Short But Rewarding Trek to Lookout Ledge in Randolph, NH

INTRODUCTION:

In January of 2017, I hiked to Lookout Ledge in Randolph, NH.   This is a short hike (2.6 miles, round-trip) with an elevation gain of nearly 1,000 ft.   Although the hike is small, hikers get a big reward with the up-close and personal views of the northern Presidential Range.  I often enjoy shorter hikes such as this, every bit as much as hikes that are longer.  But admittedly, it's all a matter of one's personal partialities.

Lookout Ledge is accessible from many points in Randolph, but the Ledge Trail is the most direct route, and it was the one I used for this trek.  And just as a side note, many of the trailheads along Durand Road are unplowed during wintertime.  However, the Ledge Trail parking area had been plowed on the day of my hike.

The Ledge Trail is highlighted on the map below.

Map showing my route to Lookout Ledge

PHOTOS:

Although there are some steep segments of trail, overall the grade is moderate, such as depicted in this photo.

This photo shows one of the steeper sections of the trail.

About 100 yards before arriving at Lookout Ledge you come to the spot shown in this photo.   It's called the "Eyrie" and takes its namesake from the large nest built by birds of prey, usually atop a cliff or high in a tree.

A few minutes after a brief visit at the "Eyrie", I arrived at Lookout Ledge and took this photo.

This photo shows the view from the 'edge of the ledge' at the Lookout Ledge viewpoint.  Peaks in the northern Presidential Range dominate this scene.

A zoomed view of cavernous feature known as King Ravine.

While returning to trailhead parking lot there was this pleasant trailside scene with mountains at upper left and one of the many cabins along Durand Road at center right.

  

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