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