Plymouth Mountain

 It's been a few weeks since I've hiked an actual mountain, and it's been a few years since I've hiked a mountain with snow. Checked both those boxes today. Temperatures this weekend were forecast to be on the warmer side of cold, and I was inspired by a post in a Facebook group I saw of a fellow hiker who said he was able to reach the summit without any traction. I headed out for Plymouth Mountain with all my Winter gear in check. My biggest challenge is clothing. I get hot and sweaty, which then makes my clothing damp, which then makes me cold.. repeat. So, I'm navigating through how to dress appropriately and thought today without subzero temps would be a good practice run. I opted for the Fauver Link and Sutherland Trails to the top, as these are supposedly the more well traveled trails. There is a parking area on Old Hebron Road in Plymouth with ample parking for several cars. There is a kiosk a few hundred yards in from the trailhead with a caution sign about the ledges above Pikes Peak on the way to the summit being dangerous if icy or wet. This had me a little nervous, but I figured I'd go as far as I felt safe, and if I had to turn around, I would. Within the first half mile, I had to stop several times to adjust my layers, but finally found a happy place that got me to the summit. The trail started out with a very light dusting of snow in some places, and in others was completely bare with no sign of Winter. Right at 1 mile however, that changed to an almost complete snow cover of about an inch and as I worked my way up the snow deepened to roughly 2-4 inches. There was a well worn foot bed, and the trail is well blazed, so I had no issues with navigation, and I was easily able to reach the view ledges of Pikes Peak without traction. The trail itself is relatively moderate for a 2K+ mountain, however my lack of mountain climbing over the past couple of weeks, coupled with heavier footwear and pack and I was gassed! I need to work on my Winter fitness, that was obvious. At about 2 miles you reach the intersection for the Pikes Peak view ledge and the trail to the summit. Around this area, the trees became a really pretty pine forest which the snow just made feel rather magical! I had to stop and just look around a couple times, it felt so peaceful. The view ledge is a short distance from the intersection and has a distant view over to the Franconia Notch area. I couldn't see a lot as there was incoming weather and the cloud cover was low. However it was a pretty spot to stop for a snack and add a layer. I headed on towards the summit and wondered what lay ahead. The trail is described as rugged. The only real difficulty I found was some of the slabs were quite steep, and with the snow it made it quite slippery. Thankfully in most cases there were sturdy trees I was able to grab onto and pull myself up. One time I got a little way up before sliding (ie tumbling and rolling) all the way back down! That must have been a sight! No damage as thankfully snow is soft. I ended up having to crawl on my hands and knees to make it up that one. Several I just opted to butt slide down as well. Easier and safer than trying to jump or walk down. That 0.4 section is definitely an adventure, I am curious to come back and see what it's like without snow! I had initially had thoughts of taking the spur to the East Cliffs viewpoint, but after the adventure getting that far and the incoming weather seemingly closer than forecast, I opted to do that next time. I read the views from the East Cliffs are far superior to Pikes Peak, so another distant thought in bypassing this time was to wait for a clearer day to enjoy said views! I eventually made it to the summit, which is wooded, however there is a sign marking the top. Soon after I arrived, a couple came up behind me. The first people I had seen all day. I did end up seeing 2 other parties on my descent. I was surprised as I had read how quiet this mountain usually is! I put on Microspikes for the descent, and that definitely made the initial 0.4 back to the Pikes Peak junction much easier. I kept them on to close to the snow line and was able to make easy work of the downs making it back to the car a mere 10 minutes before it started raining. 

Strava Activity

This one was high up!

at the 1 mile mark looking at the snow

same spot facing the other direction!

Odiorne Point State Park

 Inevitably the day after a snowstorm is beautiful. Today was no exception. I chose Odiorne Point State Park as I anticipated the seacoast area to have received less snow than interior portions of the state. I was right. I wasn't feeling up to breaking trail, so this was a perfect choice. I had been to the park a couple times several years ago on field trip with one of my kids and with the family, but we hadn't really explored the trails, just the Seacoast Science Center. I opted to park at the Boat Launch parking area, put my fee in the Iron Horse for it being a State Park and set out with a map and a general idea of attempting to do a big circle of the property, filling in the blanks with the interior trails by looping or out and backs if necessary. None of the interior trails are particularly long, so I wasn't concerned about having to double over trails. As it turned out, I was actually able to do it all with only a couple spots of doubling up. Worked out well. The "tricky" part about redlining this park is nothing is labelled or blazed, so at intersections you just had to assume by reading the map that you were where you thought you were. There were also a lot of offshoots all over the place where people had created shortcuts, so a couple times I wondered if I was still on the "official" trail or if I had wandered somewhere else. It wasn't that it was difficult to navigate, I was just concerned in making sure I hit every trail! About 5 miles and 2 hours later, I'm pretty sure I got every trail I needed to, with the exception of the Bike Path, which I'll go back and do at another time. The weather was breezy, but not unpleasant if wearing enough layers. The snow was minimal and easy enough to traverse in bare boots. I was surprised at the number of people out and about, and tracks already in the snow! It was nice to see the ocean much of the way and enjoy some completely different scenery than all the other trails in the Guide Book. Turned out to be a great day!

