Elevation: 1,138 ft (overall) 1,150 ft (total)
Time: 2:42 (Summit) 5:20 (Total) -- With a 5 year old setting the pace
Trails: Winslow Trail, Barlow Trail
A family hike to in order to climb a mountain all together and check off another peak for Liliana on the NH 52 With a View list. I've done this peak before so I knew it was something everyone can handle. I choose to go up the Barlow Trail and down the Winslow Trail because I know from past experience that coming down the steep rocky section of the Barlow Trail would be slow going for a 5 year old with short legs.
The Winslow Trail starts off without much difficulty making for a nice warm-up at the beginning. As the trail goes up it does start to get rougher with more rocks and in places roots. It then becomes steep and quite rocky for a little bit. The footing is still good here and you can navigate the trail without having to climb up and over anything too large.
Liliana climbing up the roots of a tree to get over the rocks
The rockiest section of the Winslow Trail
After the steep rocky section the trail starts to do some gradual switchbacks to keep it from getting too steep. The trail now stays rocky and goes over some interesting sections of rock slabs before coming up out if the trees. The two trails will join back up with each other at a wooden sign shortly before the summit. Go to the right to make it the rest of the way up. When we were here the cabin of the fire tower was currently being rebuilt. It was just the framed in floor and walls, but it seemed that you could still go up it. There wasn't anything advising people against it.
Liliana leading the way up some rock slabs along the trail
View from the unfinished summit fire tower
View to the southeast
Liliana having a snack in a makeshift chair
The fire tower cabin is currently being rebuilt
View to the northwest
Madison having fun at the summit
After having some fun at the summit and spending plenty of time taking in the views, we headed back down. We knew it would be slower going with little kids and we didn't want them getting two tired and hungry before we could get them somewhere for supper. The Barlow Trail isn't as steep or as rocky to come down, but it is longer. Liliana was getting tired by the time we got down, but almost the entire length of trail was easy enough for her to climb down that she didn't need help. Only holding someone's hand a couple times to stay steady on some smooth rocks.
One of the views coming down the Barlow Trail
This is a nice little hike with great views at the summit. It is and would be great to do as a family hike as it isn't super long. If you wanted to do an even shorter version you could come up from the other side and have even less of a climb to do.
Google Earth representation of the hike
For all the pictures from the hike, just go to my gallery on SmugMug
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