I've been eying this for a couple of years, particularly since a trip last year over Tate Mtn.
So today I decided to go.
Gallery / slide show
So a little research and a quick drive to trailhead. This was a little hard to find; for some reason the Canaan Rd sign was tipped over and I didnt see it.
But eventually I got on track. There is a hump in Canaan Rd that must give the road agent the willies in winter. It's almost like a carnival ride - whoops, there goes my stomach! Need to bring my bike up here sometime....
So the trailhead and much of the trail are within hte bounds of a youth camp. This was one reason why it's taken so long to go here.
But I was needlessly putting it off. I drove in, found the sign in desk no problem, had a pleasant chat with a caretaker and got some directions ( the actual trailhead is off one of the camp roads), and was on my way.
Actually, it's a lot like going into the BSA camps to reach trailheads in the Belknaps. Not a problem at all.
The trail links into what must be a carriage road, wide and in good repair, although lots of loose rocks. It passes a spur path to a set of ledges ( which I did not take), and continues thru some logging activity. This could be a slightly confusing area, but the trail just pretty much goes straight thru the cuts, and the treadway should be obvious to anyone with any experience.
The trail eventually comes to a section that is like a big rockfield - a wide area that has lots of exposed rocks; its a quarter mile or so of clambering over man-sized rocks sort of like following a dry stream bed. I found this very challenging; lots of opportunity for ankle or knee damage on this stretch !!
Past the rockfield, the trail becomes ever more grown in and ledgy, then swings shortly thru some woods and climbs the final ridge toward the southeastern outlook. The trail is not quite a moose path, but there are some places where you have to duck under the brush. From the end of the carriage rd on I'd recommend safety glasses to protect against branches. The outlook is a wide open ledge, with great views. Very worthy.
Fortunately, I had a little advance data that told me to continue past this point. Arguably the best view is just past the actual summit, a quarter mile or so, where the trail begins to descend to the col between Flagg and Shaw.
Spent some time here, then turned and headed back the way I came.
A very nice hike, but much more strenuous than I expected given that it is only around 4 miles/16oo ft. The carriage rd has lots of loose rocks which make the footing a bit treacherous in places, and the rockfield took a lot of energy. Oh, and the water in the streams is apparently very clean - there were MANY black flies. Just starting to bite.
But it was worth it :)