July 17 – Dual Hikes –
Easy Hike is to Redstone Quarry in North Conway, NH (HL – Jeff Sturgis)
Difficult Hike is to South Moat (HL – Gordon Farrell)
More Info:
Redstone Quarry: If you are unfamiliar with this historic landmark and walking trail, start by reading Stephen Swenson’s history of the place posted at https://www.swensonreunion.com/company-history/redstone-quarry-history-trail This page is entangled with information about the Swenson’s Family Reunion, you want the information about the quarry and not the reunion.
Or read the N. Conway Daily Sun’s article from three years ago written by Tom Eastman: https://www.conwaydailysun.com/news/local/redstone-quarry-once-the-pride-of-the-granite-state/article_a63525b6-2b55-11ee-8969-132e12e6e481.html
Or the article from 2024 in New Hampshire Magazine: https://www.nhmagazine.com/redstone-remains-the-abandoned-quarry-lies-hidden-in-the-white-mountains/
The bottom line is this hike is well known and of historic interest in this part of the world. Oline descriptions vary some suggesting the hike is half a mile long and others three and a half miles. We’ll have to wait and see what our trip leader has in mind over the next few days. This discrepancy in distance no doubt results from the fact that the walk up to the quarry intersects with mountain biking trails and it is possible to walk these bike routes and extend the hike considerably.
The trailhead parking lot is just behind the Walmart in N. Conway.
The Redstone Quarry trail. starts at the east end of Hemlock Lane were the tiny red 1 is. There are interpretive signs along the trail. The North Conway Library’s website provides further information: https://conwaypubliclibrary.org/redstone-quarry-trail
South Moat Mountain
The South Moat Mountain Trail is a consistent climb to the peak of South Mout Mountain. Hikers will be faced with a steady climb right up until they meet the summit where they will be treated to sweeping views. It’s 5.6 miles round trip, 2,132 feet of elevation gain. Nice views on top. Definitely not an easy hike though.
The South Moat Mountain Trail is a consistent climb to the peak of South Mout Mountain. Hikers will be faced with a steady climb right up until they meet the summit where they will be treated to sweeping views.
Trailhead and parking area are on Passaconaway Road in Albany, NH. From the junction of Rt. 153 and Rt. 113 in Conway, go north on Washington Street. In 0.2 miles, bear left onto West Side Road. Continue 0.7 miles, then turn left onto Passaconaway Road. The parking area is 3.2 miles down the road, on the right. It is 2.7 miles to South Moat on Moat Mountain Trail. Click here for a Google map. [ maps.app.goo.gl/sgYz7SYnQy ]
Chestnut trees are in blossom
These photos of blossoming chestnut trees were taken by drone July 7th at the Western Maine Land Trust. Imagine what it must have looked like when Chestnut trees were the dominant species in these forests.
Watch for these blossoming trees and if you find one, record a GPS coordinate and pass it along to Jacob so we might check to see that the tree is registered. The American Chestnut Foundation is doing its best to inventory all surviving members of the species.
Tir’em Hike Report Preview
The Denmark Mountain Hikers finally made our first trip up Mt. Tir’em in Waterford for the first time om 2026. We had scheduled the hike several times earlier but weather conditions had led to cancellations.This is only a preview of the full upcoming hike report that will be shared in the coming days
From left to right: Greg Dean, Annelick Marghoebel, Janet Ariens, Sandy Bell, Dale Nelson, Jeff Sturgis, Jacob Schor, Phil Johnson, Robin Marciello, Jean Murch, Tom Dugas, Marji Berkman, Howard Berman, Sharon Berman, Kitty Nelson, Kathy Hutchausen, Peter Sickles. Laura Sullivan took this picture.
On the Summit
The same people but in a different order on the summit.
Laura is often the one who takes our group photo. We would never want to leave her out.
Since we were in Waterford for this hike, it isn’t a big jump to remind you that the Waterford World Fair is coming up this coming week, opening on July 17, 2026. As the first Worlds Fair was held in Waterford in 1852, if I’m doing the math correctly, the tradition is in its 175th year.
Susan sent me this photo of her feet and asked me to share it. Obviously she has cute feet.
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