Category: Forest Hike

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Pawtuckaway North Mountain via Boulder Field 2021

It was a beautiful fall day, exceptionally warm for 22 October and I started the hike overdressed for the weather and had to shed layers after a short time.

I was pleasantly greeted by two nice ladies on horses on round pond road as I exited my jeep to start the day in the woods.

I had parked between trees near the trail that goes down to the glacial boulder field and started my hike in that direction.

As usual in NH state parks, the trail is well marked and I proceeded along through the boulder field and then thru the woods heading towards a small pond that is just past a relatively sheer high rock face on the left of the trail, there was a gentleman coaching another individual in climbing techniques as I passed by headed towards a steep rock scramble.

I was greeted by a small and quite curious squirrel, who seemed interested in the noise from my camera as I took pictures of him.

As I headed up away from the pond, where it was necessary to use handholds on the many tree roots to climb up the rock as the fall leaves made the rock quite slippery. The trail then proceeded thru the woods slowly gaining altitude and then there is a short reprieve from steep elevation gain thru a series of switchbacks and then you proceed thru a relatively flat section until the last short scramble up to where the historic microwave reflector used to be. All that remains of the communications relic are the concrete support pillars.

There is a narrow view point to the left of the trail from the pillars, if you proceed past them to the rock ledge outcrop the view in that direction is much better.

At that same location you are able to see the fire tower on one of the other peaks on the other side of the caldera.

I made the return trip back the same trail as it was clouding up and did not want to get caught in any rain doing either of the other trails that leave the summit that return back to the dirt roads that run around the inside of the caldera. Had I taken either of those trails I would have had a road walk to return back to my jeep.

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Rocky Point @Lake Massebesic

I went down the rocky point fire road today to see what rocky point was all about. It was not what I expected, although there were several places at my destination where you could get to the water, it was not any more or less rocky than any other shoreline on . The actual “rocky point” where the rocks extend out into the lake just under the surface as shown in the satellite image in the gallery below was not directly accessible from the fire road without doing a bushwack through mud and muck and I chose to not do that and it is located a short bit east-southeast from the open area where I stopped. It is possible that its name comes from the large rocks out in the water, several of which were visible from shore, that can cause Navigation and impact issues for boats. Only one spot where you would have enough room to cast a fishing line at the described open area, unsure if its a good spot or not, it is fairly close to the deep part of the lake but looked really shallow going out from the shore. Lots of poison ivy along the trail to be aware of, and one swampy area along the way with a few annoying bugs, but overall not a bad walk. There is a large tree across the trail about halfway to the point/shoreline area to be aware of.

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Little Massebesic early spring/mud season hike

March 3rd, 2020 – it was actually 61° today. I went on a short hike to Little lake to see if the ice was breaking up enough yet to be able to go fishing. There appears to be still several inches thick ice around the perimeter of the lake with some open water showing in the middle. Lots of new plant growth and buds coming out on the trees. Definitely the start of mud season for regular trails, the fire roads seem to be drying out much better, however. The woodpeckers have been hard at work as there are many freshly made holes.

[photonic type=’smugmug’ view=’album’ album=’FHqQL3′ nick_name=’nh-hike’ layout=’square’]

 

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Mt Belknap 2017

Yesterday, years ago (2017), Brian and I hiked up to the summit in a cloud bank with high winds and no views – even from the tower.

Today was a better story, much better views and foliage was reasonable but not at peak yet. The view from an outlook that we completely missed 3 years ago and didn’t even see offered a good view of the lakes.

The view from the summit fire tower was spectacular with minimal haze, although the wind chill was a bit rough.

I captured a communications technician up high on the microwave tower; definitely not something I would even consider attempting to climb. He was harnessed in and safe but looked uncomfortable in the high winds.

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Locke Hill Loop

Myself, Brian and my grandson Alden did this loop hike to several fantastic viewpoints of Lake and surrounding area.

This trail is a loop and is part of the Kimball Wildlife Forest, we took the Lakeview trail up to the viewpoints of the lake (starts at the road side of the parking area) and came down the Quarry trail (ends at back of parking lot), the trail closest to parking lot entrance that is adjacent to the lake, leads to one of the best views of Lake . Although not as high in elevation as Mount , it is still one of the tallest crests in the area, providing some great views of the lake. One of the view points has stone chairs with a view of the lake where you can take a break from hiking.

At the top of the crest there is a communications beacon tower for the airport that is located near Point on the lake. If you walk past the tower at the top and the start of the Quarry trail moving away from the lake you will find another viewing spot.

Many hikers bring dogs along for the hike and these trails are easy for your pet, but be wary of wild animals that may distract your dog such as squirrel’s, chipmunks and porcupines. Leashing your dog is a good idea especially if you don’t want to ride home with a wet and muddy dog, as there is a stream and marshy area next to the trail on the Quarry trail.