If you live in
the vicinity of Twin Mountain, or just there for a visit, the Flat Iron Cross
Country Ski Trail is something to consider when you want a wintertime adventure
that is short and simple. This 1.3 mile
loop trail will lead you through some attractive woods, and along the banks of the
Zealand River. There are even a couple
of spots along the route where there is a bench to sit and enjoy a view
overlooking North and Middle Sugarloaf Mountain.
Although this corridor
is designated as a cross country (XC) ski trail, it can also be enjoyed by respectful
snowshoers who stay well off to the side of the trail so as not to spoil the
tracks used by skiers. Regardless of whether
you choose to use snowshoes or skis, you will need to start off by carrying
whatever you choose! As many readers
know, in winter months, you need to park your car at the lot on the north side
of Route 302 and then walk 0.2 mile westward to reach the entrance of Zealand
Road. (The trailhead for the
Flat Iron Trail is located just slightly beyond the Zealand Road gate.)
I've
skied the Flat Iron Trail many times. However, on this particular day, I opted to
snowshoe it. Upon arrival at the
trailhead, there was no evidence of any fresh tracks laid down by skiers. However, since I'm a skier and want to be
respectful to other skiers, I still took some care to walk where I wouldn't
ski, if that makes any sense!
Besides enjoying the trek through the woods,
and along river, plus admiring the picturesque vista of the Sugarloaf mountains,
there is one other aspect to this short trek which might be of interest to some
readers. The northern leg of this trail, which runs
parallel to the Ammonooscuc River, was once part of an old road that ran from
the village of Twin Mountain to the area known as Fabyan.
To get precise details about the
location of this old road, I would encourage you to read an excellent article
written by Joanne P. Jones that appears on the WhiteMountainHistory.org website
(click HERE
for the link to the article). By reading this article, you will also learn why
this old road is often referred to as the "Glacial Ridge Road".
Here are a few snapshots
taken while trekking along the Flat Iron XC Trail on 29-Jan-2013.
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| Trailhead Sign |
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| Segment of Flat Iron Trail winding its way through a conifer forest |
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| Trailside view of Zealand River |
 |
| Another trailside view of Zealand River |
 |
| View of North and Middle Sugarloaf Mountain and a portion of Mt. Hale |
 |
| Bench along the trail for sitting and enjoying the view |
Okay, this last
photo is my "point & shoot" camera's way of showing off its ability
to zoom. :-)
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| Highly-zoomed view of Mt Washington taken from roadside near trailhead for Flat Iron XC-Trail |
All these years and I've never walked the Flat Iron trail. I'll have to get out there sometime soon! Thanks for that great link by Joanne Jones, too - quite a bit of history out there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting your comments, Chris!
DeleteAnd you are so right about there being a lot of history here in northern NH. Unlike other regions, a lot of our history requires some research and field work to uncover. All of which adds to the fun and thrill of discovery.
The little Flat Iron loop is best enjoyed as a winter trek since the southern portion of the loop can be boggy and brushy during warm-weather months. However, pretty much all year round, one can enjoy a trek on the northern portion of the loop along the esker (glacial ridge), as well as a small segment of the trail along the Zealand River at the western end of the loop.
Although not mentioned in this report, if you have more time to spare, this small hike can be made a bit longer by walking (during winter months) about 0.7 miles up Zealand Road to do the short loop around Wildlife Pond (trailhead located nearly opposite trailhead for Sugarloaf Trail).
John
John, how far have you walked on the fire road (at least I think its a fire road) across from the Sugarloaf trailhead parking lot. I've gone out there in the summer, lots of bear and moose droppings. Do you know where it ends up?
ReplyDeleteHi . . . sorry for the somewhat delayed reply.
DeleteAs I understand it, the corridor almost directly across from the Sugarloaf trailhead is primarily used by snowmobilers who are following Corridor 11 which almost immediately heads nearly due north from that point. However, I think you’re referring to the corridor that branches off almost immediately from Corridor 11 and heads almost due east, and then turns southeasterly. I’ve never followed it to the end, but am told that it eventually ends at a point that is at the base of Mt. Echo (the eastern most peak in the Rosebrook Range).
There is an interesting point along this corridor that you’re asking about. Within about a mile from leaving the Sugarloaf trailhead, look for a small cairn adjacent to a pathway leading off to your left. It will take you to a rock climber’s trail at the base of Mt. Oscar. In August 2012, I posted a brief Blog report about this (see link below).
http://1happyhiker.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-two-hour-romp-in-zealand-valley-mt.html
If you have more questions, please feel free to contact me by e-mail at nikldrum AT myfairpoint DOT net.
John