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