Wednesday, June 6, 2018

The Lady Slipper Orchid Ride: Kanc to Bear Notch Road 10:00 am

Thursday, June 7th, 2018


The Lady Slipper Orchids are now blooming in the woods. Over the past few years there has been a nice display of these orchids alongside Bear Notch Road from the Kanc up to around the gate area.

Let's go up the Kanc along the Swift River, head past Lower Falls and Rocky Gorge. We turn right onto Bear Notch Road. The goal is to head up past the gate and enjoy the typically beautiful display of Lady Slipper Orchids along the right side of the road. Head to the summit of Bear Notch Road if you like, otherwise just go to see the orchids. 

Our return will be that great downhill on Bear Notch and the Kanc to the Albany Covered Bridge. On the way back we could stop at the Russel Colbath House, it might be open by now.

We could stop to regroup at Rocky Gorge for a lunch break if the bugs are tolerable, then return to Conway via Passaconaway Road and the short ride on West Side Road and back over the Saco Covered Bridge to the parking lot.

Meet at the parking lot on Route 16 in Conway at the NH Liquor Store Plaza (used to have a Shurfine/IGA and bank). If we park at the ShurFine/bank end, the south end, we can access the road that goes over the Saco Covered Bridge directly by a back driveway. We then ride into Conway Village and then take the right turn up the Kanc. A bathroom stop at the Ranger Station might be required.

Meet at the ShurFine parking lot, ready to ride at 10:00 am. Bring a snack or lunch.
Distance: about 26 miles, longer if you climb to the summit of Bear Notch.



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