Lincoln Trail to Clark's Lookout

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

The Flying Goos and Little Brother Burger Company are awesome places to grab lunch after. Coffee in New London: Grounds (local option) and Dunkin in New London or in Warner: Cafe One East (local option) and Dunkin. No restroom access.

Start at the Lincoln Trail trailhead off of Kearsarge Valley Rd. The Lincoln Trail is part of the Sunapee Ragged Kearsarge (SRK) greenway and is clearly marked with green and white reflective blazes.

The first half mile is a winding narrow trail through an awesome boulder field. (See Mountain Project for some bouldering routes that I have been putting up). There are some minor obstacles consisting of protruding boulders and rocks that may be a challenge with full-length skis (I've been using a pair of 120 cm LL Bean Boreal ski shoes).

The next mile is a logging road that is part of a well-trafficked snowmobile trail. Fortunately, the snowmobile trail turns about a quarter mile up the logging road to the right up Gage Hill. An occasional snowmobile wanders up the remainder of the logging road in my experience. The timber harvest information sign means you are halfway up the logging road. Once you reach the bridge, you are nearly to the top of the logging road and the steepest grade of the climb occurs for about 100 yards. Lincoln Trail hangs a 90-degree left-hand turn.

The last half-mile to the lookout gets narrow again through pines and spruce. There is a small downhill slide to a double-log creek crossing. Then uphill and fairly straight up to the Lookout/Lincoln Trail fork. A righthand turn will take on a traverse of Black Mountain up to Kearsarge. For this line, turn left for the Lookout. The lookout is about 200 yards and goes downhill slightly. The lookout does have a near vertical ledge so watch out.

The lookout is hard to miss. Obviously the view, but there is a rebar pole with the Stars and Stripes flying. Rumor it was placed there by an Iraqi War vet who lays up there with a rifle scoping the valley. There is a golf course/country club down in the valley below. If true and unloaded, cool monocular bro.

So the ascent is finished. Enjoy the view and take comfort knowing that you are likely not sighted in someone's scope. Awesome views of King's Hill, Meeting House Hill, Croydon Peak, Grantham Mountain, Sunapee, New London.

This is my first submission and first backcountry ski experience. The bug has bit and I want better gear but until then, I will make do with my ski shoes and dream of getting backcountry skis for next season. Great beginner run with the ski shoes. Keeps a nice slow descent with the built-in permanent skin.