10/4/07
Hedgehog Mountain 2532'

4.8 Miles 1450" Elevation gain

Kevin, Judy and Emma, Joan and Dan

Though we had climbed nearby Mount Potash, Hedgehog Mountain was another hike we had snubbed for years. Big mistake. This is a beautiful hike with loads of open ledges that allow for great views in almost every direction. For very little effort there are some very rewarding views. Below the ledges the canopy of the forest belowwas a beautiful carpet of reds, greens and golds.Views to Mount Chocorua were fantastic. Closer by were Mounts Paugus and Passaconaway, seemingly close enough to reach out and touch. On the trail we met an older couple from Colorado who were very nice and seemed pleased to be taking in the lovely foliage of the Whites. I of course had to get in a conversation about mountains. I mentioned that the Whites were probably nothing like what they were used to. The gentleman advised me that they referred to these as "foothills" in Colorado, which precipitated a conversation about elevation gain, all in good humor. "How tall is Chocorua?" It's 3500'." "Is that all?" We have 48 in NH that are over 4000'. They're a little higher in Colorado." Yes, we have 54 that are over 14,000'." "Have you climbed any?" "A few." "What's the elevation gain on a mountain like that?" Well, the highest one we did, of course it depends on which trail you do, well, you start up in Leadville. That's already 2 miles high, so you start around 11, 600' and climb up to 14,500'. So I guess about 3000' elevation gain." "Well, Tuckerman Ravine on Mount Washington is 4250' over 4.2 miles, so I guess it's all relative." "Well, yes, I guess it is." Nice folks, I should have got their address, I'd like to make a visit and see some of them Forteeners. Anyway, Hedgehog was excellent, we really enjoyed it. From the East Ledges you could look up and see the summit ledges. I told Dan, "Dan , look up there. We still have to climb up there."Yeah, right. Nice try." He whined all the way to the summit, but had to admit this hike was not even enough to bother him. to the west there were views to the Tripyramids, and north of these were the Hancocks and Carrigain. Very nice. This is a definite "return this winter" mountain.