Mt Agamenticus - Oct 13, 2013

Mount Agamenticus: a good introductory hike: short, (2.2 mi round trip by the "Turtle Loop",) a little climbing, (692 ft,) but no hand-over-hand, and facilities at the summit! We parked at the bottom and started up the Ring trail and followed it in a clockwise direction to the Witch Hazel trail that leads to the summit. We had a nice picnic, enjoyed the view, took some pictures of the a spectacular 360° view, and returned down the East side of the mountain.

more at: http://a-pied-a-cheval-et-a-velo.blogspot.com/2013/10/hiking-mt-agamenticus.html

The "Turtle Loop" is a relatively easy interpretive loop with some more or less gentle ups and downs and some rocky and rooty areas, especially where it steepens. All trails are very well marked
Judy reads one of the many descriptions of flora and fauna lining the Turtle Loop.
On the Ring trail: a glimpse down a stream bed to the White Mountains
On the Witch Hazel trail leading to the summit, the going gets a little steeper and more rugged, but not bad at all.
The summit of Mt Agamenticus is mostly treeless, but a great variety of grasses and shrubs grow exuberantly between the rocky outcroppings.

The summit has more the look of a post-glacial meadow than a wild and woolly mountaintop.
And, (How civilized can you get?) a lodge at the top! not to mention porta-potties and picnic tables.
Looking Northwesterly toward the White Mountains

Looking East to the Atlantic Ocean Cape Neddick just behind the right branch of the tree, and Cape Ann off in the distance on the right.
Looking West to the White Mountains

View of the White Mountains from below Vulture's View