The Denmark Mountain Hikers climbed Middle Sister, and beyond, in Albany, New
Hampshire on Friday, September 11, 2026. Eleven hikers gathered at the Champney Falls trailhead on the Kancamagus Highway. Hiking today were Greg Moulton, Louise Jensen, Jean Murch, Laura Sullivan, Patti Brady, Jim Wilson, Doug Quist, Robin Marciello, Polly Lombardi, Linda Seiler, and Trudy Dunn, with Willow the energetic hiking dog.Some of the group expressed a desire to extend the hike to Mt. Chocorua.
They also still wanted to do Middle Sister. (Something about the “52 With-A-View” list…) So we started out all together on the Champney Falls Trail at 9:40 AM. The weather was ideal for hiking: Clear blue sky, temperatures in the 50s and 60s, no humidity, a light breeze. A perfect bluebird hiking day. The trail was quite easy to start. It follows an old road with very moderate elevation gain, and good footing. There were a few rocks and roots to remind us that we were in New Hampshire, but mostly easy walking. Of course, this was just to soften us up for the steeper, rougher trail to come. There are three stream crossings early on, but in current dry conditions, we just walked across easily with dry feet.
At one point, an active and agitated dog joined us, with no owner in sight. We spent some time trying to find the owner, and deciding what to do about the dog. Finally, the owner showed up, and it was none other than Sheldon Ashby! Sheldon is well known to the group, having hiked with us many times. After he regained control of his dog, there was some talk of joining our group, but eventually Sheldon, his hiking companion, and his newly reunited canine headed off on their own, presumably to conquer Chocorua.
We continued upward, and the trail did indeed get steeper and rougher. There were some nice stone steps in places, which we appreciated. Further up, some switchbacks provided welcome relief. As we approached Middle Sister, we encountered open ledges, and some nice views opened up. One of our group decided to pass on the summit, and waited for us below. The rest of us reached the beautiful open summit of Middle Sister at 12:30 PM. There were spectacular views in all directions, also an interesting stone tower. We spent 30 minutes on top, eating lunch, taking pictures, and admiring the view.
We then headed down, climbed over the beautiful open summit of First Sister, and reached the junction with the Champney Falls Trail. Here the group divided. Six hikers chose to go for Chocorua, and headed up. The remaining four of us headed down, and met with the hiker who had waited below the summit. Now a group of five, plus Willow, descended at a good pace and reached the parking lot at 3:45 PM.
Next Week’s Hike: Sept 18, 2026
Bald Ledges
Bald Ledge – Sept 18, 2026
Easy – Bald Ledge Preserve Trail (1,187 ft), Porter, ME – 1.4 mi RT, 400 ft elevation gain. RT hiking 1 hour. RT driving 2 hours.
Directions to the Danforth Lane Trailhead coming from the north: From Brownfield take Main Street/Brownfield Road/Eaton Road for 5.5 miles from the junction with Route 5/113 towards NH, turn south (left) on Porter Road for 2.2 miles. Porter Road becomes Kennard Hill Road – follow it for 1.6 miles to Danforth lane. The Francis Small Heritage Trust trailhead is ¼ mile off Danforth Lane where there is a parking at the trailhead.
Five of us hiked Bald Ledge in May 2024 in the rain. On that hike we discovered a new trail that descends the other side of the ledge and goes to a new trailhead on the Colcord Pond Road. After summiting. We continued and descended the new trail. Jacob, Dale and Jeff continued on some old discontinued roads, not all together certain where they were going but managed to circumnavigate the ledge and, after 2.7 miles, found themselves again at the Danforth Lane Trailhead. So, we have two options next week: those who wish to can choose to go to the summit and return on the Baldhead Preserve Trail for an easy out and in hike of 1.4 miles or, those who wish for a longer hike can continue down the new Bald Ledge Summit Trail and hike a loop around the ledge for a hike of 2.7 miles.
Leave a comment