Ragged Mtn. and Balanced Rock
Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway

• Pick up the Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway (SRKG), also called Ragged Mountain Trail, on the east side of New Canada Road (the right-hand side when accessing New Canada Road from Route 4).
• Climb for 1.3 miles which will bring you to Buswell Ridge.
• Turn left onto Ridge Trail and follow the undulating path for 1.4 miles until reaching the Ragged Mountain Ski Area on West Peak. This segment of trail is marked by metal rectangles; be sure to avoid Ash Trail which leaves to the right after 0.7 mile on Ridge Trail. During this hike on semi-open ledges, watch for views south to Mount Kearsarge and Bradley Lake.
• Enjoy the great views from the ski lift area. Looking north to northeast, the vista encompasses Cardigan Mountain, Bog Pond, the White Mountains (including Mount Moosilauke), and Newfound Lake.

• Hike away from the summit by turning to the right of the ski patrol building and reentering the woods beneath the power lines on the SRKG, also referred to as West Ridge Trail in this section.

• Look for a short side path on the right, 1.1 miles from the ski area. Take the spur to check out great views to the south.
• Hike for another 0.3 mile on the main trail which will bring you to some open ledges, called West Top, with views that include Mounts Kearsarge and Sunapee.
• About 70 yards later will be a junction with the yellow-blazed Mountain Trail on the right; keep straight ahead to stay on the SRKG.
• Less than 0.1 mile later you will reach another trail junction. Here West Ridge Trail ends, East Ridge Trail goes left, and Balanced Rock Trail turns right. The SRKG route turns right to follow Balanced Rock Trail. But if you first wish to make a detour, follow East Ridge Trail for 0.4 mile which will bring you to the open ledges of Old Top (2257'), an eastern knob on Ragged Mountain, where there are excellent views to the north, and then return to the junction.
• From the junction of West Ridge Trail, East Ridge Trail, and Balanced Rock Trail, turn right downhill on Balanced Rock Trail.
• After 0.2 mile look for a spur on the left and follow it for 0.1 mile to reach a 6- by 19-foot glacial erratic perched on a narrow ledge. Continue 50 yards beyond the boulder for views of Andover, Bradley Lake, and Mount Kearsarge.
• Upon returning to the main trail, continue downhill for 0.6 mile until reaching a fork where a large sign says, "Stop". Veer left/straight here, following the SRKG blazes.
• After 0.6 mile, keep an eye out for a smaller path on the right and turn here as indicated by the SRKG blazes (but not by a worded sign).
• Keep following the blazes carefully through several turns and junctions for the final 0.5 mile which will bring you to Proctor Academy where you should have spotted a car before starting this hike.

• From Rt. 4 in Andover, just west of the town center, turn north onto Field House Lane and bear left into the parking lot.
• The trails starts on a signed gravel driveway at the far left corner of the parking lot, to the right the tennis courts. But we will be starting this point-to-point hike from the New Canada Road trailhead (see below).
• If needed, additional parking may be found on the opposite side of Rt. 4 near the white-fenced playing fields.

• From Proctor Academy, head west on Rt. 4.
• Upon reaching the junction of Routes 4 and 11, continue on Rt. 4 West for another 1.9 miles.
• Turn right onto New Canada Road.
• Follow New Canada Road for 0.9 mile which will bring you to the SRKG trailheads on either side of the road.
• Parking for 4 cars is available on the left-hand side of the road.
• Follow the SRKG trail to the east, on the right-hand side of the road at a gated logging road.

• Dogs are not allowed.
• Camping is not allowed.

• Mt. Sunapee on 10/07/2000
• Mount Kearsarge and Baker's Ledge on 6/03/2000
• Mount Kearsarge and Baker's Ledge on 8/07/1999

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