Ellis R. Hatch Wildlife Management Area 4/24/11

"Yet Another Woods Road" (pictures)

Difficulty: Easy (gravel/dirt road)

Directions: From North Main Street in Farmington, NH take 153 North. Continue onto Kings Highway in Middleton and follow for 4 miles. Entrance road sign is on the right set back. Follow road for a short distance to the gated trail head and sign.

Report: After spending the morning at the Moose Mountains Reservation we decided to look around for other trail heads in the area. I was trying to find Jones Road so we could walk the Horn Brook trail but somehow missed it. So I got back onto Kings Highway and looked for other signs of a trail. Shortly I spotted a sign in the woods for Ellin R. Hatch WMA. I backed up and drove down the short road to the gate. We walked a gravel and dirt road for approximately a mile passing a marsh and taking a right at a road junction and followed the road 100 feet to a kiosk and what appeared to be a half dried up pond. Upon looking on my Flickr satellite map I could see that it was once a large pond. Google map has there's updated as it is now. If you check this out it is the marsh area that is shaped like a tall boot. Not sure if a dam was removed or what happened to cause the water to recede so much but it looks to have been that way a while. Not sure where the road continued to and the weather changing from warm and sunny to cool and windy, we decided to call it a day and head home. Total time 30 minutes.

Knight's Pond Conservation Area 4/16/11

"The Out House Still Stands!" (pictures)

Difficulty: Easy (access road and well maintained trails)

Directions: Heading North on Rt.28 in Alton, take a right onto Rines Road. The road will change to dirt, keep left at a fork. At the top of the hill is the road on the left. A small parking area is on the right for when the road is gated.

Report: The weather being "iffy" again for Saturday we decided to hit some small hikes and play out the day as it went. The plan was to head to Castle in the Clouds to view the water falls, then hit a couple other small forests/conservation areas. As we were coming close to Wolfeboro on Rt. 28 Scott mentioned checking out a place where he used to live with his sister. He said there was a farmhouse that had since burned and a big pond down a ways from the road. Now Scott hadn't been here for about 25 years and there was no telling what happened to the property. Probably a housing development or something! Well, we arrived at the now gated road with a sign reading "Knight's Pond Conservation Area". Scott was shocked, I was excited! Another pond and forest saved....YAY!!

Cold and damp we threw long sleeve shirts and wind breakers on. As we walked the dirt road it was neat to be told what the property used to look like. "There was a big farmhouse and lawn here where this birch glade is", "a garden down the hill where that chain link fence is", "there was a cow pasture up there and a pig pin here where this wire is". And, "the out house is still standing! We used to have to walk across the lawn and road to go to the bathroom!" Too funny! I remember him telling me a story about running into a moose in the dead of night while making his way to the bathroom, LOL! We continued on down the road as it descended to a small summer time parking area and a kiosk. Then the road continued to descend until it reaches the shore of the pond. Before this there is a trail sign pointing to the left.

The trail enters the woods and then brings you along the South shore of Knight's Pond following it clockwise. A Wood Duck took flight at one point and I was disappointed that it flew to the far shore. But excited to see that they are at this pond! I'll be sure to return to try and get some pics of them! Beaver activity is seen all over. Trees chewed up all along the trail and water. The trail climbs up the banking then begins to follow the marsh at the West side of the pond. Then it crosses at a beaver dam. Such a beautiful spot! We continued on the trail following the North side of this long marsh. Scott spotted a male and female Mallard in the water and I was able to snap some photo's of them!

As we continued on, rocks and boulders became prevalent as we entered a wonderful boulder field. We stopped and took a break at the largest boulder. Here there is a trail that leaves on the right and loops around the peninsula that separates the pond and the marsh. This is an easy must do and adds about 500 feet to the trip. Winds were whipping across the water here and making it very cold. This cold, windy and damp weather has to stop! There is a good view from this trail across the marsh and down to the several beaver homes. Once the loop was made and back on the main trail we continued along the East shore noting some side trails. One that cuts back across the boulder field that we must have missed somewhere. And another that went North.

Continuing along we passed some more boulders until reaching the road again at a small beach, where Scott said they would swim at. Ending the trip was a mile long road hike uphill! All told, about 4 miles. We couldn't stop talking about what a beautiful area this was and how happy we were that it was saved and conserved for wildlife! It's by far the largest undeveloped pond I have been at and love the natural state it is in. Quite, full of wildlife and just plane beautiful! A large pond, marsh and boulder field. What more can you ask for!! A plaque at the end of the road at the shore lists the Organizations and people responsible for making Knight's Pond a conservation area in 1990. Thank you to all!!

Ticks and Bears and BOBCATS, oh my!

An increase in the Bobcat population has spawned a study by the NH Fish and Game. Bobcats became a protected species in 1989. Check out these two links for information and pictures on Bobcats and the study being done.

