Bear Brook - Pitch Pine, Bobcat, Salt Lick

 For as beautiful and well packed as the trails were last weekend. This weekend was the complete opposite. We have had warming conditions and the trails were a mess. Either ice, granular slush and even standing water. I tried to choose trails I thought might be in decent condition and for the most part these were. I parked in the hiker/biker lot on Podunk Road and was met with several horse trailers and a couple other brave souls. I started on Campground Road, which was mostly ice and continued to the Archery Range parking area. Here I picked up Pitch Pine Trail for a short distance, which was pretty and followed to Hemlock where I was last week. Today, however it was torn up. The snow had melted in a lot of places leaving a lot of Winter debris and just mess. There were still some pretty areas particularly when the sun came out bouncing between the trees. I took the Pitch Pine Hemlock connector back to Pitch Pine and followed back to Campground Road. I had expected Pitch Pine to be more well packed but it was a soft, slushy mess. I crossed Campground Road, staying on Pitch Pine and followed to the intersection with Broken Boulder Trail. This was definitely in better shape, more solid footing. I did the loop past the Smith Pond Shelter, which looked like a nice camping spot. I picked up Bobcat Trail, which was my favorite of the day. The sun kept coming and going creating a fun array of shadows and sparkles. Nothing to see, just a nice meander through the woods. I followed all the way to Podunk Road, then backtracked slightly to Salt Lick Trail. The first half of Salt Lick Trail was unbroken, except for what appeared to be horse tracks. It was wet and slushy and quite a slog at the end of my hike. Thankfully after half a mile or so, where Moose Trail intersects, it became more packed and easier going. I stayed on Salt Lick back to Campground Road and returned to my car. 3 more check marks on my redlining spreadsheet. About halfway through Bear Brook State Park. This place is big!

Strava Activity

Campground Road

pretty spot along Hemlock Trail

crossing Camp Trail

Smith Pond Shelter

Smith Pond

Broken Boulder Trail

Bobcat off Broken Boulder

Salt Lick off Bobcat

Bear Brook - Hemlock Trail

 An unexpected Covidcation had me off the trails for a couple of weeks. Feeling more human, I was anxious to get outside, but knew I had to be careful as my fitness would not be where it was. Also, we had a blizzard last weekend, so breaking trail wasn't something I had any desire to do. I opted for more redlining at Bear Brook State Park. There are a LOT of trails there, so I had plenty of options. I chose Hemlock Trail and Camp Trail knowing that area is very popular with the fat bikes and I anticipated well packed trails. I chose wisely. Parking at the Hiker/Biker lot on Podunk Road, I set out. Again, I found the trail signs vs the map to be inconsistent, but had a downloaded track to follow to make sure I stayed on course. Right at the gate, Camp Trail (which is a groomed snowmobile trail) began and Pitch Pine Trail forked off after maybe a tenth of a mile. I followed that to Hemlock. This was a beautiful walk through the woods, past a rather steep ravine with Bear Brook meandering far below. I didn't see any blazes of any kind the entire length of the trail, but it was so well packed with bike tracks I had no issues following. I did wonder what it was like in Summer without the blazes. Turns out the bike track is well established amongst the greenery, so it doesn't appear it would be an issue then either. At the end, I opted to do the Old South Road Connector, which was only broken out half way before the bike tracks veered off the trail and went elsewhere. The section I had to break wasn't too deep and the snow was often so frozen, it was like walking on pavement. I wore spikes the entire hike, carrying my snowshoes, but never needing them. This trail passed a dilapidated old cabin which was a little freaky and connected to South Road which just had a chained gate at the end. Back on Hemlock Trail, I picked up Camp Trail (or Campground Trail as I've also seen it named) and followed that past the Archery Range pond parking area and back to the parking area. Nothing scenic along any of these trails, but it was a bluebird day and the snow does make everything very pretty. I passed 7 bikers total, 2 ATVs and 2 snowmobiles!

