1/30/16 Sears Island

Upper 20's, mostly cloudy, no wind. Because of the odd weather we have had it is difficult to guess trail conditions on our usual trails.  This morning the tides were right so we decided to try the island.

By the time we got there the sun was trying to come out.

 

looking inland

Kelley was not very excited about the shore and didn't even go into the water but perked up and took the lead when we took the trail into the woods

maybe she remembered this small stream

and I found a nice plant in the snow

The Homestead Trail is more open and has lost most of it's snow

It took us to the shore on the other side of the island and Kelley finally went into the ocean

 We walked for a short ways up the shore and found this driftwood structure.

The skies remained partly cloudy but with no wind it was comfortable. Kelley did well after a sluggish start and seemed to enjoy herself. 1  3/4 hours

1/29/16 Snowmobile Trail Along The Kenduskeag

Upper 20's with cloudy skies and snow predicted. We started from the Pushaw Rd.

Warmer temperatures have reduced snow amounts and left  icy and even bare spots in the trail.

Still enough snow for background

The stream is not yet iced over.

Looking across - the small white spots are snow ,not dust. We didn't get enough to accumulate.

Looking back near the turn around spot.

 Still surprises me that people haul their junk out into the woods.

Less than ideal conditions meant no snowmobiles so we had a quiet hike. Kelley did well  1  1/2 hours 

1/28/16 City Forest

Yesterday Kelley did not want to hike and would not get out of the car so we had a day off. This morning she seemed unenthusiastic again so we just went to the forest for an hour and a quarter.

Snow, but the above freezing temps during the day have created a glaze and some icy spots in the trail. Just a few pics of the trail and Kelley.

Only a tiny bit of unfrozen water

This odd weather is making it hard for us to find places to hike. I have an early appointment tomorrow and then light snow is predicted. We shall see/

1/26/16 Sheepscot Headwaters

Much warmer - upper 30's when we started and lower 40's at the end. Cloudy with rain predicted but we got a bit of sun and no rain.

Hadn't been here in awhile and so didn't know in what condition we would find the trails. Last winter we did a hike on trails no one had used and it was hard work but today they looked good - at least at the start.

Up the Whitten hill Trail

Onto the Norther Headwaters Trail and one of the prettier sections - nicely formed path.

And some  leaves

and a pretty fungus

As we started down toward the Goose Ridge Trail there had been less traffic and the trail was less firm and even less traffic on Goose ridge. Still not too bad.

I wanted to do Goose Ridge because of the two small streams that might be running.

The first was frozen and Kelley managed to get down to it but had a bit of trouble finding a way back up. She doesn't like those snowy banks.

The second stream was completely covered in ice and snow and the  small pond by the old dam was also frozen

 but Kelley worked her way down to make sure

On the way down I had seen what looked like water a ways off the trail so on the way back we walked over to it.  Not much but it was not frozen

We then climbed back up the hill on the trail we had come in on - this time with some sun.

A nice peaceful hike - we didn't meet anyone until we got back to the parking lot. It had been pretty and Kelly did well , especially as the footing was not always ideal. 2 hours 

1/25/16 Sunkhaze Wildlife Refuge

Twenties and sunny with less wind than yesterday. We hadn't been here since the snow and didn't know if the trails would be suitable or not.

We  started on the road from the parking lot to the beaver pond and were pleased to find there had been enough use to make a nice path.

Of course the pond was frozen

 Back to the loop - that section had less traffic but the footing was still good.

Kelley usually takes a break when I stop for a picture

This is just an oddly shaped little pool.

Checking out the trail

Entering the cedar swamp

Another break

Two more sections of trail

A pleasant time in the woods. Kelley did well and seemed to enjoy herself in spite of no water. 1  1/2 hours 

1/24/16 Little Long Pond

Supposed to be warmer with sun. Decided to try this hike because of for water for Kelley - there has been little unfrozen water on our last few hikes. When we got out of the car there was a strong wind and it did not feel warmer but was better once we were in the woods.

Obligatory shots of the pond

from the end

  along the West Side Trail - out in the open again and more snow

The woods were pretty and protection from the wind

First little stream - I didn't do well with the picture

Disappointment when we got to the start of the Jordan Stream Trail where Kelley always gets in the water - frozen

and then Kelley wouldn't cross this bridge but made a large bushwhack around

Jordan Stream and trail - don't remember so muck of it being frozen- perhaps because of lower water and slower flow

At all of the places along the stream that give Kelley access the water was frozen - big disappointment.

At the cobblestone bridge we climbed up to the carriage road to complete out loop and  started meeting people and dogs and this  always pleases Kelley. She did well on the hike and mostly the footing was good. 2 hours