You can also report sightings on the NH Fish and Game site. Keep your eyes open for the big, beautiful cats! Here's 2 pictures I took this past February of what I believe may have been a bobcat imprint!

http://mlitvaitis.unh.edu/Research/BobcatWeb/bobcats.htm

http://www.wmur.com/news/27262549/detail.html

Coldrain Pond 1/22/11

"Cold" (pictures) With temps. forecasted to be in the single digits today we thought it best to stick with something small and close by. Scott hadn't used his snow shoes yet so something on the easy side would be a good warm up. We headed for Coldrain pond in New Durham. I discovered this spot this past fall. It is a Fish and Game controlled land and abutts NH Forest Society land. The parking lot was plowed at the entrance leaving space for 2 or 3 vehicles. We strapped on the snow shoes and made the easy half mile walk down the logging road and down a small path to the ponds edge.

Scott is not comfortable on the ice, even though this was completely snow covered. I told him it's good to do something that scares you once-in-a-while ... and with that I went running across it to the middle of the pond. To my surprise, after some hesitation, Scott came running behind me! I ventured to the far shore and took some pics, then we headed up the shore and through the woods until we connected with the trail again. The sun was shining through the trees making for some nice shadow pics. I love being in the woods! I look forward to joining the NH Forest Society this spring and perhaps this will be one of the properties I will be working in! So exciting! Snow shoes worked great! Comfortable and easy to use! It was very cold so we headed back, happy with this short excursion.

Cooper Cedar Woods & Coldrain Pond 10/14/10

"A Pond Hopping and Bush Whacking Thursday Afternoon"

"Cooper Cedar Woods" (pictures)
This small parcel of woods is right off Rt. 11 in New Durham, just South of the Johnson's Restaurant 4-way. It is owned by the SPNHF. The trail is roughly a 1/2 mile loop through the woods, over a small hill and along the property line. Total time it took me to complete the loop: 20 minutes. Trail is easy to followed and marked in various sections. Two spots to note: If going counter clockwise (the direction I did) on the far end of the hill there are "private property" signs. The trail bears left down the hill. And at one point after this the trail forks. You can go straight, or follow the left side which just brings you 30 ft. or so to the property line (marked with red "triple" blazes on the trees) then loops back up to the main trail.

"Coldrain Pond" (pictures)
This walk begins on Brackett Road in New Durham. I'll have to look into it but, it is owned by the NH Fish and Game, but there are also SPNHF signs, so possibly they have an easement or abutment to the property? You follow a logging road (keeping straight), I do not know where the other roads lead...yet! The road ends and on the left a path leads to the river bank. The banking is lined with dozens of canoe's. I bushwacked around the pond to a nice vantage point for a panoramic picture. Time to the pond shore: 7 minutes, 1/4 mile. I met a fisherman on my way out who said he's not seen anyone down here for months. He said this pond is excellent trout fishing. He was very nice, even pointed me to another area (Jones Pond) that he said I would like!

"Ponds in the area" (pictures)

Before and after my visits to the above areas, I checked out some local ponds to catch the foliage before the rain and wind storm coming for Friday wiped the color out. There were beautiful reflections at Reservoir Road Pond in Farmington.

Wonderful color and a nice view of Mt. Blue Job at Oxbow Pond off Meaderboro Road in Farmington. I even spotted someone on the Baldy Knob! I bushwacked around the pond shore which is all up for sale. I really hope it's not developed, it's a beautiful spot and great Blue Job vantage point.

And finally more wonderful color and reflections at Club Pond off Bay Road in New Durham

Doles Marsh & William H. Champlin, Jr. Forest Reserve 9/16/10

"Happy Marshday!"

Doles Marsh (pictures)

Today was slated in for having my monthly lunch with my Gram in Epsom. She usually calls the day before to give me a reminder. No call I wondered if she'd forgotten or just figured it was on my calendar and that I'd remember. I figured I'd not bother calling and if we don't meet up I would check out the Pawtuckaway South Peak Fire Tower. When I arrived on Rt. 4 in I called and she said we are supposed to be doing lunch next Thursday. I said OK (even though that was supposed to be the back up date, and now I guess it was) and I googled mapped Mountain Rd. on my phone. I followed 107 down passing the street several times before realizing it started out as reservation road. As soon as I pulled onto this road a sign read, "no park entrance, use entrance off 156". Well, I've had enough of driving and I am no longer in the mood for driving around to the other side of the park. So I headed back up 107 and stopped at a sign I had seen on Rt. 43, Doles Marsh, NH Fish and Game Dept. Waterfowl Management Area. I pulled down the road and into the parking lot.

A logging road left the lot (clockwise) to a small dam and a beautiful marsh. I crossed the dam and followed the road 300 feet or so before it became pretty overgrown. Not dressed for this sort of excursion and not feeling comfortable in new territory wilst alone, I turned back. On the other side of the lot a faded path (marked by little orange tacks in the trees) leads to the middle of the marsh and affords a great view. I was startled when the frogs began jumping into the water. Picture the sound of a squeaky toy, that sound times a hundred ... squeak, squeak, squeak .... it was hilarious! There were a few birds, a few killdeer and a hawk. But imparticular were two sand pipers of some kind about 30 feet in front of me just watching. I crouched there for about 10 minutes just listening to the sounds of the marsh. Then back to the truck.

