fun easy and short hike with outstanding views. This would be a great first hike for kids or someone starting out. Great views at the top.
