Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway Section 13

 After my trudge last week in just a small amount of snow, I wasn't interested in repeating that adventure.. so headed for some road sections. I decided on half of Section 13 of the Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway, beginning where I had left off at Wadleigh State Park in Sutton. I found the entrance to Kearsarge Valley Trail on Penacook Road was plowed with enough room (and no signs forbidding) to park without blocking the gate. It was exceptionally windy today so all the Winter gear came out. I started out down Penacook Road, which begins by following the shore of Kezar Lake. Aside from the wind, it was a gorgeous day. There were actually quite a few people out walking along this hard packed dirt road. About halfway down there is a great view across to Mt Kearsarge. The road leaves the lake and gently starts to climb towards Kings Hill. At the end of Penacook Road, turn left onto Kings Hill Road. I knew this was only drivable part of the way, then became a Class VI road, but I was surprised to see the plowed section was much further down than I had expected. Initially I was hesitant to continue as I wasn't really interested in any snow trudging, but as I got closer I could see it had been broken out by a couple sets of footprints, so I decided to give it a go with the mindset of turning around if it became too unpleasant. The snow depth was maybe 3-4 inches, but the prints were well set in and I was able to literally walk in this persons footsteps. I was surprised to see a parking area a short ways along for Maple Leaf Nature Area that consisted of some trails which had seen snowmobile use as well, making the path even more tolerable! The road climbs quite steadily, but being a road there is only the ascent to contend with, no tricky footing. I reached some signs for Sutton Conservation Land and a road (named Poor Farm Rd on the map) went left. The snowmobile and foot traffic followed the road, whereas the SRKG continued straight on the now Class VI portion of Kings Hill Road. Immediately I was met with major flooding and mud. I only made it up a few hundred feet before calling it a day, deciding to come back when it was drier. I didn't finish too far short of my intended turnaround point at the height of land, so I was pleased with the days accomplishment. I turned around and headed back downhill enjoying the peekaboo views across to Kearsarge. Once back at Penacook Rd, I decided instead of doing a straight out and back I'd continue around the lake. The mileage wasn't really any different and it would provide a change of scenery. I'm really glad I opted to do that, the neighborhood around the lake is just gorgeous. Slowly but surely I'm checking off the miles on my redlining spreadsheet!

Strava Activity

starting point on Penacook Rd

Mt Kearsarge across Kezar Lake

Left onto Kings Hill Rd

where the plowed section ended

some nice tracks to follow though

start of Class VI section

my turnaround point

Kings Hill from Keyser St

Metacomet-Monadnock Trail Section 5

 We had a big snow/ice storm yesterday, so my concern was staying as far south as possible in the area that received the least amount of snow. I decided to finish Section 5 of the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail. I hit the nail on the head with snow totals, what I grossly underestimated was the conditions from the ice part of the storm. I parked at Rhododendron State Park, which had not been plowed, but was drivable to access. Geared up and headed into the park. The low hanging rhododendron plants were like a wall at times from the leaves being covered in ice. I left the park boundary and started the climb to the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail intersection just below the Little Monadnock summit. I was first tracks this morning, but the trail is well marked and was easy to navigate. The snow did not give any issue either being only a couple inches deep. It was a gorgeous bluebird day and the ice on the branches made everything sparkle. Once at the M-M intersection, I headed right to complete Section 5 that Laura and I had half done a few weeks ago. The trail is well marked, but the low hanging branches, trees down sporadically and the white blazes against the white snow sometimes made them hard to see. Immediately I had issue finding the trail down, but thankfully had a predownloaded track that I was able to use to help me navigate. The next 1.5 miles consists of coming down the slopes of Little Monadnock Mountain plus a couple bumps to reach Old Richmond Road. I knew it was going to be downhill, but had not expected how steep it would be in places. Once I finally found the trail coming off the highpoint, it opened up to a gorgeous view across to Mt Monadnock. Leaving this area, I had trouble finding the trail again, I eventually spotted a blaze at the bottom of a very steep, short descent. I honestly didn't think I'd be able to get down with the snow, definitely not standing anyway. I looked around for a safe spot to slide, probably spent way more time than necessary.. everything just looked super steep. I eventually settled on a spot right at the blaze, and then spent even more time building up the courage to slide down. I kept thinking about amusement park rides and waterslides way bigger and longer than this that people do without even thinking about it! I made it down safely.  The trail then continued to descend through the woods. At one point it crossed a powerline swath which is marked with small stakes and a white blaze.. it was very wet/muddy in this area. Although very shallow snow, it was a trudge and started to feel a bit never ending! Eventually I met up with Old Richmond Road, and encountered my first person of the day. This Class VI section was about 3/4 of a mile and was very wet and slushy. I was very glad to make it to Prospect Street, an actual road. The road walk was a mile and goes down a rather steep hill. I had known this having driven it a couple months ago, and knew I did not want to go up that hill! I reached the Troy Depot, and this completed what I needed for Section 5. I did need to get back to my car however, and not wanting to return the way I came, I had looked on the map beforehand and saw that the Cheshire Rail Trail ran south and intersected with Rookwood Road, which led back to Rhododendron State Park. I hoped these were all passable after the storm. They were and it made the walk back much less difficult. I was surprised how well traveled the Rail Trail already was after the storm. It was easy going, but ever so slightly uphill. Rookwood Road initially was residential then became a Class VI road that had already been well traveled by Jeeps. I made it back to the car, tired but feeling accomplished!

