Gonic Trails 12/4/10

"Dusk on the Isinglass" (pictures)

My brother had come over to my house to order me my new winter hiking boots. Scott was sick today so there wasn't gonna be a chance to hike today or probably even Sunday. Jeremy had his son with him and so I thought we could get out on another small hike. We went and ate at Clemento's in Rochester then headed for the Gonic trails. We began on the red/blue trail then broke off onto Watson Ways South Branch. After some fun hanging off an overhanging tree, climbing on a fallen over trees root system and running up and down the trail with Jonathan we eventually made it to the Isinglass river. Here a wet unleashed dog was annoying us until the owner finally showed up and called it. We followed the yellow River Walk past the water fall, the old mill site and up past the old granite bridge foundations. Then it was up Luannes Way back. The sun was setting below the tree line making a pretty end of the day. JJ had a lot of fun as always! Hope to get him up Mt. Major possibly Tuesday if it's nice out. Or maybe Stonehouse pond. It's always great to be out hiking with my bro and nephew!

Gonic Trails

"Waste, Woods and Water" (pictures)

Such a beautiful day today I just had to get out and do something! It was already getting late in the afternoon and I had to go to Rochester to do some grocery shopping. The park over by Waste Management came to mind. A hiking area that I have passed thousands of times but had not bothered to stop at yet. I made the short trip to Spalding Turnpike, headed South on Rt. 125 into Gonic and after passing the blue Isinglass Mt. Hiking sign I took a left onto Rochester Neck Road. The parking lot was just over the hill on the right, you can't miss it! Parking was 1/2 full much to my surprise. I checked the map and headed off, deciding to take the blue blazed Locke's trail upper section.

A gentle walk down a logging road through a pine forest. After connecting to the lower loop I kept to the right downhill to the river,  now blazed in Yellow. Here a sign was on a tree addressing Anglers. There was a granite bridge foundation and a rather pretty Isinglass River. I continued on the river trail (Luanne's Lane) to a banking with a large carved out ledge on the left. And to the right an old Mill foundation and some pretty falls. A man was fishing here and there were a few other people hangin' out.

I continued on calling Scott who was just getting out of work at 2:30 telling him to meet me here. I planned on taking the Red blazed Watson's Way back to the parking lot. Passing by another fisher and the blazes changed to yellow and red. Then back to yellow. Confused I continued on for a ways before I began to wonder why I wasn't seeing any people and why I hadn't seen the red trail yet. I pulled my camera out and checked the picture of the trail map. It appeared I had missed the red trail. Back I went, jogging at times until I came back to the yellow/red blazes. I searched for the red trail but was unable to find it!

So, confused I went off jogging all the way back up the river and back down the Blue trail to meet Scott in the parking lot. I explained to Scott the very confusing trail web. Instead of giving each trail it's own color they double blazed where trails coincide, with each trails color. Sounds simple but it really confused me! Ah well. This time I took the red/blue blazed trail keeping right as it finally became all red. Then found where it meets the yellow river trail. Back again up the river then followed yellow back around to the parking lot.

Total mileage for me was like 4 miles. Nice easy trails if you don't mind a horrid waste smell every now and then. And somewhat confusing trail system. The Red and Blue trail loops have secondary names "forestry Tour" and "Local History" names with numbered sites but no interpretive signs explaining the site. So a little confused on what these site numbers are? I'll have to do some online research I guess. And the Gold trail says it's a 7 round trip but only shows 2 miles worth on the map. So I am guessing it continues on past where I had made it. Perhaps to Isinglass mountain or something. I dunno! More exploring I will have to do. 

Odiorne Point State Park 9/18/10

"Odiorne Point State Park" (pictures)

Having to work late Thursday and Friday night and with a long day of work scheduled for Sunday, I wanted to stay close to home this weekend. Scott and I headed for Portsmouth, walked the mall and had a always delicious burrito at Chipotle's. Then I thought we would drive over to the park in Rye and eat and walk the area. I had not been here since I lived in Rye 2001-2003 and Scott had never been. We walked the beach checking out the tide pools, rocks and views to Whaleback Light. I was excited to find a crab under a rock and further down the beach a small lobster! We got to the jedi and decided to head back to the truck. I remembered a trail nearby that went into the woods and past a bunker fortification. My memory served me well, the path now overgrown we found the main trail and bunker. Onward back to the beach then down another somewhat overgrown trail to the front of the park and back to the truck. A wonderful area, great for kids...no pets allowed :) The park does need work. Overgrown paths, fallen trees and branches and trash along the beach are numerous. I was rather shocked to see the park (at least this side) in such disrepair! A nice area non-the-less. Views are great to Fort Stark, Whaleback Light, Wentworth by the Sea Hotel and the 100's of sailboats, fisher boats and even freight ships off in the distance.

Fort Williams & POrtland Head Light 9/4/10

Looking for a change in pace and a relaxing Saturday Scott and I decided to head to the Maine coast. With the long weekend (Labor Day) we could save hiking for Monday. We made a stop in Kennebunkport to see George H.W. Bush's home then headed for Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth just South of Portland, ME. Busy but not crowded we walked the entire grounds around Portland Head Light, the cliffs and down and around the various bunkers and Officer's home sights. I'd not been here since a teen and it was fun checking out old memories and finding things there I hdn't seen before. It was a great trip, highly recommended for all, especially those with kids!

Pictures HERE