SHORT DECEMBER HIKES...
...in a nearly snow-free first half of the month.
#1) PEMI TRAIL
A pleasant three-mile loop in Franconia Notch from Lafayette Campground to Profile Lake, returning via the bike path.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSaW8iHgf6PCYKb_iHdILjmIsNYtkmSDmcyGpJMDVsFXA8gpnQXXIu4VYXNecSna8dQfsJ9cquoPiDFP9Quz0eD_xMrkeWK9MGnRxiTjRNC1joMTSQ41ySGXGAIV5XBxjfqhZfgJTGTPc/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+002.JPG)
About 0.3 mi. north of the campground the Pemi Trail passes by beaver meadows with neat views up to the Cannon Cliffs. What a wild scene this would have been before there was a road through the Notch.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxN3hLXjnC4nq53_MQulisV4pmHdElQdunoDLCGku-HD3fwSKyfXZn3xfgpnZUKEb8EfmtZdxPV8cp3UBHpkUEH76YMUfyU41bflyVR_miykF9GpsYxvQN1r-3qbTgJY_aNHVY1fVWcxV/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+013.JPG)
The Pemi Trail provides mostly nice easy walking, the downside being the constant roar of traffic from the adjacent Franconia Notch Parkway (I-93).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dT4AGuXlUUlVALLnU4Qe9Lf5b6L8p6Ln494omHVSA2375A3n5tgVL6P2o6LSkZxUq0GVvLslq62V-bqdEm3TXsCXZpXFAWNmI2F4HAueeBC_xd83MwU9IEOKTCVORlS3kPjeJ3y0R9wH/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+022.JPG)
The Pemigewasset River, a short distance south of Profile Lake.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrafmm4qvZZ6jl05XBV9Dao3EMH4BcHUo9GJcyODicxK11SdtANPLG9p8ZVVPlb4lWTrKBpVxN8-J2p8jxSBjokHNQvq1LXhtwmQGHMz7xM233BKa60Zag3_h5Y9ipndXPHrKHFRP-JzHF/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+026.JPG)
Beaver dam at Profile Lake outlet.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUUFRJEiR8L88mTmNTw31XgrNXFFJMgqQH2EKfFuc0hgpGjxZhVkZxXF6rNGG8CBwV46SEla13E60_1K3yl8bW3pl8QRuhj26nmQnxTNzK4b88kfmWU8XHFDFoIFpOuxMXro4h7-bEzGL/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+030.JPG)
Profile Lake from the west shore.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbX9W6bd2MoJmjpsSbGyX7G3rcVcZY1stXc7TXx8eyA6vOvEldDRHuRRHUdl4UuIyQ6-dWpSXTY28nAnEO7J0KYtc3g1Bz4vq4WDhsr_auHUXvM3fcIkjVStuBR9yYtK0ST03xpSIMrM-F/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+032.JPG)
Eagle Cliff looms through the mist.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC43zOtJW1NcOIpGt6Wx8Dbllhp_JgzgFfwQb9TWYEbbRirIbiBV3hla-TFEiiJrwc-434mkJnpr_jUvGYme_AU98WiB_Q0Iy7ZmXbjCKvxF_CbJmF8zZHKvrapc0HxwVeiclmCnAEg84y/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+035.JPG)
Looking up at Eagle Pass, the deep cut between Eagle Cliff and a western shoulder of Mt. Lafayette.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Au6xOjIB2WHFkzlbvN1207_ueERDOwUq6UFsjEZBIsqg6_wltUq1iTak2XV7tOZg8C8rpW5QnndMyp-i931n3vYFwkNXj-VMNoD9ZctEQfOGursSUhYUK79fZGVXQlJq6z-jQ17jsD9M/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+042.JPG)
Looking SE to the Old Bridle Path ridge.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ih9bG6t6bcj-gJ_THiM_fy8K7XODdWYfTqFrzd-Y8JDBuxJmXYfiKT6p1H5OCvfB1aIPq6BMJzt4yeE4paXhPJJAAte693tB8en8n-ryf7hk9EAhSYBKZAYEQ13wq7br1se6z6M7vJJl/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+044.JPG)
Nearly full view of Eagle Cliff.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWdUx4xOUA2uLsAlV6MBv9rYWllpTihXBAXq-7MmxnCwHVIIAoqRc0YRYZBOx8Rx1n7SyP7wXgR4lEYmFVJ8h203VplSec5D86dGsljSkJajmDcqXAoRjPNn2SXfxCp99-tSn9AA0cqP0/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+046.JPG)
