The rain finally stopped and J found a short 5 mile hike up the Appalachian Trail to Old Blue Mountain.
We parked on South Arm Road at Black Brook Notch. The crossing is well marked by paint on the road. The trail departs uphill immediately and steeply. It gains .6 miles in 900′, a grade of 28%, to a good view down the valley.
View down South Arm Road toward Ellis Pond
After the view it is a series of ups and down through a gorgeous mossy forest. We reached the top, elevation 3600 feet, after 2.5 hours. Sitting on a rock in the middle of a grove of small spruce and firs, we ate lunch and enjoyed the great views.
View from the top of Old Blue Mountain
Sheep laurel in bloom near the top of Old Blue Mountain
Made it back down in 2 hours, for a total time of 4.5 hours of hiking. Unfortunately the rain is coming back, so we rescheduled the Great Gulf backpacking trip to next week.
Distance = 5 miles
Altitude Gain = 2170′
Love/hate to see what I’m missing, since I can’t hike anymore. Hiking vicariously now, so keep it up. Good luck with your backpack trip.
Thanks!