Ragged Mountain - Ragged Mountain-East Peak: 6/15/2014

Mileage: 7.65
Elevation gain: 2400'
Trails used: Ragged Mountain Trail, Ridge Trail.


I decided to head out for some another nice hike on Sunday, and after a few prospect peak hikes that turned into busts due to property issues, the easiest choice was to stay close to home and hike Ragged Mountain.

Ragged Mountain is located in Danbury and Andover, New Hampshire and is home to the Ragged Mountain Ski Area (which is on it's western most summit).  The high point of the ridge, The Pinnacle, is located on it's eastern most summit,  and is wooded with no views save from a ledge area a ways down from the summit.

Ragged Mountain is traversed by the Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway (SRKG).  I found this trail to be sub-par; drainage issues in various spots and lack of blazing in other's which could lead one astray.  You really have to pay attention to the white blazes that are there to make your way to the summit.  

I decided I wanted to take the Ragged Mountain Trail up.  The trail head starts just below the tennis courts at Proctor Academy.

I wasn't paying attention and ended up on a cross country (I think) ski trail that I still used to get to the Ragged Mountain Trail.

Another part of the ski trail that I walked along and the bridge going over a small brook.

Finally back on the Ragged Mountain Trail.  It get's steep in a few spots but nothing ever too bad that it's tough to do.

The trail is grown-in in spots and you cross several old logging roads so pay attention!

Once on the West Ridge Trail, you hike along side a recent logged area in between the West and East peaks of Ragged Mountain.

Part of the West Ridge Trail that goes over a false bump before it drop's down into the col between the two peaks on the ridge.

Looking at the communications array from the actual high point/summit of Ragged Mountain's west peak (elevation 2225').

Ragged Mountain Ski Area's main lift to the summit area.  

Views looking towards Mount Cardigan from the ski area on top of Ragged Mountain's western peak.

Views looking east towards the Belknap Mountains.

There is two very steep sections in the col between the two summits.  They went straight down/up and would be difficult to ascend in icy conditions.

The views looking back to Ragged Mountain's ski area.

Mount Kearsarge view from a ledge area on the way back to the Ragged Mountain Trail.

Looking towards Croydon and Grantham Mountains and it's awesome ledgy ridge. 

Another view of Mount Kearsarge from a different side of the mountain.

The high point/summit for Ragged Mountain's east summit (elevation 2286').

Once I hit both summits it was time to head back down the Ragged Mountain Trail.

This time I followed the trail all the way down and didn't have to use any cross country ski trails or bushwhack down.

A nice hike on a mountain that I have never hiked even though it's really close to where we live.  There was a nice wind blowing that kept the bugs at bay and it was pleasant and a touch humid but a nice day to be out.  I would recommend this hike but one would need to pay attention to where the trails diverge as you could get lost easily if you're not paying attention.