Shelburne Trails: 10/15/20

Spent a fine October day revisiting several trails in the fine network maintained on the lower southern peaks of the Mahoosuc Range by the Shelburne Trails Club (STC).

Starting from North Road in Shelburne, I followed an access road to the start of the White Trail opposite this nicely situated cabin.

One of the attractive STC signs shows the way.

A beautiful day to be in the woods.

The White Trail ascends to a little peak with the nifty name of Crow's Nest. There's a nice red pine stand on its NW summit.

A recently opened loop extension leads to the SE summit, passing this framed Mahoosuc Range vista.

A nice meander through oak forest on the SE summit (1287 ft.).

A mossy ledge passed during a 0.8 mile bushwhack from the White Trail to the Blue Trail.

A leafy corridor on the Blue Trail before it makes a steep climb to (the other) Mt. Cabot.

Near the summit of Mt. Cabot, a view of the Bear Mountain range in the eastern Mahoosucs.

A short loop leads out to the great south outlook on Mt. Cabot (1512 ft.).

From the broad, sunny ledge, a vista of Shelburne Moriah, Middle Moriah and the cloud-wreathed Presidentials.

Closer look at the Moriahs across the valley.

A connecting path descends to the Scudder Trail, which leads up the south ridge of Mt. Ingalls.

A short distance up from the Cabot-Ingalls col is a clifftop opening a sweeping view over the valley.

Looking SE to Speckled Mountain and the Royces in the distance.

The Scudder Trail makes a meandering climb up the ridge, with several steep pitches and, farther along, some ledgy terrain as seen here.

A framed view of Reflection Pond on the Androscoggin River with the Presidentials beyond.

Some recent logging on private timberland near the summit of Mt. Ingalls.

The trail crosses an extensive ledgy area just before the summit.

Summit sign.

A short extension of the Scudder Trail, recently named John's Way in honor of a local resident, leads to Ray's Pond, named for another local notable.

Ray's Pond, small and secluded.

Back at the ledges, a view west to Bald Cap Peak.

The profiles of East and West Royce.

The Presidentials emerge from the clouds.

Descending along the lower Scudder Trail.

The Yellow and Red Trails coincide here.

Last trail of the day, a short up-and-over leading to the lower end of the White Trail.

Wiggins Rock from below. A spur path leads to the top and a limited view. The trails of Shelburne are well-covered by the excellent trail map published by the Shelburne Trails Club, with trail descriptions on the back.