The Traveler Loop

This route begins and ends at South Branch Pond Campground, near campsite 19. From the trailhead and campsite area, follow the Pogy Notch Trail along the east shore of the ponds, crossing Howe Brook at 1.0 mile and climbing over cliffs to the Center Ridge Trail junction at 1.3 miles; bear left. Center Ridge Trail climbs ledges and a rough, rocky ridge, breaking above treeline within a mile, to Peak of the Ridges (3,225') at 3.2 miles. Continue on the Traveler Trail, dropping about 400 vertical feet into an open alpine meadow at 3.8 miles, then climbing through loose talus and broken rhyolite scree to The Traveler's summit (3,540') at 4.5 miles. Descend steeply about 800 vertical feet to a col at 5.5 miles, climb over a 2,970' high point at 6 miles, drop 400 vertical feet into another saddle at 6.5 miles, and climb 600 vertical feet to North Traveler Mountain (3,144') at 7.1 miles. Descend west on the North Traveler Trail along the North Ridge, through open upland meadows and past a spring at 8.3 miles, re-entering trees before the Pogy Notch Trail junction at 9.3 miles; the campground is less than a mile beyond. Almost the entire route above Pogy Notch Trail is exposed, above-treeline terrain over loose, sharp rhyolite rock, treacherous when wet. Carry at least two quarts of water per person, since none is reliable past Upper South Branch Pond, and turn back early in fog, wind, or rain — route-finding on the open ridge gets difficult in poor visibility.