October 21, 2021

hike 52: Eagle Cliff

May be an image of nature, mountain and lake

Major checkmarks today!! 😃

  1. Hike number 52 for the 52 Hike Challenge.
  2. Bucket list hike for the Adventure Series.
  3. This finally finishes the LRCT Explorer patch for us.
  4. It also completes the SPNHF's 5 Hike Challenge.
  5. Adds another check on the Forest Society's Reservation Challenge list.
  6. Crosses off some redlining for the Squam range patch.
"Eagle Cliff Trail climbs 600 feet in ½ mile to open ledges that offer sweeping views west across Squam Lake and north to the Sandwich Range of the White Mountains."
 
Based on descriptions & reviews, I was expecting some crazy serious rock climbing. While it was certainly a "feel the burn" challenge, the climb was a relatively standard rock scramble. Not an easy one, mind you, but not EXTREME, and definitely for less of the ascent than I pictured. It was kind of in the "goldilocks zone" - tough, but not too tough. Just enough to feel accomplished, but not completely dead. 😉 (Which is good, because I will need to repeat it with Hawk. LOL And for more redlining.)
 
In any case, the view did not disappoint. We had some nice filtered views along the ridge on the way up, then Eagle Cliff ledge delivered a beautiful, unique pano as promised. 😊
 
Considering we have been talking about doing Eagle Cliff since last year, and it crosses off so many goals, it only made sense to count this as my bucket list hike. Truthfully, I don't have specific hikes on my actual bucket list, beyond "day trips to local natural wonders" and exploring local trails. By that definition, nearly ALL of our hikes count as bucket list goals! 😄 But of course, it should be something special for the challenge. So this fits the bill very well. 👍🏻
 
One more Adventure Challenge goal to clean up now, and yet another patch for this year will be complete! 😁
 
p.s. It's been a while since I've done a hike where I couldn't stop taking pictures. And they're all so pretty I can't narrow down my favorites. 😂 I hope you enjoy this photo dump!
 
May be an image of nature and tree
May be an image of one or more people and nature
 May be an image of one or more people, tree and nature
 May be an image of nature, lake and mountain
 May be an image of nature and lake
 May be an image of nature, tree and mountain
May be an image of sky, tree, mountain and text that says '2254 3987 4020 2773 Mountain Mountain Israel 4111 1159 1894 Whitetace 3993 P Passaconaway Wonalancet Paugus Mexico Chocorua 2005 3478 2625 DamodLa1159 Tripyramid 3104 Ledge Mountain Dinsmore Sandwich Mount North Diamond Young Mount Mount Mount Mount Mount Mount 43.77409°N, 71.47317°W 1191 ft'
Mt. Israel is on our list for the Squam range! Future goals! 🙂 (I hear it's one of the prettiest, too.)
May be an image of lake, sky and text that says '1953 1293 Prospect R Rattlesnake Mount East 2222 2212 2169 Mountair Mountar Morgan Percival Squam Mount Mount Mount Doublehead Douden 43.77409°N, 71.47317°W 1191 ft'
Morgan & Percival! 😍
May be an image of sky and text that says '1644 Mountain 2179 2386 2566 2179 1477 1887 2271 2084 Hill Hill 1375 Tinkham Braley Hill Bridgewater Mountain Mountain Mountain Cardigan Mountain 3137 Tug 2340 Livermore Peaked Brown Crane Orange Mount Plymouth Hill Hicks Mount Mount 43.77409°N, 71.47317°W 1191'
May be an image of nature, tree, mountain and lake
May be an image of nature and lake
Closeup of the Rattlesnakes, and cool ripples in the cove. (Probably from the boater out enjoying this unseasonably nice day.)
May be an image of nature, tree and grass
I do believe this is looking up at Eagle Cliff. From the road walk back to the car.

 
10/21 Eagle Cliff, 2.4 mi, 1:28 hrs, 850 ft.
Labels: , , ,
Location: Sandwich, NH, USA

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)