Hiking: Early morning on Bayle Mountain

There are a few reasons I like hiking the 2.6-mile round trip hike on Bayle Mountain (1,853 feet) in the Ossipee Range. From the wide summit ledges, there are expansive views over lakes to the east. Looking to the west, one gets a feeling of being enclosed by the higher peaks of the Ossipee Range, of literally being inside an old volcano.

From the road, the first 0.75 miles of trail is a winding snowmobile trail. It is always fun to start a hike on gentle terrain, where you can be introspective and relax into your surroundings rather that start straight up a peak.