2/7/12 Little River Trail, Belfast

After yesterday's adventure we decided on flatter ground and went to Belfast to the Little River Trail. There are some gentle ups and downs but nothing strenuous and mostly woods rather than rocks. A beautiful mostly sunny day with temps in the 30's. We started from the ball field parking area. The trail goes through woods until at this point it reaches the river and begins to follow it.






At Perkins Road you have to cross to the other side to continue the trail and we saw this farm with llamas. Kelley looked at them and they looked at her- they went back to eating and we continued walking.


We did not go much further east as the trail gets icier as you near the water district office. We had found this last year in winter and suspect it has something to do with drainage. So we turned back the way we had come.

This is the reservoir from the road at the spillway.


Where we stopped for lunch



Resting after lunch


A nice peaceful hike- we met one other nice couple- and a beautiful day. 3 3/4 hours

2/6/12 Beech Mountain

Cloudy start but cleared and temps rose to the upper 30's . Ice still a problem on the trails so decided on Long Pond ( Great Pond) area because there are several alternative trails. We parked at the pumping station lot by Long Pond- no swim for Kelley today.


Some ( such as West Ridge Trail) we knew would be risky - we chose the Valley Trail as it is relatively flat with not a lot of rocks and pretty good footing and this turned out to be a pretty good choice.



The South Ridge Trail also looked pretty good so we headed up the mountain that way.





As you near the summit the abandoned fire tower comes into view.


View from the summit


Our big mistake was taking the Beech Mtn. Trail down toward the (closed) parking lot. This trail was basically a frozen stream with a slick slippery surface and we spent most of our time off the trail trying to avoid the ice.



Once down we decided to check out the Beech Cliffs Loop which didn't look too treacherous. But we came to a spot Kelley could not negotiate and would not let me help ( I had helped her only once earlier) and went off searching for a way around. She did not find it and we bushwhacked to the other side of the loop but soon ran into ice and gave that up.


Views of Echo Lake and Beach from Beech Cliffs



We got back on the Valley Trail to take us back and this end was icier than the south end had been but nothing like the Beech Mtn. trail had been.

We found a sunny spot to have our lunch and continued back to the car. A good hike in spite of the hairy descent from Beech. 3 1/2 hours

2/5/12 Downtown Bangor

Time for an easy day so we went downtown for an hour and a half walk about- Kelley's route. Cold but sunny and little wind so nice walking weather. Turned out there was more ice than expected - some on side walks but other areas were just glazed ice over snow- particularly along the river - and there were even areas we needed to skirt. Kelly was disappointed that I wouldn't let her get down to the river- frozen near shore anyway.



A friend and I have been talking about 'Big Brother' and this tower looked a bit menacing.




A few of the other things we saw.














Hannibal Mamlin

2/4/12 Frye Mountain

Still a problem with icy trails here. Decided Frye Mountain might be good as it is mostly woods with few rocks, good footing, and is not a steep climb. We started from the Walker Ridge access and found that no one had been on the trail since the last snow. Between the blazes and Kelley's excellent nose we had no trouble following the trail. She does not appear to be scenting but easily follows the trails.

The Bartlett Stream was easy to cross today


There was crusty snow but only a few inches deep and walking the first part of the trail was not difficult.

The woods thin somewhat as you gain elevation



After we crossed the second logging road and began to gain a little elevation the snow became deeper and the walking more difficult. Near the summit there is a steep drop before you climb back up and we found ice on the trail. I had thought about trying to do the loop but decided this wasn't the day for it and we turned back. I was also concerned for Kelley because she had done a long hike yesterday and she seemed to be struggling with the snow also ( which is not usual for her) . Once we turned back and we were on the trail we had broken on the way up she perked up and showed her usual enthusiasm.

At the loop junction we climbed up to the ridge where there is a bit of view ( whereas there is none at the summit) and shared an apple before heading back down





A nice quiet hike. 3 1/4 hours

2/3/12 Dover-Foxcroft End of Rail Trail

Cold - mixed sun and clouds - trails still icy. Another piece of rail trail seemed in order. This time we started in Dover Foxcroft and walked south. There were quite a few snowmobiles on the trail today outward bound but not as bad as the Dexter section. On the return leg ( 2 hours) we were passed by only 4 .

At the start we crossed the Piscataquis River on a bridge.



This section was, again, mostly woods with a few marshy areas.








Don't know what this old building was for or the purpose of this small door.


Kelley being stubborn. She wanted to turn at this point- into private property - and did a sit down. I continued walking ( the lens compressed the distance and she is about a block back) and eventually she gave in and ran to catch up with me.


A pretty good hike. I was comfortable once I got warmed up, the footing was good, and the walking easy. 4 1/4 hours

2/2/12 Walden

The lousy weather continues. Yesterday we got a little snow, some sleet, and some freezing rain. We just walked around the neighborhood. This morning it's in the 20's and gray with a sheen of ice on everything. . We had to get out so we went over to Walden for an hours walk. A bit of a trudge for me in parts but the crust mostly supported Kelley.








We encountered Sophie (and her owner) who Kelley has played with before so this was exciting for Kelley- and Sophie who is also an excitable girl. They had given up on the trail and were heading back.





In spite of the conditions it was good to get out in the woods for at least a little exercise. later in the afternoon we did another 45 minutes around the neighborhood which involved as much sniffing as walking.

1/31/12 Lagrange Rail Trail

Cold ( about 10 degrees) , cloudy, and snow predicted but no wind. We did not get the snow but got some peeks of sun. We had not done this rail trail before ( still avoiding the icy slopes) and thought to start from the Lagrange end- closer to us - but couldn't spot the trail head so drove on to Medford and started from there.

A nice wide trail with well packed snow from the snowmobiles ( though we saw none) . Mostly woods





With a few marshy areas. A peaceful quiet walk - we also saw no people during our hike.




Before the trail crossed a regular road there would be warnings to stop and gates ( all simple affairs and open) . I found the corroded metal interesting.














And this milkweed


We walked to Rte. 155 and then turned and returned the way we had come. 4 hours