5/6/14 Newman Hill-Hinds

Mostly cloudy with rain forecast so we went to this nearby spot we hadn't been to since the snow and ice melted. I was going to post the new map also and go into my rant about their maps but won't bother.

Kelley was her usual enthusiastic self again ( still no explanation for yesterday) and got right into Black Pond - Boulder is more difficult to get out of.

We took the little side trail to Pine Pond

and walked around it to view from the other side.

We then took the rail trail that is not shown on the map, planning to explore further down

Lots of water -ponds and pools

At this point the trail was closed because of nesting herons and we turned back and took the route shown on the map.

View from Newman Hill

Turned out to be a pretty good hike. The trails were in good shape with only a few easily got around wet spots. Kelley was enthusiastic throughout  2  1/2 hours 

5/5/14 Demeritt Forest

Cool and gray- was supposed to be sunny and warmer. We hadn't been here since it was snow covered and the start from Logan Rd. looked promising.

As did the start of the Green Trail

but it turned out to be a very wet trail

which Kelley didn't mind

we completed the loop and then started down the Blue toward the Yellow but it was also very wet so we went the other way. When we got to the 9 intersection I took a trail that was not blazed and that didn't go very far. We turned around again and went through some nice woods

but ended up back on a road. After a bit I could see the parking area and realized we we were back on the Logan Rd. I turned to head back to another trail but Kelley sat and refused to follow me. When I turned and headed for the car she followed me. She apparently had had enough, after only an hour-very unusual . It then started to sprinkle and I gave up. Kelley had seemed  happy with all the water and didn't show any signs of distress. Tomorrow will be telling. 

5/4/14 City Forest

Rainy day- wanted to give Kelley a bit of exercise so we went to the forest with a friend and walked around for an hour and three quarters in the rain. Didn't want a wet camera so I only took one picture - side trail on a dreary day.

Kelley was happy with water everywhere and the several walkers and runners we met. I was surprised at the number of people out but I think everyone is just glad to be past the snow and ice. 

5/3/14 Partridge and Ducktail Ponds

Forecast was for sunny and 60's - we got cloudy and 50's - but probably better than tomorrow for which  rain is forecast.

We started from the Partridge Pond Trailhead. The trail had some wet spots but there are some new bog bridges in some places.

An amusing piece

Some other things we saw

An old root with dead grass and new growth

 Old leaves

 and new

 colorful fungus

and Kelley found lots of water

A bridge she will not cross

We continued past the turnoff for Partridge on an unmarked but easily followed trail which takes you to the northern end of the pond

We then went back and took the trail over to the southern end of the pond

and back to the main trail and then over to Ducktail

After a little lunch we headed back and Kelley got into her last water for the day

We had seen no one until near the end we met a couple with a child and two young pups. This made Kelley happy- people ( she especially likes kids) and dogs. It had been a nice hike in spite of the lack of sun- there was no wind so it was a comfortable temperature for hiking.  2  1/2 hours

5/2/14 Walden

Yesterday it rained all day- mostly drizzle but even Kelley wasn't interested. That also kept me from the garden on which I'm way behind, so today ( a nice sunny day) we just went to nearby Walden for an hour and a half .

Still looking kind of wintry, only without the snow.

The sky, however, was an amazing blue

Some of the birches seem to be permanently bent from all the ice we had

 Lichen- not the sign of spring I was looking for

Almost back to the car we finally found it- I now know it is called coltsfoot

A short but nice hike- shirtsleeves all the way and lots of water for Kelley. When we got home she stayed in the sun to dry off as I worked in the garden.I planted four sections of different mixes of salad greens and four other separate varieties, scallions, and broccoli raab. I also brought out and later took in 8 trays of seedlings for hardening off and transplanted ( indoors) some just emerged pepper and tomato seedlings.

4/30/14 Blackcap Mountain

This map has been adapted by me so the trails should be viewed as only approximate. We start from a scout camp.


Mix of sun and clouds and 40's but supposed to rain the next three days so we wanted to get in a good one. This is also not far from home which will give me more time to catch up on garden work.

We parked at the pond near the boat launch and Kelley had a swim before we started the hike.

To get to the mountain trailhead you start off on the trail which circles the pond.

Parts of this trail are wet- they almost always are as the trail is mostly close to the pond

Once you start up the mountain trail it is mostly dry. The trail is fairly steep with rocky spots and there has not been any trail clearing so there was lots of limbs on the trail along with some fallen trees. There are several spots on the trail where Kelley had to find work arounds.

Part way up you reach a large slab of open granite and it feels like you are near the top
Looking back down

But you are soon back in the woods with a ways to go

View from the summit. The summit itself is not pretty with 8 or 9 towers up there.

Kelley having a little break

The trail continues along the ridge and you are back in some pretty woods

There are ledges just off the trail with views

The plan was to go down the Blue and White Trail to the pond but once again, it was confusing and we found also red blazes and a place Kelley couldn't get around- that trail is very difficult for Kelley and she didn't need to deal with it today so I looked around for the trail we wanted and then gave up and we returned the way we came.

Found a flowering bush on the way down

Had not been any water above, so Kelley was happy when we got back down to the pond.

Not the prettiest day and a bit strenuous but still a good hike.  2 1/4 hours