Overnight on the Cohos Trail: the Percy Peaks

The third times the charm, especially with hiking. Our most recent hike described below happens to be our third time doing the Percy Peaks. It took three attempts to finally get it right, this time completing the loop and ascending both peaks. This hike is one of the best loops north of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. This is also the first Columbus Day weekend we've had good hiking weather, which is an added bonus.

The White Mountains from North Percy Peak.

My dad and I began the hike at the southern trailhead, where we followed the trail easily through a beautiful forest. The fall colors were everywhere, adding more beauty to the area. The path was gradual at first, but eventually began to climb up the mountainside, passing over and around numerous slides, yet never getting too steep. There were faint views back through the trees from the slides, but they're nothing compared to the views ahead.

The Percy Peaks Trail.

Lucy crossing a bridge along the trail.

The view from one of the slides.

The path flatten out as it entered the col, which is the gap between the two peaks. We were soon brought to the junction with the Cohos Trail, which we followed a few hundred feet south to a faint herd path. This trail is seldom used, despite the very obvious sign stating that it leads to the summit of South Percy. The path is obscure, as it maneuvers up the steep slope, and very slowly opens up onto the summit. This peak is rarely visited, yet it offers one of the most iconic views north of the White Mountain.

The trail junction.

The spur trail to South Percy Peak.

Still climbing South Percy.

The ledges of North Percy as seen from South Percy.

Goback Mountain and Savage Mountain

After taking in the views for a while, we decided to head over to North Percy. We descended from the south peak and eventually made our way over to the junction with the spur trail up the ledges and to the summit of North Percy. Something I don't understand is how over exaggerated the trail up the ledges is. The trail climbs up the ledges, but never results in climbing, it's easily walk-able the whole way up. If anything, the trail up South Percy is more difficult, but not as beautiful.

The beginning of the ledges.

Lucy climbing up the rocks.

Looking toward Long Mountain and the Mahoosuc Range.

We knew we were approaching the summit as the slope began to flatten, and the sign came into view. This peak offers the best views north of the White Mountains in New Hampshire, offering views into three states. Numerous peaks in Vermont can be seen, including Mt.Mansfield, Burke Mountain, Bald Mountain, Jay Peak, Seneca Mountain, and even East Mountain and it's many radar towers can be seen.

The summit of North Percy Peak.

Burke Mountain, East Mountain, Seneca Mountain, Bald Mountain, and Jay Peak.

The radar towers atop East Mountain.

Many more peaks can be seen in New Hampshire, both to the north and south, including Mt.Moriah, Mt.Washington, Rogers Ledge, The Horn, Mt.Cabot, Mt.Garfield, the Franconia Ridge, Mt.Cannon, and Mt.Moosilauke. The Mahoosuc Range can be seen continuing into Maine, and many more mountains throughout Nash Stream Forest can be spotted from the summit.

Looking north from the summit.

The Mahoosuc Range from North Percy, including Baldpate Mountain,
Old Speck, Mahoosuc Arm, Goose Eye Mountain, Mt.Carlo, and Mt.Success.

The Presidential Range rising above the Pilot-Pliny Range.

Mt.Garfield and the Franconia Range, alongside the Kinsman Range,
as seen from North Percy Peak.

We set up camp just below the summit, and away from the winds. We stuck around the summit, as the sun began to set over the horizon of Vermont. There were still people arriving at the summit, even after the sun had set. After watching the sunset, and taking in the star-filled skies, we went to bed, awaiting the sunrise the next morning.

The colors of sunset over the Mahoosuc Range.

South Percy and the White Mountains.

Watching the sunset over Vermont.

The sunrise was a beautiful sight, as it rose just over the Mahoosuc Range, shining all over the valley and nearby mountain slopes. We admired it for a while, but we also wanted to get down early, so we hastily packed up camp and began to make our way down, enjoying the views over Lake Christine and toward the White Mountains all the way down.

The sun rising over the undercast clouds.

The sun slowly rising.

Lake Christine and the White Mountains

Looking into Vermont from the ledges. Cape Horn can be seen to the left.

Once we entered the trees, we continued down the north side. This trail is beautiful, and not steep at all. It begins by passing through a moss-covered forest, which slowly transitions into hardwood. The Cohos Trail is well marked here, and it eventually brings you to the camping spot, where the Cohos Trail diverges, and we continued on the Percy Loop Trail, which follows an old woods road for the rest of the way.

The junction with the campsite.

Lucy roaming the campsite.

The old woods road through the forest.

Sugarloaf Mountain through the fall-colored trees.

Overall, it was enjoyable hike with great views, making a great second to last sunrise for the year. If you don't know what I'm talking about, it's that my dad and I have been doing a sunrise hike every month since November to celebrate my dad's 50th birthday. We've already done twelve months, but we will officially finish the endeavor next month, completing the year. It's been an exciting experience so far, so hopefully we can finish strong!

Short and Sweet: Putney Mountain

Sometimes short hikes are the best. Not all mountains need to be over the top in beauty, or constantly topping the last. Doing that will eventually leave you at a dead end, so it's good to go back and do easy hikes. Just because a trail is easy and short, doesn't mean it won't be amazing. Putney Mountain in Vermont certainly makes for a great short hike, and with it being autumn as well, the mountain fits the bill perfectly. A little mountain with a big view, that's for sure.

Emerging onto the summit of Putney Mountain.

Putney Mountain is an incredibly short hike, with barely any elevation gain. The path follows an old, wide logging path through the woods. This mountain supports my hypothesis that Vermont is the best state for hiking when it comes to the fall, and especially leaf peeping. Also, don't be fooled by these photos of empty trails, this mountain can fill up quick in an afternoon. Either way, the trail was steady, and covered in leaves, surrounded by glowing oranges and vibrant yellows on the trees.

Starting from the kiosk at the trailhead.

The trail winding through the trees and their fall colors.

A large, burnt tree along the trail.

Passing through one of many stone walls.

The mountain was eerily quiet this early in the morning, and that's in no way a bad thing. As we approached the summit, the trail gave us a bit of an incline, but nothing warranting  heavy boots and trekking poles. The path gently brought us to the summit, which featured a large open meadow with views out to the surrounding peaks in both Vermont and New Hampshire, the most notable being Stratton Mountain and Mt.Monadnock.

The sign just below the summit.

Looking further into Vermont.

The summit area of Putney Mountain is quite the attraction in an of itself. There are several herd paths that cut through the bushes and grass that line the summit. The highest point offers spectacular views into New Hampshire, with Mt.Monadnock distinctly visible. Another trail winds down to a lower meadow, with a great view out west, and a sign about hornets.

The view into New Hampshire, with Mt.Monadnock clearly visible to the far right.

Stratton Mountain as seen from Putney Mountain.

Mt.Monadnock stands tall, with Gap Mountain to the right.

Stratton Mountain, with the ski slopes visible on it's right side.

They're not kidding! Look at the size of the nest in the background!

Down the trail a bit more is a bird watching station, with extra folding chairs, information on the mountain, and even statistics for the bird migration in the area. There were a couple bird watchers on the summit, but besides them, there was nobody else on the mountain. We slowly made our way back down the trail, enjoying the walk all over again.

The bird watching station.

An arrow toward the trail.

The summit area.

Heading back.

Putney Mountain is one of the best little mountains around. It's the kind of hike you find yourself doing on an early fall morning, kind of like this! I can't wait to come back and have the same amount of fun hiking it as I did today. I dedicate this blog to not only the appreciation of short hikes, but also making fond memories, and revisiting them. This mountain makes me want to return day after day.