Trail Work, FDT & White Ledge | 6/7/25

I don't normally hike in a downpour- but I never said anything about trail work & trail running!

My Saturday began at the Gale River Trailhead with 11 trail adopters for the annual Level 1 training. I recently adopted the Forest Discovery Trail and had yet to be trained on maintenance. I'll spare further details as most of the individuals who will read this are familiar- but I was very grateful for the opportunity to begin helping out!

Setting out on Gale River

The training ended as the rain intensified 3 hours in, and we had worked a mere half mile of the 4-mile trail. On my way back into town, I grabbed lunch from White Mountain Bagel and then visited my trail for the first time. The Forest Discovery Trail is a short but well-used interpretive trail at the foot of the Kancamangus. With a handful of informational signs and directive markings, this trail is great for all ages and very approachable for me as a first-time adopter.

Though the rain was still coming down hard, I set off on the 1.5-mile loop with a rake, rogue hoe, and saw. I cleared my water bars, cut down a tree (this felt awesome), and raked out the bridges. In 2.5 hours, I took a step back and thought about how I could have spent a whole day perfecting every corner! Thankfully, I'd been warned that I should not attempt perfection if I planned to enjoy the work- and called it there.

Clearing out the drainage

Smells amazing out on FDT!

In terms of the trail itself- it's terrific. Short, gravel-lined, and easy to follow. It heavily resembled that of a National Park visitor trail or similar family-friendly ordeal. Just don't let your family leave PBR cans in the drainages... because I didn't like picking those up.

After a solid morning of trail work, I attempted Sawyer River Trail to meet the Hancock Notch intersection. However, the water was impassible at the foot of the falls and I diverted to my backup plan- White Ledge in Albany.

Gorgeous falls on the Swift River- impassible just below

Though I wasn't expecting perfection due to all the bugs and rain, I regrettably did not enjoy White Ledge. I've hiked many trails, I've enjoyed the more rugged ones, and am no stranger to slab. However- this was in rough shape. Each water bar was filled with thick leaf litter; there were countless blowdowns, and even when the maintenance was okay, running water was terrorizing the steep and mossy slabs.

Wicked blow down on White Ledge

As for pros, I did have a pleasant view of Chocorua & the Sisters just before the summit. In many ways, this one felt like Welch Dickey's less popular (for good reason) little sister. Perhaps I would've enjoyed it more in dry conditions, but I don't think I'll be coming back to find out. Wet slab and I don't normally get along- and it was tricky both ways getting through some of those mossy sections along the loop! I was almost positive going clockwise would be best, but I'm not sure the orientation was significant in saving effort.

Descending the White Ledges

As I finished up White Ledge, I was happy to have been able to run the last mile and fill up water at the base. While I didn't love the namesake, I do love White Ledge Campground and enjoyed returning to the smell of campfire.

White Ledge Stats:

4.27 miles

1347 gain