2/17/15 Snowmobile Trail Along the Kenduskeag

Had an early appointment so we got a late start and wanted something close. Eleven degrees and somewhat overcast but no wind.

We started from the end of Pushaw Rd.  The snowmobiles had packed the snow nicely and made easy walking ( we only met two today ) .

Last time we were here there was still some open water

At Griffin Rd. the snowmobiles usually go up and cross the stream on the bridge before turning back into the woods and we usually turn around. Today some had crossed the stream on the ice and we decided to give it a try.

Shot of the stream from the middle

Once across we continued on to Kenduskeag Rd. before turning back

Starting back

A small cluster of leaves

Almost back

A very pleasant hike. Some sun and no wind helped. 1  1/2 hours 

2/16/15 Essex Woods

Yesterday was another winter storm. Very cold with strong winds and snow and we just walked around the neighborhood. This morning was clear but still very cold and windy with wind chill warnings. We got only a few inches of new snow rather than the one to two feet predicted. After I cleared the drive we drove to City Forest but the road down to the parking lot had not been plowed so we went to try Essex Woods. Someone had taken  snowmobiles down the hill to the rail bed - probably yesterday - and it was easy walking.  They had turned east on the rail bed but Kelley spotted a man and his dog in the other direction  so we went west. There was still a pretty good packed path.

After the dogs met and played briefly the man and his dog turned into a neighborhood and we turned back and got to the section used by the snowmobiles.

The snowmobiles had only gone to the foot of  the sledding hill and the snow was deep beyond there but Kelley spotted some sledders at the top of the hill so we had to climb up so she could greet them.  She then headed for the car which was fine with me. It was a beautiful day but the wind was still strong and it had not warmed much. 

2/14/15 Little Long Pond

Cold  ( 8 degrees ) but sunny and no wind . Blizzard warning for tonight and tomorrow so we wanted a nice hike today. We were here ten days ago and couldn't park because the parking area hadn't been plowed out and on the west side no one had been on the trails. Today we were able to park on the east side. There still hasn't been a lot of activity but there was a narrow packed path with pretty good footing.

Looking across the pond

and a view further along

Lichen

When we reached the bridge and tried to go west the trail was not well used and walking more difficult for both of us and we turned back. Same result when we tried going north so we returned the way we had come. We always meet people and dogs here but today had met no one 'till when almost back we met two skiers and their two dogs.

I always take a picture from the end of the pond and had to go through heavy snow to get there today.

We continued across the bottom  to checked out the other side and it had not been used either so we drove to the parking lot on the west side but couldn't get up the hill, slid back and into a snow bank and were stuck. After several additions of sand and much rocking back and forth I got out and back down to the road. I gave up- we had only got in an hour and a half hike but it had been pretty. 

2/13/15 City Forest

Sunny but 5 degrees and windy. We wanted some place with a little protection from the wind and the forest provides that.

Still lots of snow ( and another blizzard forecast for this weekend ) . Fairly well packed so the footing was pretty good.

Neither of the side trails we use to make our loop ( using the rail bed ) had been used so I thought perhaps we could take the rail bed from the end of West, out across the frozen bog toward Forest Ave. When I went down to check it out there had only been a skier or two and Kelley did not even follow me down . The snow was just too deep for her.

That left a return via Main and Loop Rds. They had been plowed in the past and weren't too bad.

When we returned to West near the end we had not yet met anyone and then Kelley's friend Keturah  found us.

We waited for her mistress and while chatting with her we met two other hikers and then a skier as we walked back together.

A pretty day in spite of the cold and wind. 1  3/4 hours

2/12/15 Another Snowmobile Trail

Some trails added by me  are approximate.

Four degrees and gray, but fortunately no wind. This was our first visit here this winter.

To get to the trails you cross a large meadow which, in summer,  is a sanctuary for grassland birds.

and then enter some nice woods

The trail then follows a utility easement for a short distance

before coming onto the old rail bed

in a pond along the way

Eventually you come to this sign

as the trail swings out onto the bog,

We walked to the end and then turned back when the trail took a new turn across a farm.

Back on the rail bed

We then took a side trail to take us to an intersection with the trail we came in on.

And returned the way we came in. A nice hike in spite of the cold. The woods were pretty and it was peaceful as we met no one. 2 hours 

2/11/15 DeMeritt Forest

Eight degrees but sunny. Thought by now there might have been enough use of these trails to make them walkable. We started from the Logan Rd. entrance and followed the route indicated. Most of the trails were Kelley's choice but a couple had had too little use and we passed them by.


Starting out there had been enough use that the footing wasn't bad for me and was fine for Kelley

Then we came to a plowed section and walking was even easier.

This short section of the Black Trail was narrow but well packed

The main part was wider

The rest of the trails we used had had enough use to have pretty good footing

White

Red

Blue

Lichen and leaves

Almost back

A pretty good hike. Once we got moving the cold was not a problem , the woods were beautiful, and the trails were not a problem for Kelley. We had the place to ourselves until near the end we met a woman skier. 2  hours 

2/10/15 Dover-Foxcroft Area

Cold gray morning but no new snow. After watching Kelley struggle with deep snow yesterday I decided to return to the easy walking at  Dover-Foxcroft and try a different trail. We had done this trail once , a year or two ago and I knew it went through part of the outskirts of the town and wanted to see if we could find a different access point than the Irving. I did find a parking area about 45 minutes into the trail which was after the town and we will try that another day.

Some of the town stuff

Then we got into the woods

There were also some large meadows, making this a quite varied trail We had also passed near a large wood processing area where they were cutting up large trees. We couldn't see much but could hear them.

On the way back I felt we needed  at least one plant in the snow

This was better than I anticipated. The section through the edge of town was not as bad as I remembered , the footing was very good, Kelley seemed to enjoy it, and there were pretty  woods.  3  hours