Three Generations Atop the Mountain
West Rattlesnake Mountain near Holderness, N. H., is a 1,243-foot-high peak that is a hugely popular hiking destination, deservedly so.
For an ascent of slightly less than one mile on a wide trail, it offers spectacular views of Squam Lake and its many islands from a rocky, wide-open summit.
Moreover, it is a perfect “first mountain” for children, just challenging enough that they come away with a sense of accomplishment, not so tough it turns them off to hiking.
West Rattlesnake, as of this month, is now more deeply embedded in our family history.
Twenty-nine years ago this month, when my daughter, Allison, was 9, and my son, Scott, was 5, we climbed West Rattlesnake on a beautiful day, our first full day of a weeklong vacation at a rental cottage on nearby Lake Winnepesaukee. Mom - Susan - decided to stay at the cottage and relax after a tiring work week.
It was Scott’s first mountain.
Just the other day, I joined Allison, now 38, her husband, Sean, and their two boys, Cy, age 8, and Andy, age 6, for another ascent of the mountain. So, three generations of our family have hiked West Rattlesnake. We expect there will be other mountain repeats in coming years.
Cy and Andy, both heavily involved with youth sports, practically skipped up the mountain, as their mom and uncle did three decades ago. They brought little-kid curiosity and playfulness to our hike.
A big boulder 30 feet off the trail, with a big flat rock serving as a stepping stone, was too good to resist. In seconds they were atop the boulder. Click, got the photo.
At the top of the mountain, after they gazed out with Mom and Dad viewing miles of massive Squam Lake and its many islands, they added a few more feet to their ascent by climbing a tree. We adults were content to concentrate on keeping our footing.
Fortunately, the summit is just big and open enough that it can handle a couple of dozen people at a time. People, often with children, arrive, take in the view, sit for a bit sipping a drink, snacking, then head down. On the trail itself - called the Old Bridle Path - there is a constant stream of hikers going up and coming down. Other than the open summit, the trail is largely shaded by a thick forest of oak, beech, maples and pines.
Despite our pleas not to do so, the boys pretty much ran their way down the mountain.
A perfect first mountain hike for Cy and Andy is in the books, or, at least, my journal. And their memories.
Allison, Sean and the boys atop West Rattlesnake Mountain near Holderness, New Hampshire. The view of Squam Lake is spectacular, even on a hot, hazy, humid day. Click to enlarge.
Cy, left, and Andy brought childhood curiosity and playfulness to the hike, spotting a boulder off the trail and racing to climb it. Other than the summit, the trail up West Rattlesnake Mountain is surrounded by forest. Click to enlarge.
Andy and Cy still had plenty of energy when they reached the summit of West Rattlesnake. Here they are climbing a weather-beaten tree. Yes, Andy is missing a front tooth - and waiting for his big-boy teeth to come in. Click to enlarge.