The group of five of us (three humans, two dogs) decided to drive from Massachusetts to hike the Welch-Dickey Loop on July 9th. It was a cloudless, clear, dry summer day. Absolutely perfect for this hike. Bugs were non-existent the entire way.

There were a couple New Hampshire Park Rangers at the parking lot who recommended that we hike the trail in the counterclockwise direction. We paid our $5 day parking pass and away we went.

When we arrived at the first overlook, we saw Welch ahead of us, looking imposing and intimidating. I imagine that there has been more than one beginner hiker, at this point, that turned around and went back. As we are relatively experienced by now, we pressed on. 

Some of the sheer granite rock faces on the way up to the Welch summit were very steep. There was one bald face where I did not dare stop to look down. This was likely one of the two places that I had to stop to catch my breath for about 30 seconds when I reached the top of the face (hey, give me a break, I’m pushing 70!). There were a couple locations where we even had to lift the dogs up a high granite block.

The views from both mountains were incredible. It was a little windy on the Dickey summit and, because of the lack of trail markers, we had a bit of difficulty finding the loop trail down. Hiking  down from Dickey was much less steep than the ascent. 

We finished the loop in 4 hours and 10 minutes. I certainly would not attempt this hike in wet or icy conditions, but I am sure that there are those who have. 

I notched another two of the 52 With a View, but, with only 6 completed, I have a very long way to go.

We are now halfway done with the Six Pack of Peaks New England Challenge. Next hike for the Challenge is up and over Killington on July 15th, then Camel’s Hump and Mount Mansfield.

We are making progress!