Strava Activity

Trail kiosk at Boat Launch parking area

per the Seacoast Science Center map - this is along the Sagamore Trail

Frost Point breakwater

Battery Seaman Gun #2 Casemate

Monument to the 1st settlers of NH

Gun mounts

other side of the 1st settlers monument

Piscassic Greenway

 I finished out my weekend of low impact hiking at Piscassic Greenway in Newfields. Another SELT property. I am really enjoying these walks through these forests/parks. Naturally it's nice to get a view, reward for the effort, but sometimes it's just nice to take a walk as well. I'm glad the AMC South Trail Guide includes these types of places, change of pace and wonderful to explore. I had my buddy Cameron with me today and we set out with the goal of redlining the entire property in 1 trip. I had figured it to be about 6 miles. The SELT properties are definitely some of the best maintained that I have encountered so far. Every intersection is signed with directions and mileage and the trails are blazed well. This property had quite a lot of extra maintenance with bridges and it looks like more to come as I saw quite a bit of timber alongside the trail in places. We started on Bald Hill Road on the Mraz Trail. It starts by crossing a farm before heading into the woods. We then came to the Byrne Trail, which we followed all the way to the end (by taking a left). I didn't actually see signage referring to it as the Byrne Trail, the signs had markers like "Wildlife Viewing Platform" and "Schanda Farm" but the yellow blazes matched that on the map. At the end of the Byrne Trail be on the lookout for a gate to the right of the trail, this is the SELT boundary. It appears a private trail continues straight, so if you're not paying attention you may not realize you've reached the end of the trail. Also of note, the map currently on the SELT website shows Byrne Spur Trail with Winter Access Only. This is outdated. They have since built a bridge to cross the marsh allowing for year round access. This also cut about a mile off our walk as we were able to link Byrne Spur Trail and Otis Hill Trail with a quick Class VI road walk of maybe half a mile. We were able to complete the entire map in just under 5 miles, and very little elevation change. I really enjoyed these trails and this little piece of forest. 

Strava Activity

Mraz Trail

Mraz Loop South

end of Byrne Trail at Rockingham Rail Trail

a private cabin alongside Byrne Trail

Byrne Trail

alongside Otis Hill Trail

Start of Otis Hill Trail off Neal Mill Road

end of Byrne Spur Trail at Neal Mill Road

new bridge on Byrne Spur Trail

wildlife viewing platform on Byrne Spur Trail

intersection of Byrne Trail and Byrne Spur Trail

gate at the end of Byrne Trail

Mraz Loop North

Mraz Loop North

interesting find along Mraz Loop North

intersection of Mraz Loop North and South

start of Mraz Trail at Bald Hill Road

parking on Bald Hill Road

Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge Center

 To celebrate another spin around the sun, I was able to get my family out for a walk. This made me happy. I chose Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge. An area included in the AMC South Trail Guide for redlining. This area is near the Pease Airforce Base and has 2 trails. The Peverly Pond Trail is a 0.5 mile handicap accessible boardwalk loop past Upper Peverly Pond. Was a bit slick today after recent rain, but was still a super easy, nice walk. The other trail is the William Furber Ferry Way Trail, which begins across the street and starts off skirting a former weapons storage area (safely fenced off). This trail is a lollipop loop out to Great Bay on a mostly wide, easy grade gravel trail just over 2 miles long. It was a bit wet and mushy today without much to see as it's another grey, overcast day. I was just happy to be out with my family. 

Strava Activity

Peverly Pond Trail

Peverly Pond Trail

along Peverly Pond Trail

William Furber Ferry Way Trail

nice view across a former weapons storage area ;)

Field where the trail lollipops back around