From Camp Griswold - Yellow to Shannon, Blue/Yellow to Blue, Blue to Mt Anna Summit, Red to Mt Mack then to Orange ( Mack Ridge Trail) and back to Camp Griswold via Orange and Orange/Yellow.
Makes me tired just listing the trails :)
Really I was just looking to complete sections of the Blue and Red trails, but the hike turned out to have some pretty nice views and a few surprises along the way.
Up and over Mt Shannon was easy enough, and since I've been to Shannon recently I didnt linger there. The Blue/Yellow trail was in pretty good shape, though a couple of low spots need some brushing.
This sign is a little bit misleading. I took this with my back to the Blue/Yellow trail, which would be the most direct route to Shannon; following the arrows on the sign would eventually take you to a connector that would in turn take you to the other end of the Yellow Trail ... but that would be the long way 'round for sure.
It was a hot humid day so the deerflies and the gnats were a problem along the Blue Trail all the way to the Carriage Rd.
In fact, it cost me some blood to get the pictures of the herons - standing on the edge of the bog trying to get a few good shots gave a deerfly a great chance to leave me a huge welt. Worth it to me, though :)
The Blue trail was in very good condition, with the exception of a log bridge near the Carriage Rd that is unusable. But easily circumvented. Might be a bit messy earlier in the year.
Arriving at the Carriage Rd, there was no clear junction marker with the Blue Trail, but the proximity of the bridge made it pretty obvious where the Blue Trail left for Mt Anna.
Note - on the Belknap Range Map, this trail is called the 'Old Stage Rd to Mt Anna' ; the Roberts map calls it the Blue Tr.
As one would expect of a Stage Rd, the trail grade was easy most of the way up the mountain, and not at all bad even near the summit.
Just below the summit of Mt Anna were three pleasant surprises - a very nice view, blueberries and a bench. The bench was quaint but I thought not sturdy enough for me to try. The blueberries were fine, though!
From the outlook the trail is a bit overgrown and in need of some brushing work.
Headed down the Red Trail from the summit of Anna. The Red Trail drops a couple of hundred feet into the col between Anna and Mack, with many more water crossings than I would have expected; none are difficult but create a half-dozen or so ups & downs. The first of these was the largest and the only one requiring any rock-hopping. Also the only one that looked to be a reliable water source. I remember the rest as being dry or nearly so.
The gnats became a problem again in this area, but deerflies weren't an issue. Starting to ascend Mack, this trail too had some need of brushing, especially nearing the summit. My legs got pretty scratched up from the juniper, with only a narrow passage. Should have put my pant legs back on ...
The summit of Mack was nice, I explored some of the side ledges more than the last time I was there. I liked the contrast of old and new on one tower:
Descended Mack and took the Orange Trail - or, as it is also called, The Mack Ridge Trail. No problem locating it, well marked. As with the Red Trail, the treadway is in good shape, but there are some spots that need brushing, and there are several blowdowns that need clearing. There is quite a lot of overgrowth just above the steep rockfall section.
Crossing / descending the rockfall was not too bad, though it does require care; like many other rockfall crossings in the Belknaps, the footing involves rock edges rather than flat foot placement. Strong ankles and attention required here.
Reaching the Carriage Rd, the hike back to the car was not difficult, though there was pressure to move fast ... this part of the trail is near water and with dusk approaching the mosquitoes took up where the deerflies left off. No slowpoking on this part of the trip !
Finally, on the drive out , passing the Crystal Lake Dam I noticed a duck walking along the dam itself. Seemed odd so I stopped to look; her babies were playing below the dam, so I guess she was taking advantage of the outlook it offered :)