1/26/14 City Forest

The weird weather continues. We woke to about 3 inches of new snow and a temperature of 22 degrees. By the time I cleaned the drive and we got to the forest the temperature had dropped to 9 degrees with some wind. Just under 12 now ( about 3 pm ) with a forecast low of  4 but a high tomorrow of  41 and snow. Very strange.

We started from the Kittredge Rd. parking lot and it was nice to find Main Rd. no longer icy but with a nice snow cover.

We only use a short piece of it to get to the West Trail which had good footing and new clean white snow.

We followed that to it's end and then got on the old rail bed. This was not as nice footing because there had not been as much use prior to this last snow and it was bumpier and not as well packed- still not too bad.

We took a trail different from or usual trail back to West. It had no recent use but was mostly even and firm. It was also pretty.

A nice hike in spite of the cold- the woods mostly protected us from the wind.  1 1/2 hours

1/25/14 Marsh Island

Warmer ( 19 degrees) but gray with snow predicted . Other places we checked had, in addition to snow, possible rain and wind advisories were posted so we stayed in the area. We had not been here in awhile and didn't know what trail conditions we would encounter. We found them mostly pretty good, with snow over a mostly firm crust. There were stretches where there had not been much traffic that were a bit rougher but still not bad- and no ice. All of it easy for Kelley. She was disappointed to find the pond she uses near the start frozen over. I found a few things that stood out against the snow.

We walked the trail along the Penobscot to the marshy area

and turned back. As we started back we met another hiker and Kelley was happy to greet him. The snow started on our way back. We also met another man and his dog so Kelley got to greet them too- happy girl. By the time we got back near the car the snow was coming down more heavily

One more picture before we reached the car

A pretty good hike which Kelley seemed to enjoy as she was enthusiastic throughout. 2 hours.

As I write this it is snowing hard and it looks like we already have more than the 2 inches predicted. Very pretty.

1/24/14 Paul Bunyan Snowmobile Trail

Three degrees, light wind, and sun. I had an appointment this morning so we got a late start. Decided to try the trail behind our house. It's a utility easement but is usually used by snowmobiles- not yet this year - and it connects to other trails that go on for miles. Very nice to just go out the door and have miles of trails- the first short part is through neighborhood but then becomes more isolated. The first part was a little lumpy - no one had used it- but that was short and the real trail had been used by snowmobiles- although not since the last snow. We had a nice firm crust covered with 2 or 3 inches of snow and no ice - nice walking. A first there were the tracks of a lone walker and then after him a deer, and then a skier and parts had been used by no one . We walked for an hour and then turned back. Kelley was happy to be out- I think she thought I had left her behind when I was gone earlier - and it was easy walking for her too. There was one frozen stream that she had to work around the steep bank but that was  the only difficulty. I only took two pictures- of the same fence. I thought the paint was chipped but when I looked more closely I saw it was small lichen. Not very exciting but all there is.

A pretty good two hour hike. Once I got moving I was comfortable and  for Kelley the cold never seems to be a problem

1/23/14 City Forest

Another very cold morning so back to nearby City Forest. We waited until it got up to +1 and today we had sun and little wind so it felt more pleasant than yesterday. We took the West Trail to it's end ( good footing ) and then the old rail bed. It was a bit bumpy at the very start but then there were only animal tracks and we had a nice firm surface with a couple of inches of snow on top and then no tracks at all - nice walking . We walked to within sight of Forest Ave and then turned around and went back to Main Rd. and the the Loop Rd. We had met no one until we met Keturah and her person- we see them fairly frequently- and it made Kelley happy to see both of them.

The only picture from today as I was having trouble with the camera again.

When we got to the parking lot we met Pete and his dog  Cadie, a friend  Kelley  likes to rough house with. I didn't get any  picture today so using two from a previous hike- similar goings on today

So, a good day for Kelley - good walking , people, and dogs. And I enjoyed it too.  2 hours

1/22/14 Walden Parke

Gray and cold  -1 with wind chill warnings. OK, this is not going to be a long hike. We went to Walden and did the Loop Trail. Mostly the footing was good-some of the rail bed part was a bit rough but not that bad. Kelley seemed to be invigorated by the cold and was excited- running ahead and doing lots of sniffing. Even the little stream coming out of the beaver pond an an ice covering so no water today. We also met no people or dogs- another thing Kelley really likes. Only a couple of ice pictures- too cold to get the camera out and take off mitts. I don't think the camera likes the cold either as yesterday settings were spontaneously altered and that has not happened before. Yesterday was near the same temperature but with sun and no wind- this was a huge difference and felt like we were in a Jack London story. However,we got in an hour hike.

 

1/21/14 City Forest

Cold - 1 degree above zero, but sun and no wind. Didn't want to do a long drive, not knowing how Kelley would be today, so it was back to City Forest. We started from the Kittredge Rd. parking lot and Kelley seemed a little stiff ( it's hard to tell because she always has a gait that is a bit off)  but quickly got into the hike and seemed fine throughout. We took the West Trail  ( in good shape) to the side trail we use to get to the rail bed- no one had been on it but is was still pretty good. The rail bed was a bit lumpy and the crust din't always hold me- fine for Kelley- so it was my least favorite section. When we went back into the forest I decided to take the Main and Loop roads - they were the best surface with only a couple of inches of the new snow and lots of foot traffic - out of continued concern for Kelley. We went from the Loop Rd. back to West Trail to complete the hike.

Loop Road

West Trail

Turned out to be a good hike. Kelley did not seem to have a problem, once we got moving I was comfortable with the temperature, and it was pretty with the snow and sun. We didn't meet anyone and having it to ourselves was very peaceful. 1  3/4 hours

1/20/14 City Forest

Cold gray morning with 2 or 3 inches of snow to be shoveled from the drive. Not enough snow to even out the trails and subdue the ice so we went to the forest. We walked down to the beaver pond- frozen except for a tiny corner - open enough for Kelley to get a drink but not for her to get in.

We started down the West Trail and though a bit rough with ice hiding under the snow it was pretty.

Kelley was kind of lagging behind and not showing a lot of enthusiasm and then several times she laid down in the trail and I had to call her to catch up

I decided she was telling me she didn't want to hike, something she had not done before and we turned back. She then picked up the pace so I presumed I had guessed right. She had been anxious to be off when we left the house so I don't know what's going on. She seems fine otherwise. 1/2 hour