Welch-Dickey Loop - Moderate hike - Foliage Hike

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POST BEFORE YOU RSVP
Welch and Dickey Loop Trail is a 4.1 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Thornton, NH. It features amazing vistas and beautiful wild flowers. It's rated as moderate and not for beginners. Guests are allowed as long as they agree to all listed in this post.

FOLIAGE TRACKER - It's going to be at the absolute peak this weekend. https://www.visitnh.gov/foliage-tracker Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
4.1 miles - 1800 ft of elevation gain. There are NO professional/trained guides going so hikers assume responsibility for themselves -- each should have appropriate footwear, carry own water/snacks. (and for the winter hikes - extra traction devices if necessary poles, microspikes or Yaktraks) and cold/wet weather gear including hat, gloves, dry socks, fleece, windproof outer layer.

Meet 5:00 am in Rockland to carpool or meet at trailhead in Thornton NH by 8am. This way we beat the traffic.
Hike starts at 830 (read through link to directions at bottom of hike description for trailhead info). Hikers should be in sufficient physical condition to hike several miles, handle steep sections of trail and/or uneven, rocky, slippery surfaces.

PROPER FOOTWEAR AND SUPPLIES MANDATORY - I.E. WATER AND FOOD. YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO COME IF YOU'RE WEARING SNEAKERS AND DON'T HAVE YOUR OWN WATER.

DO NOT come if you have not hiked any sufficient hills (such as the skyline trail in the blue hills) or IF YOU HAVE ANY INJURIES THAT WILL PRECLUDE YOU FROM KEEPING UP WITH THE GROUP. Any questions please contact me.

Directions - From Massachusetts - Head north on Rt 93 to Exit 28 Rt 49. - Bear Right at the end of the ramp onto Rt 49 (that is heading east) - Stay east on Rt 49 approx 5.5 miles and - turn left on Upper Mad River Road. Travel a short distance and turn - right onto Orris Road. - Follow Orris Road for .6 mile taking a right at the fork into a small parking lot. Trail begins there. Link to more details..
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/new-hampshire/welch-and-dickey-loop-trail?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map&ref=sidebar-view-full-map

We'll discuss carpool options as we get closer. It's 2 hours 37 minutes without stops from Plymouth. So you'll have to be on the Road by 5am or so. It's about 2 hours from Boston without stopping. So you'll have to be on the road about 6 am. It's going to be one of the busiest weekends of the year so don't cut it close. Let's plan on tailgating in the parking lot after the hike. BYOB and lunch and we'll have our social hour there. Bring a chair and small table if you can.

If anyone knows of a ski house that some people could stay in work on that very soon and post in the comments. I'll probably be staying up there in Cuzzin Eddy. If I find a campground I'll post that in the comments. Stay tuned on the camping.

LIABILITY WAIVER: As a condition of your voluntary participation in this activity you acknowledge and agree to the following: this activity involves inherent risks that can cause property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death to participants and/or others; you assume all risk associated with this activity; you are responsible for having the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, clothing, and equipment to safely participate in this activity; you know and will follow the Hiker Responsibility Code described at www.hikesafe.com(http://www.hikesafe.com/); the leader(s) of this activity are volunteers; and you for yourself, your heirs, executors, and administrators release, hold harmless, and indemnify the leader(s) and all members of this group from any and all claims for property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death - including those caused by negligence and/or other reasons.