Spencer Smith Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views

This hike is anything but easy or boring. You'll need to stay mentally focused to negotiate the singletrack with lots of rocks and roots. It starts at the Spencer Smith trailhead on Rt 126 in Strafford. The trail begins gradually , but quickly turns fairly steep with loose rocks and tough footing for the first 0.4 miles.

After that the trail flattens out a bit, still going gradually uphill over singletrack with plenty of rocks and roots to keep you on your toes. At around the 3/4 mile mark there's a good view to the southeast where you can see Newington. At 1.1 miles you'll reach the 7 foot tall summit cairn.

Continue downhill over the back side of the mountain for another 3/4 mile to get a spectacular view of Bow Lake. Pay attention on this section because the trail makes a couple of abrupt turns that can be easy to miss. Great for snowshoeing in the winter. 3.5 miles & 800 ft elevation round trip.

I have seen hawks, owls, rabbits and a porcupine. Lots of blueberries in the summer.