2/18/16 Perch Pond

Trail system before additions by bike club - those in yellow are old woods roads.

Present system

Twenties, mostly cloudy with the sun trying to peak through. Trail conditions in general  still very iffy - We drove around yesterday and checked some of the nearby snowmobile trail and they were all in terrible condition -  so we picked something close and hoped for better conditions.

Starting on the North Trail ( an old woods road that runs close to and parallel with a woods trail)  we were surprised that there was more snow than at home.

In this  open area much of it was gone.

The small beaver pond was frozen

I broke some of the ice at the edge and Kelley took advantage.

Worm work

Once we got on the newer trails ( built by a bike club) we found there had been no recent use.

More broken ice

A little color

Perch Pond was frozen

On the way back we took the woods North Trail because of this small stream

These bog bridges looked like a challenge but were easy for both of us - Kelley will sometimes use them and other times not.

Turned out to be a good hike. There was little ice on the trails and the crusty snow supported Kelley and was mostly not deep for me. She did well and seemed to enjoy herself. Once again we had the place to ourselves. 1  3/4 hours 

2/17/16 Snowmobile Trails Dover-Foxcroft

Yesterday it was in lower 50's with rain into the evening. This morning it was around thirty with most of our snow gone, cloudy skies, and windy. This seemed to be our best bet for avoiding wet or slushy trails.

We started from the Irving on Rte 15 and took the trail that heads west. The start was very icy. There was also a lot more snow than at home.

But once we got in the woods there was good footing

One other open area was icy

Back in the woods

Because of the strong winds last night the snow was littered with bits from the trees which ruined my nice backgrounds for weeds. I did find this lichen on a rock.

Some of the blowdowns from last nights wind.

Decided to try a side trail we had not done before - primarily because there had been no recent use and it was nicely packed snow. It took us to the highway and went off in two directions. This was not the day to see where they went and we headed back

Another side trail looked like it would take us back to the main trail and it did.

Frozen wetlands

Other than the treacherous ice at the start the footing was pretty good and the woods still pretty. Kelley did well and seemed less bothered by the ice than she usually is. 1  3/4 hours

2/15/16 Glenburn Trails

Below zero again when we got up - waited until it got to 7 and then went to try a trail we hadn't been on yet this year. We parked at a store on broadway and headed east.

The trail was in pretty good shape.

When we reached Ohio St. the trail stopped and we couldn't find a continuation and headed back. At the intersection we met a man on a ATV who said they were rerouting part of the trail and he was going to see if it had been used yet. We continued back to where we started.

By our car was a group of snowmobilers eating pizza. They were unaware of the Ohio St. situation - conditions had been so bad this year that this was their first time out. They were heading the way we had just been and didn't know what they would find but said they had crossed the Kenduskeag so we headed in that direction.

This section was also in good shape.

I went out on the stream to get a picture.

The bank was very steep and Kelley just waited for me.

Time to head back. In spite of the confusing part of the trail it had been a good hike. The sun was nice, there was no wind, and Kelley seemed happy. 2 hours 

2/14/16 Essex Woods

We have had a couple of very cold days. Yesterday we just did a short walk around the neighborhood. This morning was colder still - minus 9 when we got up with wind chills to  minus 19 and a couple of inches of new snow. I decided since we didn't hike yesterday that we would try today - when it had warmed up to two. Kelley didn't want to get in the car so it was another short walk in the hood. Back home she wanted to stay out - and she did.

Later she came inside but before long wanted out again and this time went to the car. OK - short drive to Essex Woods - 2 degrees and wind chills to minus 17.

Even though it was one o'clock, no one had yet been on the initial trail . Firm under the little bit of new snow so good walking.

I only took a couple more pictures. It was a pretty day.

We did a short hike - one other person had been on the old rail bed but we saw no one - and Kelley seemed to enjoy it. When we got home she stayed in the car- as she usually does.

2/12/16 City Forest

Minus two degrees when we got up - I stalled until it reached five and then we headed for the forest. I didn't take many pictures.

Start of the trail looked like the footing wouldn't be bad.

Though I knew the beaver pond would be frozen, Kelley insisted we go down to it anyway.

She spotted a man on skis and his dog coming down the hill from Kittredge Rd. and we had to wait so she could greet them. As she was doing that, she spotted two more people coming down the hill - the mans wife and son- and we had to wait for them too.

When we got back to West Trail the man went one direction and his wife and son ( on snow shoes)and their dog  went the direction we were going. Kelley decided to walk with them and did so the whole way up West.

They were a little ahead of me .

But I would see them as I rounded curves

Near the end of West, Kelley stopped and sat as they continued, and we headed back

This was more pleasant than anticipated - no wind, Kelley was energetic, and the woods were pretty. There had been enough trail use to make pretty good footing. 1  1/2 hours 

2/11/16 Frye Mountain Area

Lower twenties, mostly cloudy. but no wind.  Decided on this area because our  hiking spots are iffy and there are several alternatives in this area.

These closed roads are normally nicely packed by snowmobiles but the start showed little use except by walkers.

and the nice snowmobile  trail near the start that goes toward Hogback had not been used so we continued on Walker Ridge Rd.

Waiting for me to take the picture

The trail to Frye Mt. had had one or two hikers and they were not on the actual trail. It was going to be a plod and Kelley sat to show she was not interested. Across the road the trail goes on to Hogback and that, at first, had more traffic.

but soon there was little use and  we turned back again.

Looking into the woods

The road, also crosses the Bartlett Stream, and  serves as part of an alternate route when the water is high making the crossing on the Frye Mt. Trail difficult.

Today the water was not high -  looking both ways

Tiny tree

When we reached the spot where the Frye Mt. trail crosses the road we found that trail unused.

At this point we stopped for an apple break and then headed back

Another small stream

Heading down to the car.

A bit frustrating at times but Kelley was enthusiastic and the surface was firm enough for her and she did well. It was pretty in the woods and we had the whole area to ourselves. 1  1/2 hours