10/6/14 Ragged Mountain

Thirty seven degrees when we got up but supposed to be a nice day. Wanted to get in a good one today because rain is forecast for the next two. I stalled a bit and then this drive takes 1 3/4 hours- because you have to go through several small towns and then Camden which is a big tourist destination- so it was up to 57 when we reached the trailhead. The first part of the hike is through woods and is relatively flat.

But after about 40 minutes you start a fairly steep climb to the top. Kelley had a few work arounds but managed them all on her own. You start to cross ledges which give you some views

A pano - please click for large view



The woods up here are quite pretty on a sunny day

Nearing the top

Summit view

Kelley managed to find a little water up there

Another view of Mirror Lake- it was quite windy so not much of a mirror

We went back down by the same route we came up and met a woman and then a couple with a very large dog. The dog was friendly but Kelley was not interested. A very nice hike 2  3/4 hours 

10/4/14 and 10/5/14 Rainy Days Tale

It rained most of yesterday, last night and this morning 'till about 11:00. Yesterday we went over to City Forest to try to get in a hike while it was only sprinkling. Kelley was unenthusiastic until she saw the beaver pond and another dog and then she went down to greet the dog and owner and get in the pond.

After that she was not interested in hiking ( highly unusual) so we went home. Later tried a walk around the neighborhood but she wasn't interested in that either.


This morning we got up to rain and I had to pick up a friend at the airport at 11:00 so we were home until then. After we dropped off our friend the sun was coming out and since we were already downtown decided to walk around a bit. We parked near the river and Kelley, of course, head straight for it.

There is a walkway along the river but only one other place Kelley can get in the water. Once she got into the water there she was reluctant to go further. I gave up and headed back to the car.

Some things we saw.

I don't know what's with Kelley's disinterest. . She is not showing any lameness and seems her usual self in every other way. I wish she could talk, Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny sixties so perhaps we will be back to normal. 

10/3/14 Moose Ponds

Sunny and cool- 50's to about 60- this is a bit north of most of our hikes. Again the ponds were a big factor in choosing this hike. We started from the trailhead on one of the old logging roads- it no longer has a sign naming it but we have hiked it several times in the past.

Starts out down some slate steps and through pretty woods.

Kelley soon found a small stream

Lots of leaves

We followed the route indicated on the map which brought us first to Big Moose Pond

and then around the pond

 and up the side of Little Moose Mt. - a fairly steep climb with a few places Kelley had to find work arounds- but along the ridge is an overlook and a couple of ledges with nice views

Looking east from the same spot- a pano- please click for large version




Self Portrait

From another ledge- please click for large version



Then it was down the mountain and over to Little Moose Pond

A little lunch and back the way we came. Near the end are the slate steps I mentioned earlier

A very nice hike- the temperatures were very comfortable and the woods were beautiful. We met no one until we got to the parking lot and met two nice women getting ready to backpack in and spend the night at one of the campsites.  3 hours 

10/2/14 Donnell Pond

Sunny 50's with little wind- great weather. We picked this trail as sure to have water for Kelley.

We started from the end of Dynamite Brook Rd. This is an easy and pretty woods trail that was once an old woods road- many parts are now reduced to one track.- about 20 minutes into the hike we crossed a small stream.

The rest of the way to Redmans Beach was dry but the large pond was waiting.

If you look around the south end of the beach you find a short trail that leads you across a small stream and onto an old woods road/trail that will take you to Schoodic beach.

and lots more water

Up to this point we had met no one but someone was using one of the camp sites- they were not around- and then near the end of the beach we met a couple working on their metal detector. A brief chat about metal detecting and we headed back the way we had come.

A very pleasant hike through pretty woods to the two beaches and  excellent weather. 3  1/4 hours 

10/1/14 Partridge and Ducktail Ponds

Third gray day in a row. Yesterday we just walked around the neighborhood. Three days of possible rain resulted in a few sprinkles so everything is still very dry. Decided on the ponds because there would be water for sure. Temperatures in the 50's but still good hiking weather.

We did our usual route up to Partridge and then back to Ducktail.

Still green leaves among the gold

The small streams and pools along the way were all dry so Kelley was very happy to reach Partridge

Panoramic shot of Partridge - please click for large version




Time to share an apple

Then it was time to go back and over to Ducktail

Ducktail pano - please click




Some reeds

Waiting for me- almost back

A nice two hour hike in spite of lack of sun- but also no rain. 

9/29/14 Perch Pond Trails

Cold gray morning  ( 60) with possible rain- quite a change from yesterday. We picked a nearby spot so as to not drive a long way only to get bad weather.

We started from the South Trail on Poplar St. The first section is usually wet ( not today) and has a string of bog bridges.

No water at all until we reached the small pond on Spruce Rd. Kelley - got to spend a little time here

These old roads were the major trails until the bike club added  several miles of trails.They are all now connected.

As we continued on the wind picked up and we got a few sprinkles and I decided to shorten our route and head toward the big pond. Kelley agreed. and was happy when we reached it

We continued on the Shore Trail

giving Kelley other chances to get into the pond

before we turned away from it to head back to South Trail.

An easy hike and we managed not to get rained on. The temperatures were comfortable once we got moving and the woods were pretty.  2  1/4 hours