William H. Champlin, Jr. Forest Reserve (pictures)

Not quite satisfied with my day yet started to ponder where else to go. There are so many forests and wildlife reserves around. I decided to head to Rochester to the Forest across from the Sky Haven Airport off of Rt. 108. I had been here once last year and have been wanting to return to document the route and get some pics. I began my walk at 2:00pm. The trail begins by crossing a small field then into the woods following a logging road. Follow the yellow plastic markers. When you see a yellow arrow at a fork, you can continue straight which will bring you to the Upper Pond (.4 miles). I went this way and found what is left of the pond. With the dam removed it is now a dried up lowland of grass and such. There is a sign that reads "end of trail", and if you continue down the banking there is a small stream or puddle is more like it. Here I made a friend with a frog. He jumped into the water at first, then climbed onto the rock I was standing on. I took a close up picture, I have never seen a frog so calm! I took some pics of a large bed of yellow flowers (yellow queen I think) and went back up the trail to the junction.

Back on the main trail you follow the logging road. Chipmunks and squirrels making a racket in the woods, along with acorns falling from the trees and the occasional hum of a prop plane engine landing and taking off. You will walk through a large pine grove just before entering the Lower Pond, where a brown arrow points left. If you stay right you will enter another, larger dried up pond. Dead tree stumps and rocks poke up from the grass covered ground. If you continue along the banking you will eventually come to a no trespassing sign. There is a rock wall which cuts through the marsh. I walked down it to it's end ion the middle of the marsh and took some more pics of the pussy tails that were "poofing". I checked out an old beaver dam, now on dry ground and headed back to the trail. The trail now passes by some granite quarry sites (off trail) then loops around back to the main trail. A rather large garter snake crossed my path, which I coaxed pretty easily into "attack mode". I snapped a picture and took off, headed back to the parking lot, passing another loop option which I didn't realize was there until I checked the map at the entrance. I got back at 3:00 and was pretty disgusted with all the trash in the parking lot and just at the woods/field line. Having a box of trash bags in my truck, I figured I do a little something. I filled a 33 gallon trash bag...grrr! It looks as though the same person takes lunch brakes there, as the same cigarette box and aroma joes cups were found in multiple numbers. Perhaps sometime when I am feeling pissy, I'll stake it out and try to catch this jerk. Mileage for this trip was 1.9 This forest is a great spot for a leisurely walk and is great for kids!

Stone House Pond 7/29/10

See the pics HERE

Upon reading an article about Stone House Pond in Barrington, NH and seeing the picture of the large chunk of granite that sits on the pond's bank, I was eager to check it out. I had my monthly lunch with my Grandmother in Epsom and decided to take the US 202/NH 9 route home. This would bring me right by there! I passed the road once, noting an unmarked dirt road next to a white house. Upon back tracking I noticed a fallin' apart wooden sign that read Stone House Pond. Turned around again and headed down this road. You immediately pass an open gate and down a pleasant woods road reaching the parking lot along some large boulders. There is a NH Fish and Game sign here that only gives boat launching directions and nothing else.

I walked around the large chunk of granite and to the lakes shore and looking across could see the magnificent tower of ledge. There was a kayaker fishing off to the Western side of the pond. The trail was easily seen to the left (clock-wise)across the lakes outlet stream. The only method of crossing is by a difficult rock hop or a tricky jump across the small dam structure. The trail was surprisingly well worn and easy to follow. It curves around the lake shore to another slab of rock with a wonderful view directly across the lake to the ledge.

Continuing on the trail breaks away from the pond and becomes somewhat steep and loose as it climbs the banking. It then drops back down to the shore and follows it rather closely. It was somewhere on or after the steep section that a well defined trail broke left. I almost took this thinking it might be the way to the ledge. I opted to stay right which turned out to be the correct way. I am not sure where the other "trail" went, perhaps to a boulder or something? I didn't see it connect back to the main trail either further down, so something I will have to explore next time.

Back to the main trail now, again you follow the shoreline until you reach the bottom of the ledge. You then climb along side it up a steep, loose trail and around the back and easily up over to the top of the Stone House Ledge, about 150 ft. Such an amazing feeling for such little effort. You stand majestically over the pond, the ledge dropping steeply in front of you. You can see a few area hills, Blue Job and I'm guessing Parker Mt. Also there is a cell tower "disguised" as a tree, but looks more like a cruddy old artificial Christmas tree! It's the thought that counts I guess! Oh, and I was surprised to see Jack pine's atop this area too.

I went back down the way I came since the trail around the Western side of the lake was barely visible and I had read that it could be very wet. I easily made my way back stopping to capture a picture of a butterfly and a large "wood" moth who showed off a pretty orange under his wings when flying from tree to tree. Over all I believe this was half a mile with 160 ft. elevation gain round trip. Nestled discretely around the larger areas of Pawtuckaway State Park, Nippo Lake and Scrutton Pond it would appear this pond stays rather quite. Not a single speck of litter was to be found, a little graffiti on the rocks looked faded and despite the well worn trail, the top of the ledge looked to have been grown in where beaten paths once existed. Thank you to the Trust for Public Land for purchasing this land and making it a permanently protected area!!

See the pics HERE