This boulder broke off from the Cannon Cliffs in 1997 and came to rest right at the edge of the bike path.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfghk_G4SEm15iFO_Zk-7JkcDGquKZMlnxDyiQ3zMSlDtJMbzHQVjyd7Ad1IcYRN2zz9fZffKvDe-aNtQLPZ38zr6D5INqkfJYO_Ns2dD2Deam6rHTZOcQn9obAR_xVZ2yz9NZ54BGQ0tD/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+056.JPG)
No one else was on the bike path on this dreary midweek day.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEWPU-nNDc-aUdWHd4E2vQ4MnU_QgfGxChOtFJvhpJmTBLRtJAm2h1peivvJ-RblxlblWQLXMXLJg3rJAbPaLncIBAftoXvPpgve5X1KhfAqqG0Osp5T4fy7x88OP_fWq8LJEeJg0_6po/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+061.JPG)
Misty view of a beaver meadow.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvcnsyiQZxL6ejsL6NXyi15w8PJ3WrwD9G7UXOxedxZoYXY0h9GZ86WSKGry_7VXKgZy2c_TfgFssX8Ubu5xrDI7Nasz0gWtcWmcq8XkGZSrW5fKcc91g79mYeessU-HkT_WVlDbGNWTI/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+065.JPG)
#2) FOREST DISCOVERY TRAIL
This graded gravel path provides an easy 1 1/2 mile double loop, with a bit of climbing, off the Kanc Highway next to Big Rock Campground. Along the way are a number of Forest Service interpretive panels about forest ecology and various timber harvest techniques.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyM8jYlEpYcU56Rw4Tb-52nBOTaIxVV5flJ5xENbl-Y_umY_5bhMQ2lnU1CPq1FTC5MSkRuhnLcLcC4sMcjuYaDVLrAj74LupGunY6zA-qmruG9e1FklTbfqguKPgIqWRtd9H2QDG6lxz/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+002_1.JPG)
The scenic highlight is near the high point of the trail, where there is a neat view of the Osceola Range from a brushy clearcut opening.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUj_1bghKZaVpgeoKK7595hsBU54lDlcxk4aKgeMaVw0SeZFWCQh2eyiNW_U4gLhRZcgLruweWG0MRrfvKNVAnXBnUPznPJUBoEXgxMKftAP0gYwBzbgRpfbWTSE9ml_rVpkOLs-tlGbxK/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+006.JPG)
The main summit, with the Split Cliff seen below and the top of the huge 1995 dogleg slide visible on the right.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2A6mNAxICpBayjYBs4_xRuFsBFe5f_-KSgjP8HlwdO6S7Upi3VJvxEs_O0ZcHLpmk__S-Yz3PHoecRONWIPr-CGRFspGUfc-Mnoq-CXKytko1omtbamRT9w3OIaSOMGTmrOe8S1YKvwUq/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+007.JPG)
East Osceola, an interesting-looking peak from this angle.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVu5rrLst08wSYi-UNFvz0_bHyoa_vjnK41m3tq9e8kzVP9IOGnIyUaxyV_GQNY3rCB0AUIPoqB-OwT0RdAdRWAJPHrlXB12jdIuTXPtshBWYuUcquyPk10k6PpH5bNj8vrTeTDDIwc8H/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+008.JPG)
A view of part of Scar Ridge, with the main summit on the R and sharp Middle Scar in the center. The bump to the L of Middle Scar has an excellent outlook ledge looking SE, well worth the short detour for bushwhackers traversing all the Scar Ridge peaks.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XE7JaFGgBvfjNJ-0nHDK7wuk4EcFQTFeFHIFhxsbW42ipLSugAbePhnwJpum6BKONaqLVX8ab8mB129qBkzAU00KcKP-OtCIY3Ky2yvAg-pvTmOUUF1XteEOO4PuutgmdaIH0jWr7t9-/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+010.JPG)
A loop off the main part of the Discovery Trail leads across a bridge over a small brook and through a softwood area.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nEvALksnvDSFOzOLGTofZ86yATUkH9oEMaYrUjrc97XHrnqdijF6eflf0hCcNOnsr8RhVX8ZGrRtyekl2eEVF-nX_JRE1VDpX7UAiAXhyjJ8RjW_6Nbh2sQuQ7D5AuIOEHU3tGlcbOJs/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+016.JPG)
One of the interpretive panels along the Discovery Trail.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOSDM1aZKwQoniF_JPCDXYk_d2HeqBSwPmF6kSP0fPk6mGKPtbfaYnL8JI-EbHFfanLQPsoyGHv1IY2RjKmgw_FVSlEZ5HIfmr8-qYahdS6zvC-y5pXCiAvQASw0m8EopP6syN5aIPjuT/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+020.JPG)
