Morning Hike: North and Middle Sugarloaf
Our morning hike up North and Middle Sugarloaf was a delightfully easy double peak to tick off our “52 with a View” list. The hike is under 4 miles round trip with a little over a 1,000 feet of elevation gain. It was a cool, cloudy Friday of a holiday weekend—perfect for avoiding sunburn and crowds of people. We anticipated crowds, so we sprang out of bed before the sun had even hit snooze, and hit the trail just before 8 a.m. The parking lot was small, but a few cars were already in it, there are other early birds out there I guess. The trailhead is just past the lot, over the bridge, so we paused for a quick photo op of the stream below—because who doesn’t love a good “nature’s beauty” shot?
The hike starts off following the stream, which is nice—until you take a turn and suddenly feel like you’re in a cardio boot camp! The first 0.9 miles has a steady incline that offers just enough “rest” to catch your breath, but not enough to actually relax. Luckily, it’s not a marathon, so we pressed on. At the fork in the road, you can choose between North or Middle Sugarloaf. If you’re looking for a shorter route, North is your friend—it’s a whole 0.10 miles shorter, with less elevation gain and still a rewarding view.
I had read online (you know how reliable the internet is!) that Middle Sugarloaf had the expansive, gorgeous views. But I began to wonder if they got their peaks mixed up because, let’s face it, we hit it on a cloudy day and it was still stunning. After soaking in the views for a few minutes, I was getting a little hungry. So, off to the second peak we went before I could break into the snacks.
The trek up to Middle Sugarloaf was a bit longer and steeper—just what I needed! There’s a wooden staircase near the peak that screams, “You’re almost there! Just a few more steps and then you can eat!” Who else thinks of food while they hike?
The views from the top were stunning, even with the cloud cover. It’s a wide-open summit begging to be explored.This hike is perfect for all ages and abilities, offering just the right amount of thrill to make you feel adventurous without requiring a climbing permit. I rate this hike a solid 5/10 for difficulty and a resounding 10/10 for views
Happy hiking, and may your snacks always be within reach!
