New Hampshire
This Trail in White Mountain National Forest is Worth the Climb
When considering a hike, many often look at the payoff. For photographers, this may be the views along the way, especially at a summit. Those looking to use a hike as a way to fulfill their daily exercise goal look for the length and difficulty of a trail. Some merely look for a flat, easy trail so they can pop on some headphones and zone out for a few hours. Others want a trail with some history and/or excitement along the way.
In truth, there are fewer people than one might expect who view hiking as a hobby and not as a means to an end. These people are actually surprisingly easy to spot, because these are the people who take those hard hikes that aren’t famous on social media and remain off the beaten path. The Hancock Trail in New Hampshire, as it happens, is a great example of such a hike that hobbyist hikers choose for the love of the activity.
The trail is located in the White Mountain National Forest, an area that was once one of the most remote in New Hampshire before a highway system was established. This remote status means that parking is free, but note that there are no bathrooms. It also means that the area is popular for camping and seasonal activities such as snowshoeing, so you may be surprised by how many locals and tourists visit the trail/area. Taking just over nine miles to complete, this loop hike is not for the faint of heart. Although when considering the trail as a whole, one could find it to be of moderate difficulty, the truth is that many miles of it are flat, but other parts are so steep that scrambling is required, and the hike does require 2,600 feet in elevation gain.
Hikers recommend doing this hike in a clockwise fashion. During the trek, which takes about six hours, you’ll walk through forests, pass over rivers, and scramble up mountains to reach two summits with pleasant views of the surrounding mountains before you loop back around to the parking lot. Although, as mentioned, good amounts of the trail are flat and other parts can be dangerous—especially on the South Mountain, where the rocks are known to be loose. To get up safely, it’s recommended to use the protruding roots as handholds if you find yourself in a particularly steep area. You can also bring hiking poles and, of course, wear sturdy footwear.
For those looking for pictures, the two summits offer lovely views, especially during fall foliage season. For those looking for a great workout, you’ve certainly got one. For those looking for an easy trail to listen to music and zone out on, well, it’s not an easy trail, but you could certainly still use your headphones. Finally, for those looking for excitement, this trail may be a bit long for you, but the steep sections are certainly a thrill in and of themselves. Then, for those hikers using this trail for the love of the hobby (perhaps looking for a bit of everything), it’ll be easy to enjoy the variety of experiences that the Hancock Trail and the surrounding White Mountain National Forest offer!
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BOW, NH — Bow police and fire and rescue teams were sent to a crash on Sunday afternoon, not far from a previous crash earlier this month.
At 2:30 p.m., Concord Fire Alarm reported a crash involving multiple vehicles not far from the intersection of Page Road and Clinton Street. About 10 minutes later, a battalion commander told dispatch there were three vehicles involved and two patients were being evaluated. Dispatch asked if EMTs needed a retone for an engine, and the commander said, “Yeah, why don’t you send them.”
News 603 posted a video from the crash scene on Facebook, linked here.
Just before 3 p.m., EMTs cleared the scene after reporting the patients refused transport.
The crash site was not far from a crash on May 1 that sent one driver to Concord Hospital. In July 2024, a fatal motorcycle accident, which took the life of Joseph Kasper of Weare, occured not far from the location of Sunday’s crash.
Not long after, Concord Fire and Rescue teams were sent to a downed tree on Merrimack Street by School Street.
The tree was knocked down after a small storm moved through the region around 2:45 p.m.
New Hampshire
Photo Exhibit | Art Talk | Crew Competition | Nashua Genealogy Club | More: Week Ahead Events
NASHUA, NH — Here is the week ahead roundup.
Get out, New Hampshire.
Event listings are free on one Patch site. You can share your calendar info on other community sites for a modest fee, starting at 25 cents per day. To get started, visit the Events link on the front page of all Patch sites. Statewide calendar roundups are published on most Sundays and Wednesdays. Visit any of the 223 New Hampshire Patch Event sites (patch.com/map/new-hampshire) for updated listings.
Join us for a community conversation exploring how land conservation supports thriving communities, healthy ecosystems, and local economies. Recent research from Maine highlights the growing economic value of conserved lands — from supporting recreation, forestry, agriculture, and tourism to protecting clean water, storing carbon, and strengthening climate resilience. The findings reveal something important: protecting natural landscapes is not only good for the environment, but also for the people and communities that depend on them.
Together, we’ll explore what this research means both regionally and here at home. How do conserved lands shape our quality of life, local economy, and sense of place? How can communities balance growth, conservation, and long-term sustainability? And what role can each of us play in protecting the landscapes that support both nature and people?
At each “Let’s Talk Nature” gathering, we share a short article in advance and come together for an informal, welcoming discussion. Each session stands on its own, and everyone is welcome. No expertise needed. Bring your curiosity and a willingness to listen and share. Drinks and cookies provided.
Read this session’s article: Conserved Land in Maine has Growing Economic Power
Grey Rocks Conservation Center
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM on Wed, 1 Jul 2026
Event Supported By
Newfound Lake Region Association
603-744-8689
info@NewfoundLake.org
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