Elevation gain: 650 feet
Trails used: Quarry Trail, Lakeview Trail.
Highlight(s): old mining quarry, views from ledges along the Lakeview Trail.
Lately, I haven't had the energy or ambition to do bigger, longer hikes so I recalled hearing about this little hike from someone who had done it recently so I figured I would head over and give it a look. Finding the trailhead parking area was not bad as it is signed like the trailhead areas for Mount Major or some of the other Belknap peaks. It was a bit on the cool side for a late fall day but it was sunny and clear so what views I would find would be on the nice side.
Lockes Hill is located in Gilford, New Hampshire. There are two trails to use to access this peak with a third possible trail coming from the south where there are some residential homes. There is a mailbox at the trailhead parking area that has maps available if needed. There are views from the ledges below the summit of Lockes Hill along the Lakeview Trail and you could probably poke around for views from the actual summit.
The start of the Quarry Trail at the Lockes Hill Trailhead parking area. Apparently a school bus turns around here. In winter, there is a snow berm that blocks this area.
The gated off Quarry Trail, which is right around the corner from the trailhead parking area.
Make sure to follow the blue blazes which denote the Quarry Trail. Both trails (Quarry Trail and Lakeview Trail) are populated with interpretive signs with information on the history of the area. A perfect hike for children.
Information on the aspens in this area and re-growth efforts.
Information on the ice storm of 1998.
An old quarry site is left over from the past leaving behind a man made watering hole, perfect for different kinds of animals and reptiles.
Information on mast producing trees.
The mighty acorn.
The types of animals that live in the ledge outcroppings in the area.
Information on the oak trees in the area.
Still continuing along the Quarry Trail as I near the summit of Lockes Hill.
This airplane beacon resides on the summit of Lockes Hill (elevation: 1057 feet).
I began the hike back down the Lakeview Trail, passing more interpretive signs. I managed to get pictures on the way up, but skipped quite a few on the way down.
Pileated Woodpeckers.
The views from the ledges below the summit of Lockes Hill looking towards Mount Shaw and the Ossipee Range and a few of the islands on Lake Winnipesaukee.
The views from the ledges below the summit of Lockes Hill looking towards Mount Washington, which made an appearance today.
These binoculars on the ledges below the summit of Lockes Hill are free to use so it made it easy to spot far off peaks.
An insane amount of cairns and rock furniture on the ledges below the summit of Lockes Hill.
Information on what happens to the trees as they die.
The other end of the loop hike starts here for the Lakeview Trail, which has some switchbacks that lead to the ledges above.
Kimball Wildlife Forest, located in Gilford, New Hampshire.
I actually did not wear blaze orange for this hike today, but I highly doubt I would have needed it as the trail itself is pretty popular with hikers and nary a gunshot was heard through the whole hike. I never saw much sign of any deer in the area either. The views from the ledges on the Lakeview Trail are some of the best in the area, minus the views from Mount Major and on a nice day this hike could be a popular area.
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