Carlos, Rick, Brian, Mark, Dave and Steve arrived at the house Friday night after 7pm. After getting settled in, we spent the evening in the living room discussing a multitude of topics including Hummingbirds, drinking & driving, and Steve & Dave's trip to Thailand. We went to bed around 11pm.

We woke up to coffee and bagels around 6:30am under overcast skies. Thankfully temperatures would be cool today with a high reaching 68. We made our lunches, took showers and got our packs ready for a day of trail maintenance on our adopted trails: Smarts and Drakes Brook. Chuck and Mike arrived at 8am. We handed out trail maintenance tools to everyone and split into two groups. Jon was taking one group to Drakes Brook trail while Mike would take the other to Smarts Brook trail. We left the house around 8:30am. Jon and Mike both wore their White Mountain National Forest T-Shirts. The black flies were out so everyone put on insect repellent.

Smarts Brook Trail Report

With the permission of the Forest Service, we were able to drive up the logging road section of Smarts Brook Trail that saved us almost three miles of walking if we had started from the parking lot. We are officially responsible for the section of trail that starts at the Wilderness Boundary however we usually start at the large clearing where the logging road turns into a real trail. 

Smarts Brook trail is the least used trail up Sandwich Dome, which I think is a pity. The logging road section that we drove over is the boring section. Once you get onto the trail there is a lot to enjoy! For roughly the first 4 miles the trail follows Smarts Brook fairly closely. The valley is wild and pleasant, full of cascades, and the trail is relatively easy. The footing is excellent most of the way. 

The first half mile or so up the Wilderness boundary there are many cut areas from previous logging. Up to the Smarts Brook crossing [about 2 miles from the clearing] we spent most of our time clipping back encroaching vegetation making their way onto the trail and removed a couple of blowdowns.

After this crossing the trail goes through an area with huge boulders, and the footing becomes rockier. It then leaves the valley for the ridge. Most of the trail to the ridge is a wide switchback with easy grades, but the first and last 100 vertical feet go straight up the fall line, the only two steep sections on the whole trip. After the huge boulders, we spent most of our time removing blowdowns...about eight of them. 

We did not meet anyone on the Smarts Brooks trail. Once on the ridge, Chuck, Mike and Mike went to Jennings Peak to catch the view. Once we got there we were in the fog but the breeze was very refreshing.

The trip down was easy, as the combination of moderate grades and good footing makes the descent a pleasure! We enjoyed the fruits of our labor with the trail completely cleared! 

Drakes Brook Trail Report

The "DRAKES TEAM"  consisted of Jon, Dave, Mark and Brian.  

After getting to the trailhead, a quick 10 minute walk up a logging road brought us to the right turn-off to Drakes.  Drakes Brook is a wide trail that starts off moderately for the first hour or so then at a sharp bend begins its steep pitch up the mountain.  Time spent on the lower section is very enjoyable with the sound of cascading water along with many blooming wild flowers this time of year.

There never was a dull moment.  The pruners and clippers were in use the entire time.  We all took turns clearing water bars with a very impressive looking sharp toothed fire rake.  At least 5 blow-downs were removed with our trusty bow saw.  It was a "TEAM EFFORT" with every one pitching in.

Just before noon we arrived at the ridgeline.  We left some tools to lighten the load then high-tailed it to Jennings Peak where we enjoyed magnificent views towards Sandwich Dome and Sachem Peak.  A wonderful sloped exposed granite slab made for an inviting seat to take it all in.  Naturally, we did some clipping on the summit as it was a bit overgrown and needed tidying up.

By 1pm we decided to head down - clipping, chatting, enjoying the company, fine day and fruits of our labor.

The Drakes Brook Trail is now in absolutely AMAZING shape!

Apres Trail Work Relaxation Party!

Back at the house, we took showers and relaxed on the deck enjoying Mojitos made by both Carlos and Dave. This is the real deal with fresh limes and mint! After a couple of rounds, Jon and I started getting ready for the Hiker Food Feast. Tonight, we served spaghetti with homemade meatballs, Chicken Marsala, Tossed Garden Salad, Homemade Garlic Bread from the oven, and Amaretto Strawberry/Blueberry Trifle with shaved Dark Chocolate. Nobody left the table hungry! Afterwards we enjoyed a roaring campfire capped by fireworks!

The next morning we served coffee with pancakes topped with fresh blueberries and NH Maply Syrup. Afterwards everyone left to enjoy their own adventures.

Gay Outdoors' members are AMAZING! It is rewarding work and our way of pitching in with the greater hiking community to keep our adopted trails in Waterville Valley, NH [Smarts and Drakes Brooks Trails] around for future generations. We are very thankful to have GO members who are passionate about maintaining trails. All the lodging and meals for this weekend was paid for by GayOutdoors.

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