Davis Boulders and Goodrich Rock

 
Sweet, plump little Dark-eyed Junco

We had one last decision to make our final night in New Hampshire which was, do we leave at 4:30 a.m. (like we did on the way up) the following morning to head back home, or do we take it easy and depart comfortably by 10:00 (check out time)?  I voted to leave at 10, but take it easy?  Sleep in?  No way.  I reasoned, why bother to stay an extra night and wake up in New Hampshire only to leave it?  Come on, one last adventure?  In a pretty surprising move, my husband agreed.  Why rush to just depressingly get back home by 3:00 p.m.?  

We thought back to a sign (pictured below) that we had seen on our last hike to Greeley Ponds:  Davis Boulders/Goodrich Rock.  It's a short hike.  We could get up early, hike, be back to the house around 9, gather up the last of our things, and head back south.  

Let's do it!

The hike description (which I paid a lot closer attention to) said from the parking lot to this sign is 30 minutes, then "the trail winds creatively through a field of large glacial erratic boulders", and ends on top of (yes, on top of!) the last, biggest boulder, Goodrich Rock.  There is a 20 foot ladder to ascend in order to get on top of the boulder, and your reward is the amazing view.  Sold!  Sounds like fun to me.  30 minutes plus .8 mile semi-steep climbing.  I'm in.

Overall, the hike was pretty easy although it did have some steep sections mixed in.  It was short as promised though. We arrived quickly at the Davis Boulders which is considered to be a favorite place for children as they can pass through the gigantic broken chunks of granite which have a cave like feel to them.

Massive boulders began popping up out of nowhere.

The kids did love climbing through,

around, 

and over the huge rocks.

Beautiful tentacle like tree roots cascaded over this boulder.

Carrying on toward Goodrich Rock.

Warrior Call over some final tough terrain.

When we finally reached Goodrich Rock were amazed at the size of it and the huge ladder.  My husband went up first, followed by me.  The kids wanted nothing to do with it, and frankly, I don't blame them.  It's 20 feet straight up and not for the faint of heart.  And as any good climber knows, getting up is relatively easy, but having to look back down in order to go back down is another story.  

Note:  we were using zoom lens, so you don't exactly get the perspective on  just how high it is, but you get the idea.

Here we go!

I did it! Whew!

Behold!

Another magical view

The ski slopes

This tree held the sweetest surprise for me:

This little guy flew in and landed right on top!

Not bad for our last hurrah in New Hampshire!  No, we're already planning our return trip for this fall!  So, it's our last hurrah for now 😉

Check out my other New Hampshire Posts:

Mt. Osceola- Our first 4,000 footer

Mt. Tecumseh- Back to back 4,000 ft?!

Cascade Path

Bear Brook State Park

Greeley Ponds

Not just hiking