Big Rock Cave, Brook & Gordon | 9/7/25

Something peculiar happens nearly every time I hike out of Ferncroft. A rescue, a dehydration spell, and a sprained ankle road walk- to name a few. When I unexpectedly ended up hiking alone on Sunday, it was truly no surprise given my history in the area. Thanks to the numerous trails to nowhere and delightful sidehills in the Sandwich Wilderness, this was my 8th time setting out from 113A in search of limited views.

I parked in the Cabin / Brook path lot off 113A, where there was plenty of room for myself and the many foragers who joined me on the trail in the afternoon. The rain from this weekend’s hurricane was slowing as I stepped out of the car, enough so that I forwent the rain jacket heading to Whittin Ridge. I chose this direction entirely to build suspense for the cave, about 3/4 of the way through my day. Cabin trail was delightful and well cared for, even in the upper portion where it follows a side-hill along the steep slopes forming Whittin Ridge. I followed the pointless out-and-back to Lawrence Trail, where I last walked past in the summer of 2021.

Crossing the wilderness boundary on Cabin

As I doubled back and off the ridge, the trail flew alongside Whitin Brook minus the several crossings. While I’d intended to do this loop in the shoulder or winter season, the several crossings kept me back. I did, however, notice a herd path that started before the first water crossing and exited at the last, around 43.93073, -71.32746. I didn’t take the possible water-bypass, but it’s worth making note of for folks looking to bag miles after the crossings get icy.

Big Rock Cave

Come the end of my run to the ascent to Big Rock Cave, I slowed and began to feel the height of today's excitement. The trail was more than accurately named, as several giant erratics formed a handful of easily-accessible cave openings. I wandered around the bigger opening with my flashlight, enjoying the crisper temperatures, and then finalized my ascent of Mt. Mexico.

When I dropped back down, I found the trail to be substantially more eroded than the other side, with evidence of the storms frequently underfoot. Still, the occasional waterbars did a great job catching debris and keeping footing sound throughout the morning.

As I came back down to the car, I was only 7 miles in and unwilling to spend more time in the car than on the trail. With that, I threw some trash in my car and followed the mushroom foragers down the Wonalacet River.

I haven’t fly fished in a few years, but walking down the river along Brook Trail had me wishing I’d come prepared. The first mile of the trail was as beautiful as it was tranquil, and the footpath was consistently easy. As I crossed over the snowmobile trails, the trail changed tune a bit and soon dropped me beside an old Dam and accompanying mill. Plus, a secret waterfall! The trail got slightly more involved along the Dam-side slopes, but never presented a real challenge.

Mill

Old dam

The other end of the trail, far more unassuming than the western side, ended on a long dirt road by some small seasonal homes. I didn’t quite feel like out and backing, so I endured the nearly two-mile road walk back to the car, where I at least got to read the Chinook Kennels sign. 

Never driven slow enough to catch this one

After dropping my poles at the car, I hopped back on the road and walked to the start of the entirely unsigned Gordon Path and felt like I was trespassing. This trail was extremely underwhelming, and begins and ends in completely impractical locations- in my opinion.  Still, though, it was easy enough to run and rounded me out to a full half-marathon of a day.

Because why would we need a sign with words!

At day’s close, it felt great to get so many new miles done, especially since I didn’t anticipate it. With that, I have one more hike in the area: the elusive Tom Wiggin. That’s a story for another day!

Final Stats: 12.86 miles, 2139 gain