#3) BALCH HILL
This 956-ft. hill, which has an open grassy top, is contained within a small Natural Area just outside of downtown Hanover. It has a fairly extensive
trail network and is a favorite local walk. I did a quick one-mile loop over the summit from a parking area at the junction of Grasse Rd. and Trescott Rd.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfY76u7tpsKhtBO_MzzPiigCe4HRFJg9nIq5RBD585_sKoEKScjglANSsgd8gP89AQ3e9uvB-eROKXbu-bsUQl0kSejhTowunzjKYBSz6fIZe4IVPKWCwx_Q-iky1zy-4vSg2Aqvqw8xI/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+002_2.JPG)
The Grasse Road Trail provides an easy route to the top.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZ7ud-VaWjPGNji5TElPSkFqy4zl6lgLy9PpB7cD5eAoD1hki0tGQHYBnpDOGPOOhJvPZkoXTGhvbs9xFUTL-606sjaKy0It_2Rs3xYNRO8sPqvRInS9QTxYPpnkxML2T2Rw1RZgh5oB0/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+006_1.JPG)
At the open summit there's a single tree, and when I arrived there was a Dartmouth student seated on a bench reading a book. Looks like a very peaceful spot for a snooze on a warm summer day.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hAiZH6JGlPtwo6dIhJ-8x2V00-k1l1e3d1HhGxd6m1ucJ9feD5NQ-v3fiMaXEleja6a6_hZHA78nW-rLCqMdK1_OxT7Dxh0mKTWd0SchDm4Gv125bnk8U3mBFTxUFhZvomAFZ5BWF7PL/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+010_1.JPG)
The primary view is to the west. You can see Killington and Shrewsbury Peaks peering over the nearer ridge, but they are not visible in this picture - too hazy.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEA8PJl-xJaDKM7woxkGyXatY_zKyFglIB1_2um8j7fTKfnsSsZfhDh5FT9M5pR2cjJvITYQORbYotthBLhm1QmMBApeMc7Ri2ZH_O_26jMk-3m_AG2mmXP8LGath3955EEfFeP5WBKjc/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+014.JPG)
Mt. Ascutney can be seen through a gap in the trees to the SW.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejWBoPB5u4M36r2xLGk7cAHA5QB5ZiZsgzdkURjxIdmmziKXbp7HBcga5EVHl4RdGsN3Tq3muVmIA_icikpI6AJtm4oqHPW38j-dJCben5pL9ScyGjvg4BuJIeok3tfejcJnlpNILA0Z3/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+017.JPG)
Looking east through another gap, South Moose Mountain, on the outskirts of Hanover and traversed by the Appalachian Trail, is visible.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIAMH1uHLf68cPROOdSIQRTj5_idhjvKsOjHboY7FWrHPflaYBvkJL-feIZDP3Rw27LmcsQolm8f6fWlLTjPGTypcyDBEvAkB5g8utZVl8euvF6fG4n0QJK5ehO2reCpRBwfNSfmaWS5O/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+024.JPG)
A neat tree-lined stone wall along the trail.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Yt08Lx6hi13EHq_FsrBivKXx0PxPlZBdxTuSA7t2C2iazx8y5b2tBEWzp0cC02pAZ8PSOsiNOa15tmJ42uLvIIMpMNbabADzHfEL4BriaFzFyM5ttMqmTZppgrppJGydyW3f9lU8WVKZ/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+035_1.JPG)
After the short hike, Carol and I took a stroll around downtown Hanover, walking across the beautiful town common.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhih3XCtw_DUY3u8yyvugso09fzV5f5FMqfLD2oanD36yICazGTiPhVE4PofggQMAxDMuwzLIWuGfgoK-vVDJpoLnMkWMhww9NTacmJeMwl7z1oFrAYZoGecuOpxgZb_fg1TU5ZGIa6qxaz/s320/pemi+trail+discovery+balch+hill+042_1.JPG)
We also visited the offices of the Dartmouth Outing Club in Robinson Hall. The place was pretty quiet as the students were gone for Christmas break, but we had a nice chat with the lady in the office and walked around the halls, absorbing a bit of the DOC mystique. The Appalachian Trail passes by along the streets just south of here, but I forgot to get a photo of a white-blazed light pole!