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Finding Trail Descriptions

So as not to repeat myself excessively, I am reducing the amount of description of trails that have already been posted. Please use the search function ( upper left) to find older posts which have more detailed trail descriptions and pictures. You can also use this to find specific hikes either by trail or mountain.



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Saturday, March 31, 2012

3/30/12 Ship Harbor Toward Seawall



A pretty day but windy. The wind was brisk but blowing out to sea so it was actually less of a factor once we were on the shore. We started from the parking area for Ship Harbor and walked that to the shore.




From there we headed along the shore toward Wonderland and beyond there to Seawall.





We walked among the rocks but also inland when the rocks became difficult for Kelley. There is no trail along the shore but small pieces of trail in the brush indicate others have turned inland.








I know I have photographed these seaweeds many times before but can't seem to resist them.




Or the rocks and Lichen




When we neared Seawall we turned and retraced our steps to Wonderland to take that trail out to the road and back to our car. Along that trail we met Sydney ( I hope I have spelled that correctly) and her owner. We had met them once before on this same trail and it was a happy reunion as the dogs play well together and Sydney's owner and I were both glad the dogs got to enjoy themselves and get some extra exercise.











A pretty day, interesting things to see, and Sydney. Both Kelley and I were happy with this hike. 3 hours

Friday, March 30, 2012

3/29/12 Walden

New snow- not enough to have to shovel but enough to make Kelley excited and happy. No wind so it stayed stuck to the trees and was quite lovely. We wandered around for two hours taking turns picking trails. Only met one other person- Kelley ran ahead to walk with him for awhile.












Thursday, March 29, 2012

3/28/12 Downtown Bangor

Cold gray day with rain and snow forecast. Downtown for an hour, Kelley's choice of route. People about for her to greet and lots to sniff. These are some of the things we saw.










Not pigeons but looks like the work of the pigeon person.







Wednesday, March 28, 2012

3/27/12 Western Mountains

Sunny but around 30 degrees with a wind advisory- gusts to 45 mph. We decide the protection of the woods would be good and headed for the western part of the park. The mountains peaks are mostly wooded and have some pretty trails but not the views on the more open peaks in the eastern part of the park. There are some open ledges on some of the trails with views.

We started from the pumping station at Long Pond and took the Cold Brook Trail to the Great Notch Trail which is mostly heavily wooded.


One of the old trail markers - rarely seen now.





From the notch we usually continue down the other side to the Pond Trail and back that way but we thought the pond trail would be too exposed so took the trail toward Mansell Mtn.


When we reached the Razorback we took that for awhile. You can see how it got it's name from the ridge in this section. Kelley found her own route around this section.


We only went a short distance for the views the ridge offers before the trail drops into the woods





We then continued on to Mansell - more sections of trail that Kelley had to bushwhack- and decided to take a chance on the Perpendicular Trail. A steep trail with a large number of stone 'steps' and even some iron rungs. Much less work going down than coming up.



There are even some sections that are essentially flat


And there was still ice but not really a problem on the trail



This was the only spot where Kelley needed a hand. This section was actually easier in winter when there was enough snow to climb up.


She handled all the steps with ease.




When we reached the Pond Trail we were going to take it back a ways to a favorite lunch spot and found the wind was not bad but he trail was covered in ice. The wind driven waves were crashing across the trail and freezing. I bushwhacked around the ice ( Kelley walked on it) and we returned to the parking area. From there we took the Valley Trail a short distance to a sunny spot out of the wind and had our lunch before heading back.

A pretty good though strenuous hike. 3 hours.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

3/26/12 City Forest

Yesterday it rained all day so we only spent a half hour walking around town getting wet. Today started out looking the same but the rain had stopped, even though it was colder-lower 30s. Nearby City Forest seemed like a good choice for a day of uncertain weather. Once we got on the trails and out of the wind it was pretty good and we met a few people and some dogs and Kelley is happy to be out no matter what the weather. and we even got some sun. We had a good two hour walk.



These Mallards were, at first, swimming in the water along side the trail and I followed along trying to get a clear shot through the brush. They got out of the water briefly and then flew off.







And Kelley got to use the beaver pond for a real swim.