Middle Sugarloaf: Dusting off the Hiking Boots

Been doing a lot of writing and book “stuff” lately. Couple that with the deluge of rain these last few weeks, and there hasn’t been much time to hit the trail. Looking back on some of the pictures taken of me over this heavy stretch of typing and talking, one thing is clear: I’ve gotten fairly out of shape! All writing and no hiking makes Matt a chubby wanderer.

Middle Sugarloaf: An Easy 52 WAV Mountain

Final Ascent of Middle Sugarloaf

Good thing that’s all about to change. Yesterday, I got out before the rains started and hiked Middle Sugarloaf—one of the “52 With a View” (WAV) mountains in New Hampshire. I decided that, regardless of the forecast, yesterday officially kicked off my summer hiking bonanza, and that there will be no more rain interference going forward. I’m going to will it to be that way. Don’t quote me.

Middle Sugarloaf was an obvious choice. My boys had a baseball game in the area later that day, so I took the day off to make good use of the long drive. For kicks, I decided to climb North Sugarloaf too, figuring the only thing it could hurt was the size of my belly. Middle Sugarloaf is a relatively short climb, so adding a second summit felt reasonable—despite the fact that it’s been a few weeks.

The Sugarloaf Trail

Middle Sugarloaf is a relatively easy hike for the 52 WAV list, and of the twenty-one I’ve done, this might be the easiest so far. At only 1.3 miles, the ascent is fairly gradual despite the short distance. Usually, with a hike that short, you’d expect a steeper climb, but this mountain didn’t put up much of a fight. That made the decision to add North Sugarloaf all the easier.

The 52 WAV mountains have all been winners so far, and Middle Sugarloaf was no exception. The summit features an open expanse with a bald-faced rock outcropping and a picturesque valley of deciduous trees below. My first thought was that this vista would be perfect for some fall foliage photography—especially when the birch leaves glow yellow.

Summit View from Middle Sugarloaf

Bonus: Hitting North Sugarloaf

Even though Middle Sugarloaf is the one on the 52 WAV list, North Sugarloaf shouldn’t be overlooked. Its summit also offers stunning views, and both peaks will reward you with great photo opportunities. Just be careful not to miss the true summit of North Sugarloaf. Near the top, there’s a horseshoe bend after a small open area that could easily be mistaken for the summit. Don’t take the bait!

Don’t miss this hook in the trail or you’ll miss the true summit!

Along the hike, I met several people, including some trail workers. Every year, it feels like there are more and more hikers on the trail, regardless of the destination or season. It’s great to see so many choosing to experience nature and challenge themselves—and finding the kind of gratitude that only comes from taking on a mountain.

Summit View from North Sugarloaf

🥾 Ascent Details

• Trailhead & Parking: Carrol, NH. On Zealand Road, past the first two campgrounds, there is a little parking area before the bridge.
• Route Overview: Sugarloaf Trailhead > Ascend 1.3 miles to Middle Sugarloaf summit (2,539 ft) > backtrack .7 miles to North Sugarloaf Summit > descend 1.2 miles to parking lot
• Total Distance: Approximately 3.2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,034 feet.
• Difficulty: Moderate. But on the whole, the easiest 52 WAV I’ve done to date. Very gradual incline despite the short mileage.
• Estimated Time: 2 hours

The Zealand River provides a beautiful introduction (and closure) to the hike.

In the Mountains

If you’re exploring New Hampshire or other experiences in the mountains, you can find more stories and trip reports at In the Mountains. For a full set of photos and videos, you can see more here.