Round Mountain - Slope Mountain
Location: Chatham, New Hampshire
Mileage: 8.10 Miles
Elevation Gain: 1580 Feet
Trails Used: Slippery Brook Trail, Bushwhack
Views: None, Wooded Summits
Hiking Lists: None
Brian was taking an off day from hiking, and Desi was doing trail work in the Belknap's, so I would be hiking alone. The days hike would probably not be too fun as the threat of rain would be around most of the day and the chance for views, if any, would be limited. Combine that with a road walk and bushwhack and it was going to be a long day in the woods for two peaks separated by about a mile. The drive to the trailhead for the Mountain Pond Trail was slow and when I got there and started to gear up the black flies were already swarming. They, along with drizzle and overcast skies, would be around for the majority of this hike.
I walked around the gate outside the parking area for the Mountain Pond Trail as I made my way to the end of Slippery Brook Road.
The actual start of the Slippery Brook Trail, which starts off as an old wood's road. I did not stay on it long before I headed into the woods to bushwhack to the summit of Round Mountain.
Easy walking along the Slippery Brook Trail with Round Mountain coming into view.
The woods were wide open as I approached the summit of Round Mountain.
One of a few possible summit high points for Round Mountain, elevation 2172 feet.
I headed down into a marshy area in between Round Mountain and Slope Mountain in open woods. I had to cross Mcdonough Brook which wasn't too hard.
The woods on the summit of Slope Mountain, elevation: 2026 feet were a bit scrappy and there were three bumps that could contend for the highest point.
This small cairn is not the high point of Slope Mountain. Proof though that people have been up on this peak.
I followed various old logging roads and snowmobile trails down from Slope Mountain as I made my way back to the car.
One of several beaver ponds I had to hike around or climb across the dam so I could make it back to my car. It was very swampy and wet in between Round Mountain and Slope Mountain.
At first, on my way back, I wanted to angle more towards Mountain Pond and then use the hiking trail to get back to the car. The numerous old logging roads would make that task more difficult, so I just opted to make a bee line back to where I parked instead of trying to find the trail. Once again, while changing my shoes, the black flies were even worse at this point, so it was a hurry and get in the car and take off kind of thing, effectively ending today's hikes.
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