Sunday October 9th dawned clear and cool, with forecasts of record highs for the day. I special ordered it for our hike up scenic and out of the way Mt Israel. While other trailheads and mountain peaks in the area were crowded with holiday hikers, we had the trail up Israel almost to ourselves. Why this peak is not more popular is beyond me, but I'm glad it wasn't that popular on Sunday!

Our group of nine met at the Mead Conservation Center trailhead at the end of Diamond Ledge Road in Center Sandwich and started up up the Wentworth trail, 2.1 miles to the summit. The trail is crisscrossed by stone walls and signs of past settlement. This was once part of the Sandwich Notch community, now a ghost town. The trail is  moderate with some steep sections, but nothing terribly difficult. We reached the summit in about 90 minutes and were rewarded with sunny ledges and views of  the Sandwich Range.  We ate our lunches on the ledges and napped in the warm October sun. It was difficult to rouse ourselves for the decent as the sunny ledges were so inviting and sleep inducing.

The descent was quick and uneventful. We stopped at one viewing ledge that offered a glimpse of Red Hill and Squam Lake. The foliage in the forest was no where near peak color, as this year the trees have been slow to change color. Still the forest was quiet and beautiful, with little wind to stir the trees. 

Once at the trailhead we took a scenic five minute detour to Beede Falls. a beautiful cascade and swimming area just off the Sandwich Notch Road. Evidence of post-Irene flooding could be seen but the falls were as beautiful as ever. The water was was warm enough for swimming as Brad showed us! 

Following the hike six of us visited the Sandwich Fair. Frankly it was a bit lackluster as compared to years past. Brad and I enjoyed petting and visiting the farm critters, goats, oxen, pigs and cows. We watch a tractor pull and an oxen demonstration. The fair food was disappointing and expensive but the people watching was free and fun! 

Monday I did a solo hike up The Zealand Trail and the Twinway to bag Zealand Mountain, #36 out of the high 48 for me. It was for me a very rewarding day of hiking, with waterfalls and beautiful views from Zeacliff, and the thrill of bagging another peak. 

Thanks to all the guys who participated in my first hike as trip leader. You made it easy. Hope it was as fun for you as it was for me.

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