I’ve always liked hiking alone, but the social aspects of group hiking recently have been brought to my attention (thanks, Cathy!). In short, group hikes might be a good way to meet single women (or your gender of choice), especially the active, outdoorsy type.

It’s not the first time a woman has told me to take a hike, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. Besides, think of how many songs there are about love and walking?So suddenly I’m paying more attention to such things, and along in my inbox lands the following announcement:

SUNAPEE-RAGGED-KEARSARGE GREENWAY COALITION 2008 SUMMER HIKES

    The Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge (SRK) Greenway Coalition has planned 12 summer walks and hikes both on and off the Greenway trail.  The purpose of the hikes is to see and enjoy our part of New Hampshire.  Please contact the leader for start time and location.  Ample water and snacks are essential, as are good walking shoes or boots. Key: E, easy; M, moderate; D, difficult.
    Greenway guidebooks are available at local book stores.  The SRK Greenway Coalition is a ten-town, all-volunteer non-profit organization with members throughout the SRK region and beyond. For more details see www.srkg.com.

JUNE HIKES:
June 21( Sat)  Wayne Nicoll (735-5721)  On SRK Greenway Trail #13, a hike from Chalk Pond in Newbury to Wadleigh State Park in Sutton. 5.4 miles (M)

June 28 (Sat)  Charlie Killam (526-4467) Climb Mt. Cardigan (3,121 ft.) From the east starting at the AMC Lodge in Alexandria, ascending Mt. Firescrew, and then over to Mt. Cardigan.  Allow all day.  Meet locally and car pool to the AMC  lodge.  (D)

JULY HIKES
July 5 (Sat)  Barbara Dziura (763-4729)  Mt. Sunapee Summit Trail from State Park lodge parking. 4.2 miles. (M)

July 12 (Sat)  Brian Faughnan (526-7838)  Explore Farnum Hill Reservation in Lebanon.
Meet locally and car pool to trailhead.  4 miles (M)

July 15th (Tue) Gerry Gold (526-2857) Ragged Mountain, Greenway Trail #9 from Proctor Academy, Andover.  6.1  miles.  (D)
 
July 19 (Sat) Frank Perrotta (763-9380) Enjoy NH Trails Day. Hike the Fishersfield Park trails in Newbury, including visits to original settlement sites.  3 miles.  (E)

July 26 (Sat) Andy Hager (526-2846) In New London, a hike in a loop from Great Brook Bridge to Devils Half Acre Pond, to Perley Road, over Morgan Hill, and back on the new NLCC Dura Crockett trail.  7 miles. (M)

AUGUST HIKES
Aug 10 (Sun) Brent Scudder (763-0187) Visit the Newport Town Forest.  Hike from Coit Peak and The Pinnacle south to the high school.  3  miles. (E)

Aug 16 (Sat) Ralph Spofford (526-6568) Climb 3 small mountains overlooking Newfound Lake via the Elwell and Bear Mtn trails.  5 miles.  Meet locally and car pool to the trailhead..  (M)

Aug 17 (Sun) Art Robbins (927-4377) A morning walk on Class 6 and town sections of historic Old Province Road, arriving at Sutton’s Old Home Day celebration.  5 miles.  (E)

Aug 22 (Fri) Ann and Marc Davis (927-4596) In Springfield, join Ann and Marc for another late summer hike to a different section of their property “Woods Without Gile.”   Cookies and lemonade to follow hike.  (E to M.)

Aug 23 (Sat) Dave Cook (526-9057) “Hypotenuse Hike”: From Great Brook in New London through Wilmot Flat to Winslow Site below Mt. Kearsarge, using SRK trails and town roads. 10 miles.  (D)