Strava Activity

parking lot shot of the sparkles

view of Monadnock from the intersection

better view a little way down M-M Trail

the short, steep section I had to slide down

powerline swath

that was all mud under that ice

Prospect St road walk

end of Section 3 at Troy Depot

Cheshire Rail Trail heading south

Wantastiquet-Monadnock Trail Cheshire Rail Trail Part 3

 There was chances of rain in the forecast today, so I opted to stay low again, as has been the trend this Winter and finish the Cheshire Rail Trail section I needed on the Wantastiquet-Monadnock Trail. I parked my car at the parking area for the Cheshire Stone Arch Bridge on Rt 101, where I had turned around 2 weeks ago. Carefully crossing Route 101, there is a small connector path over to Marlboro St. You will see a WM Blue Diamond blaze on the guard rail at the end of the street. Follow down Marlboro St to the Eastern Ave intersection and turn right here. This busy street has a sidewalk, which was nice. Head ever so slightly uphill for just about a tenth of a mile and the Cheshire Rail Trail bears left off the road onto a dedicated Rail Trail with parking and kiosk. This was a nicely paved flat section, that they have done their best to "fancy" up with some greenery and benches periodically as it passes through an industrial area. Just under a mile from Eastern Ave, the trail enters a parking lot. Turn right here and then turn left alongside the back of a hotel with an outdoor seating area before entering Railroad Square in downtown Keene. It was quiet for me being relatively early on a Sunday morning, but I imagine it could be busy.. but also provides some snack stop options if needed with lots of restaurants and bars in the area! Crossing Main Street, the Rail Trail passes what looked like an old train station and continues down between parking lots to School Street. The trail is relatively well marked at turns with signs and occasionally a Blue WM blaze could be spotted as well, though I do recommend a good map which made it much easier to confirm I was making all the correct turns. Turn left on School St and continue for 1 block. At Emerald St, turn right and continue till the street runs out and the Rail Trail continues over a bridge. One word of caution if hiking this section around the same time as I did.. there is a road closure on Island Street which has detoured pedestrians one block over to the Ashuelot Rail Trail. You will pass the entrance to the Ashuelot Rail Trail and may notice a bright orange DETOUR sign... ignore this and continue straight on Emerald St, that sign is strictly for pedestrian access along Island St and does not affect the Cheshire Rail Trail or W-M Trail at all. Once you pass over the bridge at the end of Emerald St, you will reach Island St. Turn right here and head just about a tenth of a mile down to where the Cheshire Rail Trail heads off to the left on a dedicated pathway again. The trail crosses over the Ashuelot River and continues down to another bridge that crosses over Route 9. I have driven under this bridge so many times thinking about how I'd have to walk over it at some point in my redlining journey. Today was that day! The other side of the bridge becomes hard packed dirt trail for the next 1.8 miles or so and you leave downtown, entering a prettier area amongst houses. This is a long straight line with no elevation. The trail also passes through Keene Country Club along this section which is definitely much more scenic. After crossing several roads, eventually you will come to Whitcomb Mill Road which has a Rail Trail parking area and gate. Cheshire Rail Trail continues across Whitcomb Mill Road and into the woods. The Wantastiquet-Monadnock Trail turns left here and climbs up Whitcomb Mill Road, crosses Route 9 and continues up to Daniels Hill Road where there is signage for the Horatio Colony Preserve. Turn left onto Daniels Hill Road and continue down to the entrance for Horatio Colony Preserve. This was my turnaround point at 5.5 miles from my car. I basically backtracked the way I came with a couple shortcuts. It started to sprinkle when I had a couple miles left. I made it back to the car in just over 11 miles and within 5 minutes of being back the heavens opened and it started pouring. Couldn't have timed that any better had I tried!

Strava Activity

starting point on Rt 101

connector path from Rt 101 to Marlboro St

onto Marlboro St

right on Eastern Ave

left onto the Cheshire Rail Trail

some fun benches

right in the parking lot

across Railroad Square

left on School St

Right on Emerald St

end of Emerald St where the Rail Trail continues

right on Island St

left onto the Rail Trail

across the Ashuelot River

crossing Rt 9

through Keene Country Club

left on Whitcomb Mill Rd

left on Daniels Hill Rd

Horatio Colony Preserve