Typically, I only report on recent mountain visits, but I wanted to share this one because it was one of the truly great climbs I had this past year. It was mid-December, and a fair amount of snow was on the ground, but the sun poked through the clouds, making for one of the finest summit views I’ve ever experienced in the White Mountains. Allow me to present Hedgehog Mountain.
After a fortuitous consult with Steve Smith at The Mountain Wanderer, I opted for Hedgehog Mountain over Potash Mountain. Originally, I was going to try Potash, which heads out from the same trailhead as Hedgehog, but Steve advised against it. As often is the case with December in New Hampshire, the weather was toggling between early snow, cold rains, and frequent warmups. The previous week brought a lot of rain and warming temperatures, and with that, an early winter melt. As a result, crossing Downes Brook would likely be a mess from the runoff—too high to stay dry, Steve predicted. When it comes to hiking in the Whites, it’s good to trust in Steve, so I took his advice and opted for Hedgehog instead.
On the UNH Trail in December
The UNH Trail Up Hedgehog
The UNH Trail was slushy, with a good layer of ice underneath, making spikes a good move. The conditions were not ideal and made for an unusually laborious hike for a smaller mountain, but the views were totally worth it. When I arrived at the summit, storm clouds played overhead, and the tiniest little bit of rain fell, but it only enhanced the visual as the sun blasted through at all the right times.
Looking out from the summit viewpoint, a large peak towers overhead: Passaconaway. There are several mountains on the 52 With a View list that take in Passaconaway as the primary visual, but it’s particularly stunning from Hedgehog. Especially when light rays cast down on the valley below, illuminating pine trees as if they were painted by a divine artist’s brush.
I’d really like to go back here.
The 52 With a View
Maybe it was because of the way the light broke through, but Hedgehog quickly became one of my favorites on the 52 With a View list. It is definitely on the “return-to” list.
If you’re tackling New Hampshire’s 52 With a View mountains, or are just looking for a good hike, you definitely want to put this one on your list. I’d consider going this weekend, but I hear it’s been super crowded in the area lately. Decisions, decisions. I’m not sure I want to risk a mob scene. Still, I bet Hedgehog is looking pretty sweet right now.
Before the summit is another ledge, where I enjoyed full sun before the storm clouds rolled in.
Ascent Details: Hedgehog Mountain (UNH Trail Loop)
- Location: Kancamagus Highway, Lincoln, NH
- Trailhead: Downes Brook parking area (UNH Trail)
- Route: UNH Trail Loop (I recommended going counterclockwise)
- Distance: ~4.8 miles round trip
- Elevation: 2,542 ft
- Elevation Gain: ~1,300 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time: 3–4 hours (average)
- Best Seasons: Spring through fall; microspikes recommended in winter
- Highlights: Open ledges, views of Passaconaway, Chocorua, and the Sandwich Range