4/7/14 Little Long Pond / Jordan Stream

Forecast is sunny and 50's but we have mud, snow, and ice and it's difficult to predict trail conditions. This hike is one of Kelley's favorites because of all the water and other people bring their dogs because they can be off leash.

Driving over it looked like there was less snow as we neared the coast and we were optimistic. We parked and took the Friends Path down to the pond.

About one minute from where we parked

This trail was very icy and treacherous because of the ice covered stone steps and it's narrowness but we made it down to the pond- where there was some open water at the end.

Most of the pond was still frozen

We took the West Side Trail which mostly runs near the pond. There is this open area but mostly it's wooded and had a fair amount of ice. However, the ice was easier to avoid as I could leave the trail and get around it.

Kelley used to avoid going out onto the ice but has overcome that fear.

More ice

I was hoping the Jordan Stream Trail would be better and Kelley soon found water

There was a lot of water where the trails met and I considered taking the trail across to the carriage road but that area was also flooded and the trail was not clear. We climbed a hill to bushwhack around the very wet area and conditions improved as we got back down to the trail . No one had been on it but it follows the stream closely and was not hard to follow. Also there was more snow than ice on the trail. We later had to climb another hill to get around a section of the trail that was under water but the stream was a pretty part of the hike.

As we neared the Cobblestone Bridge there was a very icy section of trail with no way around and I ended up crossing on hands and knees.

Under the bridge

And looking back the way we had come.

We stopped for our apple break and decided to go up on the carriage roads. We added a little loop before heading back down the east side of the pond. The loop had had little traffic and there were sections of snow that were a slight slog but it was not icy. Once we got on the main carriage rd. ( where most people walk and which gets the most sun) it was either bare earth or packed snow and easy walking. We also met several people with dogs and that made Kelley happy.

Near the bottom of the pond.

We finished the route and just before the car Kelley got into that little stream again. The water is clear and though I have a wet dog she is not muddy. This had been a varied and , at times, challenging hike but a good one. 3  1/4 hours 

4/6/14 Down East Sunrise Trail

Yesterday it rained all day and we just took a short walk downtown. Today it is sunny and 39 but the wind made it feel cooler. This was not our first choice. We went to Hidden Ponds but still could not get into the parking lot. Dynamite Brook Road was also not plowed so we drove back to where this trail crosses Rte. 182. There were signs saying the trail was closed because of saturated soil and no riding. Didn't seem to prevent walking.

There were patches of bare wet soil and it didn't look very good at the start

But it quickly improved and was mostly more snow than dirt, with a few icy patches.

We met a couple with their dog near the start but no one else the rest of the hike.

The Card Mill Stream crosses the trail and Kelley looked for a way down to it but the banks were steep

Further on we came to a side trail that leads back to a pond ( we had taken it in the past). It is crossed by a small stream near the start.

This trail, because it was in the woods, had more snow and a fair amount of ice.

I think this is the end of Donnell Pond- the map is a bit confusing ( lots of printing crammed together) but you can see Schoodic Mtn. where it should be

Kelley was disappointed to find the pond frozen over but soon found where a stream flows out of the pond

And got an actual swim

 the stream

We had lunch and headed back.

A marshy area along the way

Nearly back and one more chance to get in the water

Turned out to be a good hike. Pretty day and mostly good footing. 3 hours 

4/4/14 Frye Mountain Area

Still a fair amount of snow but softer now and not a lot of traffic on the trails. Supposed to be sunny and in the mid 40's. Our friends Faith, Roxie, and Gus were going with us and we decided to try the roads/ snowmobile trails in the Frye Mt. area. There is parking at the game management office on Walker Ridge Rd. and that's where we started.

The trails still had good packed snow and the day was beautiful

The dogs all seemed to be happy to be out, especially Roxie who did her usual high speed  racing around. Gus and Kelley soon slow down but not Roxie.

We came to a trail not on our map with a sign saying "scenic overlook" and took that. It brought us to a spot we visit when we do the Frye Mt. Trail

Roxie looking back at Faith with the view in the background.

and Faith with Roxie, Gus, and Kelley

After a little lunch we returned to the trail we had been on and continued south. The trail narrowed and became less of a road.

Gus, Roxie, and Kelley

Roxie and Gus

We came to a point where we were looking down a long hill and not wanting to walk back up it  turned back.

A picture of me and Kelley taken by our friend Faith Griffith. She did better than I did with  my shots of  her.

A very nice hike with beautiful blue skies, sun,  and very comfortable temperatures. Kelley and Gus had got muddy and dirty but all the dogs seemed happy. 3  hours

4-2-14 Paul Bunyan Trails

Thirty nine, sunny, and no wind- a good day for hiking. The snowmobile trials seem to be our best bet right now so we decided to go a little further on this trail that we had only done to the airport. The trail was mostly packed snow with a few icy patches- one caught me by surprise and dumped me on my butt. This trail is a mix of woods, and sections along the power lines.

We met a man on a bike who had his dog with him and he was riding the snowmobile trails for the same reason we were- packed surface. he had been at Walden yesterday and said those trails were terrible. He did give us some information about other trails in the area.

More slush than water but it will do

Apparently very old as they are usually bright red

When we passed the end of the airport we were back in some nice woods and walked that trail until I was ready to turn around.

Hopefully, the last weed in snow

A pretty day and easy walking. Kelley found several places to at least get wet and seemed happy with the hike. 3  1/2 hours

4/1/14 City Forest

We had rain all day Sunday and melting snow and I spent the day trying to keep water out of the house. Monday was dreary and I had clean up to do so Kelley went to the nursing home for the day.  Today sun and warmer temps but  no idea what the trails were going to be like so we headed for the nearby forest.

Kelley wanted to go down to the beaver pond and we did. It was still frozen over but she found some water running out of it.

The West Trail was packed snow with some minor glazing but not bad. Surprising how much snow remains.

At the end of West we got on the old rail bed. No one had been on it in awhile and there were only some old ski tracks- still not too bad if you could stay in the tracks. Once we got to where the snowmobile trail  joins it the walking was easy.

We checked out a side trail to see if it was still passable- it passes through a marshy area and is only usable part of the year. Not today.

We continued on the rail bed to a spot where a small stream crosses it and it was also no longer frozen and we turned back.

The unnamed trail that we take between the rail bed and West had not been used in some time and was the worst part of the hike. Both of us broke through the crust and in places the snow was knee deep - even Kelley was unhappy about it.

Back on the West, Kelley spotted a woman and her dog ahead of us and raced on to meet them. The dog was still a pup and very energetic and he and Kelley began to play. Good fun for all. I took quite a few pictures but between the contrast and the motion I didn't get any I liked. I will post two anyway.

It was good to be in the woods on a sunny day and  in spite of the uneven conditions it was a good hike.  3 hours