3/24/12 Catherine and Caribou Mountain Trails

Mix of clouds, overcast, and a little sun with temps in upper 30s to lower 40s. A friend told us how to find the Catherine Mountain Trail we couldn't find the other day and we did find it - 15.8 miles on 182 from Rte. 1.

It starts off as a woods road- part of what threw us.


And soon turns into a nice woods trail


Which starts to rise more steeply than the approach from the west that we usually take.


As you near the ridge there is a very short trail to the right which takes you to the Catherine Cliffs and some nice views of the other side of the ridge




Back on the main trail Kelley enjoys the view




The literature describes a "chair made of rocks" near the top and we assume this is it.

We followed the trail down the other side of the mountain and onward to the Caribou Extension which took us up to the Caribou Mountain Trail and this view.


We then turned back the way we had come. Immediately after I took this picture Kelley broke the ice to get to the water below.




Back on the Catherine Mountain Trail and an easier ascent than earlier from the east.




Our view as we ate our lunch


Next to the parking area people have dumped trash and I found this light


Even though it felt a bit cool when we started the temperatures were quite comfortable as we were hiking and it was enjoyable. . We met only one other couple near the end of the hike.
3 hours

3/23/12 Walden and City Forest

Beautiful day- around 60 with sun. Didn't feel like driving so we went to Walden and City Forest for 3 hours. We started from the parking area at the end of Tamarack Trail and I let Kelley choose the trails. At one point I looked back and could not find her and started walking the trails and calling her with no response. After about 30 minutes I was worried as she had never been away this long. As I started up the rail bed to circle back to where we had last been together I saw her with her friend Sophie and Sophie's owner walking toward me. I was told Kelley had been unperturbed by our separation and after a chat we continued on up the rail bed - on Kelley's part as if nothing had happened.

We took the West Trail that Kelley loves in City Forest and walked along for awhile with a couple of nice guys ( without dogs) for awhile. After they turned off another trail we continued on to give Kelley the treat of the beaver pond and met a woman with Amber, a Chocolate Lab who except for a few extra pounds looked remarkably like Kelley. The dogs played well together and this was another treat for Kelley.

We continued on to the pond, Kelley had a swim, and we took the trails back to the car. A very nice day except for Kelley's AWOL.








The water doesn't have to be clean.

3/22/12 Long Pond and Jordan Stream

I was going to give us a day off after yesterdays long hike but it was too nice a day ( sunny and about 70) so we went to the Little Long Pond area. This is one of Kelley's favorites because a large part of the hike is next to either the pond or Jordan Stream.


The Friends Path leads from the parking lot down the hill to the west side of the pond and is quite pleasant.


A couple of views of Little Long Pond - no ice!






The West Side Long Pond Trail is not on the map but I have drawn it's approximate location to where it joins the Jordan Stream Trail.

Kelley was really excited by all the water.


The trail closely follows the Jordan Stream




I lost count of the times she was into the water



Shortly before we got to the carriage road bridge over the trail Kelley took off running up the trail. I knew it had to be a dog or dogs and it was two women with two dogs ( up on the carriage road above) and great fun for Kelley. After the dogs played and we were heading back to the trail one of the women had to put her dog on leash to keep it from running back to Kelley.

We followed the stream until it crossed the carriage road and then took that back to the east side of the pond.




Beautiful day, lots of water, people and dogs to meet, and no ice. Kelly was very happy. 2 1/2 hours

3/21/12 Frye Mountain

Another beautiful day so we decided to do the whole loop at Frye Mountain starting from Walker Ridge Road. The trail is described as 9.5 miles and since the road is closed for mud season it's another 1/4 mile from parking to the trail head so about 10 miles.

The trail is mostly various kinds of woods and the first part is mostly flat.

We often find these old stone walls but never near houses or tilled fields- they all seem to be out in the middle of nowhere.






Once you cross the second road the trail starts a steady climb up the mountain. At the intersection with the loop we took the southern fork and after a brief climb began a descent. After this it was a long series of up hills and down the other side and then up again.

Many trail guides and online sites describe the view "The view from the summit of Frye Mountain is excellent, offering scenes of the surrounding farmland, lakes, ponds, and a clear view of Penobscot Bay." You find almost the exact quote so I expect it is just being copied. Unfortunately it's not true. The only summit views are through trees such as this from near the summit

This was a tiring hike which took longer than expected. We are getting slower or the trail is longer than described. Still a good outing with only tiny patches of easily avoided ice and lots of water for Kelley. 5 3/4 hours

3/20/12 Little River Trail

Beautiful day - got up to mid 70s and bright sun. We wanted a trail we thought would be free of ice and it was except for a few tiny patches back in the woods that were not a problem. Mostly just lots of pine needles and old leaves to walk on.

We started at the water district office end for the first time. The reservoir was also losing it's ice.


Which meant Kelley quickly got a swim.


The spillway at the bottom of the second reservoir.



When we reached the ball field end we had our apple and headed back the way we had come. I had photographed this tree before in snow.


A leisurely swim after lunch


and a shower for me as I was still sitting on the ground next to the water.


This was a very pleasant hike on a beautiful day and Kelley seemed to enjoy it too - lots of running around, exploring, and swimming or, at least getting into the streams we crossed. Extra Kelley pics for penbayman.
3 3/4 hours

3/19/12 City Forest

Sun and clouds but temperatures in the 50s . Time for an easy day so we went to City Forest. Surprisingly there was still a fair amount of ice on the West Trail and the trail between it and the rail bed. The rail bed was almost completely clear- better drainage and sun I suspect.

Kelley was disappointed to find the beaver pond still mostly frozen.















Don't know what this is but I liked it. Anyone?



The hill down to the pond



A very pleasant 2 hours