Mountains & Music – AMC’s Highland Center, Crawford Notch

PHOTO: Enjoy a outdoor Saturday evening concert at the Highland Center at the top of Crawford Notch this summer. The 2nd Annual Lynda Cohen Performing Arts Series returns to the Highland Center this July and August for more information and to register to attend these free concerts visit AMCmusic.eventbrite.com. // Chris Thayer Photo

by Amy Patenaude
Outdoor/Ski Writer

At the top of Crawford Notch is the home of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Highland Center. The Highland Center opened in 2003 and is located on the site of the former grand hotel the Crawford House. The AMC offers lodging, food, equipment, education and entertainment.
Here they continue the tradition for being the place where visitors from near and far come to enjoy the White Mountains.
A fun thing to do would be going for a nice hike and then enjoying an outdoor concert!
The 2nd Annual Lynda Cohen Performing Arts Series is presenting four free summer evening concerts being held again at the Highland Center. Concerts begin at 7 pm and on-line registration is requested–register by following the link at AMCmusic.eventbrite.com.

Performing on Saturday evenings: July 9th Bennett and Perkins with Taylor Whiteside, July 23rd Twisted Pine, August 6th Gawler Family Band and August 20th Beg, Steal or Borrow.
To enjoy the concert bring your family and friends, a blanket or lawn chairs, warm clothing since it gets cooler at night and bring along a picnic supper. Please no pets or no BYOB (the Highland Center sells beers and wine). A flashlight is a good idea since the sunsets around 8:30 pm in July.
There are many hiking trails near the Highland Center. There are trails to the summits of nearby 4,000ers mountains Willey, Field and Tom and the famous Crawford Path that traverses along the southern Presidential Peaks. But there are many nice short and easier hikes too.

The walk around the headwaters of the Saco River is nice and requires about half a mile of walking to complete the loop. The Saco Lake Trailheads are located on the north and south ends of the Saco Lake and to close the loop walk along the shore on the eastside of Route 302.
On the south end it leaves a small parking area near the dam and at the north end it begins 50 yards north of the driveway to the Highland Center.
The Saco Lake Trail follows the shore and passes by a pet cemetery and then a side path to the Idlewild Ledge–a rugged little climb offering good mountain views above the Lake.
Behind the Highland Center are more nicely graded paths. The Around the Lake Trail, Ammonoosuc Lake, and add on the out and back on the Red Bench Trail. Yes, at the end of the path you’ll find a red bench with a view. The distance for the complete loop including the outing to the Red Bench is 1.8 miles.
For a short strenuous outing make the climb to the Crawford Cliff. From the Highland Center follow the Crawford Path and then turn left on the Crawford Connector Trail and just after the bridge over Gibbs Brook you’ll find the beginning of the Crawford Cliff Spur. The path follows along the north bank of Gibbs brook passing by a small flume and pool before it climbs steeply to the top of the cliff. From the cliff are views over the Highland Center and to Willey Range mountains.
I recommend reading up on these and more hikes in the area in the AMC’s White Mountain Guide by Steven Smith.
I just made my reservation to attend the July 9th concert!
Have fun.