Adventure with Alex

I know I promised the “What Not To Do” article but today was too nice a day to not share it right away. “What Not To Do” is still a work in progress and will post soon.

My amazing niece, Sarah is visiting from Amherst, NH. She was keen on hiking with me, and Papa was game for a short hike as well. I was itching to do a little technical climbing so late last night I decided Square Ledge in Pinkham Notch would be a good destination.

Square Ledge, Lost Pond, and Glen Ellis Falls

I’ve been to Square Ledge close to 50 times, but this was the first for Alex, Papa, and Sarah. A short 25 minute hike with an excellent view, this is a very heavily traveled trail. It climbs about 400 feet in a half mile.

Square Ledge is that cliff behind Sarah and Papa

We crossed the road, then the Ellis River over a footbridge, and started the moderate climb up to the ledge. Papa realized he hasn’t hiked in 18 years and Sarah commented this would be good training for Ice Hockey (she’ll be a High school Sophomore in the Fall). Alex coo’d and ah’d as he usually does.

We passed some families and camp groups learning the basics of rock climbing from local climbing guides before we reached the scenic top.

Stunning view of the east side of Mount Washington

Alex got some time out of the pack, stretching and eating in the light breeze. He downed an 8 ounce bottle of formula and we packed it up after one more summit photo.

Alex was loving it

As we headed back down I was itching to climb something a bit technical and asked the climbers who had a rope set-up on “The Chimney” if they would mind if I took a quick run on it. No one was climbing it, and they obliged. Sarah and Papa stayed with Alex while I took a quick romp up the very familiar climb sans rope. Two minutes later Alex was back on my back and we headed down the trail bidding farewell to some “inquisitive” visitors at the top.

The weather was so excellent I didn’t want the hike to end so on the descent I brewed a plan. I’d never hiked along Lost Pond to Glen Ellis Falls, so I thought this would be a great time to do so. Papa could grab the car at Pinkham and meet us a mile down the road for the .3 mile walk to Glen Ellis Falls. Sarah and I could take the 1 mile Lost Pond Trail to get to Glen Ellis Falls. I shared the idea and it was accepted.

Lost Pond Trail

I’d gone a few hundred yards down this trail in search of an ice climb a few years before and was impressed with how nice it was. Another classic example of how a bit of solitude can be found right next to one of the busiest trails. In between admiring beaver dams we chatted about Highschool, Facebook, and whatever else came to mind.

Lost Pond

Alex had fallen asleep before we reached the Lost Pond Trail, and slept soundly the whole mile to Ellis Falls Trail. 20 minutes after leaving Papa back at the Square Ledge trail we linked up with him and  headed down to the falls. The stone steps and trail work on this short .3 mile section of trail is quite impressive. It definitely allows the “flip’flop” crowd relatively easy access to a beautiful location!

Top of Glen Ellis Falls

We headed down to the bottom of the 64 foot tall falls and watched as some brave 20 somethings jumped from various heights in to the pool at the base of the falls before returning to the car.

Bottom of Glen Ellis Falls

A perfect couple of hours out with a niece I don’t get to see enough. This combination of trails is a perfect kid hike, though there is a river crossing at end, and the issue of moving a car or re-hiking the Lost Pond Trail (only a mile). Speaking of river crossings, that’s a big part of the “What Not To Do” article coming very soon, so please stay tuned!