1/28/10 Cedar Swamp Mountain

We started from the carriage road near the Brown Mountain entrance, planning to take the Sargent Mountain S. Ridge Trail to Cedar Swamp Mountain and return. Dense clouds at the start but we did get some sunny breaks before it completely clouded over again.The trail up Sargent (one of our favorites) was quite good as someone had gone through on snowshoes prior to the big rain and the snow was firm. Beautiful open views and the mountain to ourselves--very peaceful. Once we got to Cedar Swamp Mountain we decided to continue on to the Amphitheater Trail and take that down to the carriage road and return that way. We both prefer loops to out and back and If I stop on a trail and just turn around Kelley gives me a disappointed look or just sits down to indicate her displeasure. Amphitheater was another story--no one had preceded us and the snow was deeper and softer causing me to sink thigh deep in spots (luckily Kelley was able to stay on top of the snow for the most part). The trail drops quickly to Little Harbor Brook which it then follows quite closely. Following the trail without ending up in the water was a challenge and in places we descended on our butts. It was beautiful anyway. When we reached the carriage road we took that back to where we had parked. 3 hours


Sargent Mtn. S. Ridge Trail





Cedar Swamp Summit



Amphitheater Trail