Saddleback Mountain - Northwood Meadows

 It was a frigid, but gorgeous day today. Laura and I decided to explore some of the expanded trails on Saddleback Mountain over at Northwood Meadows. I've hiked over there countless times, including the original loop up and over the slopes of Saddleback and even once bushwhacked to the true summit. My first and only real bushwhack. We parked at the end of Old Mountain Road and geared up. I was surprised to see the woods road section packed down as much as it was, so we initially were able to get by with bare boots. I opted to go to the furthest intersection so we'd have a shorter distance to go upon our return. When we got to Parsonage Lot Trail, it was well packed down, but we opted to go with snowshoes for better traction on the ascent. The light hitting the snow through the trails made everything rather magical today. The only point of interest along the trail is a viewpoint north about halfway up. From here, we picked up Link Trail, climbing up the junction with Ravine Loop. Initially we were going to do all the trails, but the extra energy of walking in snowshoes for the first time in years did my energy in, so we opted to stay on Link Trail, and at the intersection with Ravine Loop on the other end, took Lalish Trail back down. This was the only section that was unbroken. Snow depth wasn't deep though, so it was easy going. There is a section that follows very closely alongside a marsh. I'm curious what that section is like when it's not frozen! There was also a signed area fall some falls, but of course everything was frozen today. Right near the road there was one stream crossing that was a bit dicey as the ice wasn't totally solid, but we were able to carefully navigate across some rocks. Once back on the old woods road, we returned to the car. I think I'll save going back to finish the area until the snow has melted to compare! 

Strava Activity

heading out from the end of Old Mountain Road

looking up at Saddleback Mountain

viewpoint along Parsonage Lot Trail at Link Trail intersection

Lalish Trail

Lalish Trail back on the old woods road

Collins Family Forest

 It was cold today, but we had some rain last week so I thought maybe the ground would be less snowy. It was and it wasn't, but the conditions were just fine. I chose Collins Family Forest, and initially bit off more than I could chew, so I'll have to go back and finish another day. I parked at the Collins Path kiosk on North Shore Road, which was plowed and clear. There was a thin layer of snow on the ground, but I opted to bare boot and carry my spikes just in case. I ended up being able to bare boot the entire day. I went up Collins Path to the Chesley Connector. This entire area is just lovely walks in the woods, no real points of interest, but everything is well marked and well maintained. I took a left on Chesley Connector and followed that to Chesley Road. To avoid doubling back, I walked the road just a tenth of a mile up to Homestead Trail. There was a cellar hole here. I took Homestead Trail past the intersection with Collins Path and continued to Mt Molly Trail. Here, I did an out and back on Mt Molly Trail down to the kiosk on North Shore Road. This was a steep little section, but thankfully short. I continued on Mt Molly Trail up to the summit. There was a short, steep section just before the summit, and today it was completely clear of snow and ice, which was good. I imagine it could be tricky otherwise. Just before the summit I followed a herd path to some ledges with some views over Merrymeeting Lake.. then followed up to the actual summit where there are gorgeous open views across the lake and the surrounding peaks. Coming off Mt Molly Trail on the backside was very, very icy, but luckily there was enough space and snow alongside that I was able to skooch without any issues. Just slowed me down a little making sure I didn't slip and fall. I followed Mt Molly Trail to the kiosk on Devil's Den Road, and then walked the road up to Devil's Den Trail. This was a bit icy as it's a Class VI road and unmaintained, but I was able to walk along the edge without issue. Devil's Den Trail is not on the map yet, but is marked. I had no issues with navigation, though a few more blazes might be helpful. At this point, there is colored flagging in between the blazes which helped. This side of the mountain must not see the sun as much, as the snow cover here was a bit deeper, but not enough to cover my boots and I was able to walk through it easily enough. At Valley Way, I had planned an out and back to cover the piece between here and Mt Molly Trail, but I was getting really tired and had been going slower than expected, so I didn't want to run out of daylight. I took Valley Way back towards North Shore Road. This passed the bottom of the rock face on Mt Molly which had some impressive cliffs. Back at Mt Molly Trail, I retraced my steps to Homestead Trail, and then back to Collins Path, taking that back to the car. 

Strava Activity

Collins Path kiosk

Chesley Connector at Chesley Road

cellar hole at Homestead Trail trailhead

Homestead Trail at Chesley Road

Homestead Trail and Collins Path intersection

Mt Molly Trail at North Shore Road

Mt Molly Trail and Homestead Trail intersection

below summit views

summit views

ice on the backside of Mt Molly trail coming off the summit

Mt Molly Trail 

Devils Den Trail at Devils Den Road

Devils Den and Valley Way intersection

Valley Way and Owls Head Trail intersection

Valley Way and Homestead Trail intersection

Gilman Pond Recreation Area

 I needed some fresh air, but didn't want to do anything too long or too far away. After consulting my spreadsheet, I decided to explore the Gilman Pond Recreation Area in Alton. There is access on either side of this area, I opted to start/finish on Gilman's Corner Road. The ground had a very light dusting of snow that looked like powdered sugar, otherwise it was just a brisk, sunny day to be out. There is a very short gravel road walk to a picnic bench and monument stone from the parking area. From here Dave Lawrence Trail marked with blue blazes begins. There was a short path down to the pond with a bench which I went down to first. Then continued along the trail. I opted to go up Seavey Trail. The trail weaved up and over what has been dubbed Gilman Pond Hill. With the leaves off the trees, I could see through to the pond and it was lovely and light. I started to see some amazing rock formations, and had I read the Guide, I'd have known this area was a former quarry. I was fascinated by the pancake formations on the rock and stopped quite a few times to just take it all in. I came up to an old woods road, which I assumed was a snowmobile trail (again, had I read the Guide, I'd have seen that this was actually part of the redlining spreadsheet, so I'll have to come back! No worries, it was a lovely area). As I reached the height of land, I looked at Peakbagger and noticed the summit wasn't far off trail, so I decided to explore and reached the point marked on the map. I noticed some rock steps and more cool rock formations (the former quarry, which I didn't know at the time) and went off to explore. All this is in the Guide, so I was not a prepared hiker to not have this information ahead of time. I was also really surprised to find some family plaques on the side of the rock face. I discovered the woods road I had crossed led to this point, so I followed that back to Seavey Trail and retraced my steps up and then continued over to finish the trail. Back on Dave Lawrence Trail, I did an out and back to the other end on Drew Hill Road. Taking Dave Lawrence Trail back, on the map it looks like it skirts the pond.. which it does eventually, but initially it weaved up and through some even more fascinating rock formations. I reached Overlook Trail (not marked with a sign) with white blazes and did an out and back on this, which connects back up to Seavey Trail. This trail was much more technical than I had anticipated, but was so pretty and lots of fun. Passing very close to the rock formations which were covered in ice drips and one view point over the pond. Back on Dave Lawrence Trail, it now continued down closer to the pond and back to the car. This hike ended up being so much more than I had expected, I really enjoyed it! 

Strava Activity

Kiosk on Gilman Corner Rd

powdered sugar covering the trail

Kiosk on Drew Hill Rd