12/11/13 Hidden Ponds

Mostly sunny, temps in the mid 20's . We decided to try exploring that area beyond Tilden Pond that had been too wet in September- should be ice now.

We started from the parking lot on Rte. 182  and there was a stream just a short distance from the start

I was a little concerned about ice after our experience on nearby Catherine two days ago but the footing was good - no slipping. They had received more snow than we had in Bangor. No one had yet been on the trail since the snow of two days ago and it was nice to have it to ourselves.

No swimming for Kelley at Tilden Pond. I had a lot of problems with pictures this hike- I think the bright blue sky and the snowy ice and the deep shade in other spots.

We continued past where the trail ends at the pond on a rougher trail to the end of the pond where we thought we found the trail we were looking for. ( There are several trails and old woods roads and none of them are marked .) This is where we stopped in September ( Kelley was willing to proceed)

and today

It seemed strong enough so we proceeded , cautiously . When we got across we found a beaver dam and a small bridge over the stream coming out of the beaver pond

and across the stream a cabin

We went back the way we came to an intersection with another trail but that took only us to the trail to Spring River Lake which we had done on previous hikes. We decided to do it anyway and leave the other unknowns for another day.

No swimming in the lake either

From there we headed back the way we had come. When we reached the intersection with the loop trail ( not shown on this map) we saw tracks of another hiker. We continued straight and then turned off to find a lunch spot at Salmon or Mud Pond. We met the other hiker and his dog and talked trails for a bit. He was familiar with the area and verified where we had been and knew of some trails we did not.  He also said the beaver dam had not been there last year.  We agreed to swap maps and went our separate ways. We had lunch and then headed out.

One last time in the water

It had been a pretty day and a nice hike, 3  1/4 hours