DATE: Jun 25, 2022 to Jun 25, 2022
LGBTQ Hike WELCH AND DICKEY PRIDE LOOP HIKE

Meeting Time: 10:30 AM

Event Coordinator: Gandalf
Waterville Valley, NH
US

Max # People: 12

Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money

Difficulty Level: Moderate

SUMMARY:

Our Pride Hike offers excellent views from summit ledges with a fun social mixer to follow back at our house with swimming in the Mad River and a BBQ!

The Welch-Dickey Loop is one of the most popular hiking trails in New Hampshire, and it's easy to see why! Over two miles of hiking over open ledges with spectacular views make it one of the most enjoyable hikes in the White Mountains. 

Welch Mountain is 2,605 feet high with Dickey at 2,734 feet. Balk Knob is 1,801 feet high. The hike will be about 4.4 miles round trip with 1,800 feet elevation gain. We will distribute rainbow flags at the trailhead to stick outside of our packs as we hike for equality!

Don't forget to bring wind/rain shell, water, lunch, snacks, bug repellent, sunscreen, etc. along with whatever you typically have for a hiking excursion. We’ll have lunch on top of one the summits. 

Social Mixer: Following the hike, everyone is welcome back at our house in Waterville Valley to hang out for a couple hours alongside the Mad River for swimming/sunbathing, socialize around the deck and enjoy a BBQ! It's BYOB and it costs $10 per person. Bring your swim trunks/towel. We have to cross the shallow Mad River to reach our sandy beach so bring sandals or old sneakers; FLIP FLOPS WILL NOT WORK TO CROSS THE RIVER! 

Lodging Option: Bunk beds are available at our house near Waterville Valley, NH for Friday and Saturday night. Its $25 dollars Friday night and $35 Saturday that includes BBQ. Coffee/bagels each morning and linen/blankets/towels are provided. We are only offering 4 of our bunks due to COVID so the first 4 guys that contact us to reserve will get one; and let us know which night[s] you’ll be lodging with us. You’re on your own for dinner Friday night but you’re welcome to use our kitchen facilities to cook!  

Driving directions to the location and spot to meet at:

Trailhead and parking area are on Orris Road in Thornton, NH. Take Exit 28 off of Rt. 93, drive 5.5 miles down Rt. 49 towards Waterville Valley and take a left on Upper Mad River Road [it’s after Smarts Brook trailhead]. After 0.7 miles, turn right onto Orris Road. The parking area is 0.6 miles down, on the right. We’ll be driving a blue Toyota Tacoma truck.