Spruce Peak Springtime Hike
Apr 18th, 2010 by Jack
Had a great 8-mile hike just east of Manchester this week on another of the unusually warm April days we’ve been having. Took what’s called the Spruce Peak trail. To reach this trail (which is very near Bromley Mountain), go about 5 miles east of Manchester Center on Route 11/30 (or 1/2-mile west of the intersection of Rt. 11 and Rt. 30). There is signage for the AT/LT, and a large parking lot on the north side of Route 11/30. The Spruce Peak trailhead is on the south side of the road.
My hike took the trail to about 1 mile or so past Spruce Peak, and back. Saw no people, but one large owl who gave me a hoot. The spring-season trail condition was remarkably dry but full of winter debris. Was great to be in the woods. Stopped at the Spruce Peak shelter, which according to the visitor log hasn’t been used since mid-March, and that was by snowshoe-ers. What a difference a month makes, there was just one small snowpile left today. This hike is part of my training for my Grand Canyon trek, just over one month away now.