3/16/16 Little Long Pond

Rained most of yesterday and was still sprinkling this morning but supposed to clear. Hoped by the time we got to the hike it would be clear. It mostly was but there were off and on light sprinkles and a mix of clouds and sun.

Obligatory shot of the pond - no ice !

Kelley was able to get in at her usual spot

There was also water along the trail

I was looking for a little color

When we got to the intersection of the West Side and Jordan Stream Trails the water was deep enough for Kelley to swim.

Jordan Stream - no ice

The Cobblestone Bridge where we stop for an apple break and then climb up to the carriage road to head back

Kelley was slowing down by this point and I'm thinking an hour and a half may be the right amount for her.

Just some leaves hanging on.

Good hike - the sprinkles, though on and off, were not enough to be a problem except I had to protect my camera at times. Kelley did very well until she slowed down near the end. She was in the water many times.  2 hours 

3/14/16 Partridge and Ducktail Ponds

Thirties and mostly sunny - predicted to cloud up. Didn't know if we would get in here or not. Two weeks ago we found the two mile road in icy and didn't try it because we once spent an afternoon getting towed out. Today there was no ice on the road but it was muddy and rutted.

The trail however was in good shape.

 
and there was water beside the trail

When we turned off toward Partridge we encountered more ice but only one big patch

The pond was mostly frozen

but for the end where a stream flows out of it

Enough for Kelley

There is a shallow spot in the stream where we cross to a nice ledge for our apple break

I broke some of the thin ice by the shore and Kelley went in very briefly - she didn't care for the ice.

We headed back down the trail to Ducktail. It too was mostly still frozen

but also has a stream flowing out of the end

with water for kelley

On the way back - another bridge she won't use.

One last dip

A nice hike.  Kelley did well and seemed to like it. 1  3/4 hours

3/12/16 Hidden Knoll Trail

Mid-40's and sunny. Went to this area as there several alternative hikes in the area and we wanted one without ice. It is a relatively new trail and there is not yet a map.

There was water - 5 minutes into the hike

But no ice and only a couple of small patches of snow that were not on the trail.

A stream on Goose Ridge Trail

 Trailhead

Lots more water on this trail - contrasty light gave me problems

but the trail was clear of ice and snow

Heading back on Goose Ridge there was a barrier that required a large bushwhack for Kelley to get around.

Near the end - the same pool as the start

Turned out to be a pretty good hike. The trail goes up and down  hills so we got a little workout. Kelley had to work around some of the water crossings - the trail is not worn down like an older trail would be - I had to be more aware of where I was stepping. Kelley seemed to enjoy it anyway and did well. 1  3/4 hours 

3/10/16 Perch Pond

Fifty and cloudy with rain predicted. Still lots of ice around so we didn't know how these trails would be.

Starting out on the old woods road section of the North Trail - some ice, but easily got around.

I was looking for things to photograph as Kelley was looking for water.

Which she found beside the trail.

Which was good because the small pond was still frozen

Once we got in the woods the trails were mostly clear

She found  more water

Perch Pond was also still frozen

but the trail along the pond was clear

The trails out were in mostly good shape until we got to the woods section of the North Trail; it had a fair amount of snow and lots of ice to work around - made me wish we had come out the way we came in. Still a pretty good hike- the rain held off, Kelley found water, and she did well. 1  3/4 hours