Strava Activity

Bear Brook - Beaver Pond

 We had some snow this week, so I wanted to go somewhere that I knew had a good chance of being broken out. Bear Brook is not only popular with hikers, fat bikers (in Winter) but there are several groomed snowmobile trails as well. I took a chance on the opposite side of the park than I had been visiting so far. I drove to Podunk Road on the Candia side and found a plowed out parking area just before the gate. Hoping this was for hikers, I parked (there is a house right across the street and the owner returned with her dog and didn't say anything, so I felt fairly confident it was OK). Room for 3 cars at the moment if parking carefully. I geared up with just spikes for the time being, but attached my snowshoes just in case. This turned out to be beneficial. Immediately beyond the gate you join the snowmobile network, so this was groomed. I was looking for Lynx Trail and headed off before quickly realizing (upon looking at my digital downloaded tracks) that I had passed it. I turned around and saw where the trail was. It is marked with a snowmobile marker, but no indication of a hiking trail. It was unbroken, and unmarked, but was easy to follow. A couple tenths in, I switched to snowshoes. This was my first time in my new snowshoes I got for Christmas. This was a good trail to test them out as there were no big climbs and nothing crazy to get stuck on. I descended a decent little steep and could see on my map that an access trail to Currier Road was ahead. To my surprise, when I came to this junction, the trail went from being unbroken to quite well traveled. I was so happy to see this, as well as an old fallen down sign saying Lynx Trail.. so at least I knew I had been on the right trail. The trail was wide and had been used by hikers and XC skiers. I met up with the Beaver Pond Loop Trail and was surprised again to see this well broken out with fat bike tracks. The trail narrowed here, so I decided to switch back to spikes. The trail looped around one side of Beaver Pond and I ended up passing 5 fat bikers (thankfully coming at me, so I was able to see them in advance and get out of the way easily enough). It was a pretty day and there was no wind, so I wasn't even all that cold. I actually layered down at the time I switched my shoes as I was getting a bit too warm. As the trail neared the campground, I could see 2 ATVs just sitting looking out over the pond. They turned out to be Fish & Game patrolling for illegal use of snowmobiles/ATVs in this section of the park. They asked if I had seen any, to which I hadn't and I continued on my way following Campground Road through the campground. Soon enough, both a snowmobile and ATV passed by me, quickly followed by the Fish & Game Officers. That was my excitement for the day. I followed the road to Spruce Pond Trail, which was a groomed snowmobile trail and followed that back to the campground to complete the Beaver Pond Loop Trail. I had seen some reports on TrailForks that there was a boardwalk over a marsh on this side of the trail and that as of last August, it was damaged. I wondered if it would be frozen enough to pass. Turns out, it had been repaired and I had no issues passing through. I passed 1 more rider, luckily not while on the boardwalk and met back up with Lynx Trail. I decided I was not feeling going back up the unbroken section, so opted for the access trail to Currier Road and followed the road back to the Podunk Rd and my car. 3 more trails checked off my redlining spreadsheet. 

Strava Activity

gate on Podunk Rd

Lynx Trail off Podunk Rd

where Lynx meets the access trail from Currier Rd

Lynx that was broken out from Currier Rd

Fish & Game patrolling

Pulpit Rock Conservation Area

 I had seen pictures of Pulpit Rock Conservation Area in Winter and wanted to go check it out. Knowing we have had some snow and freezing temperatures, I thought the waterfall/cascade areas might be pretty. I was right. After visiting Bridal Falls last year, I'm all about the frozen waterfalls. I had this area planned out into 2 hikes to complete all the trails and figured I'd do half now and the other half in the Spring once most of the snow has melted and hopefully the waterfalls/cascades are in full flow! I parked in the lot on New Boston Road, which I believe is the main lot for this area. I was the only car at 930am, which didn't surprise me with sub zero temperatures. Surprisingly the lot was full when I got back to the car around 1pm. I did pass several groups on my way out and was really surprised at how many people were not wearing traction on their footwear. I only saw a couple of people with spikes. While the trail was well packed down, it was quite icy in some sections and I found spikes necessary, especially down in the gorge. I will always do my best to be overly prepared. I started out on the Kennard Trail which was another lovely meander through the woods. Lots of low bridges covering areas that must see high water in season. Well maintained and well marked trails always make the day even more pleasant. At the first intersection, I took Campbell Trail, planning a loop around the gorge with a couple of out and backs per the map. Campbell Trail was slightly less traveled than Kennard, but was still packed down. I reached Scouting Way Trail and saw a CLOSED sign, however upon closer inspection underneath it said "Trail closed at other end" and there was evidence people had gone that way, so I figured I'd go as far as I could watching for any indication of where the trail was closed. I actually made it all the way to the road without seeing any signs. The previous footsteps became lighter and I figured it meant the trail was closed for parking access as it ended on a road in a neighborhood. The last couple tenths of this trail seemed very lightly used and I was glad for snow cover as it seemed to be rough with a lot of debris underneath. I imagine it's just locals of that neighborhood accessing via this path for the most part. At one point at a 90° turn there was a sign that said "Old Pulpit Farm Site", it seemed to be pointing up a little side path which was showing on my digital map, so I followed it, but it just ended in what looked like an orchard or something. Perhaps the farm remains were under the snow and I just didn't notice them as I passed by. Back on Campbell Trail, I was looking for Tufts Trail. I made it to the intersection with Ravine Trail and crossed a bridge. According to all the maps I had, Tufts Trail should have been right after this but for the life of me, I couldn't find it. I didn't want to venture too far down Pulpit Brook Trail looking for Tufts Trail as I didn't want to have to backtrack if I didn't find it. I could see very faded blazes and it looked like people had traveled where they went, so I thought that must be it. Started to follow but quickly reached a brook that didn't look easy to cross. Ice was thin and no rocks seemed visible for rock hopping. I heard and saw a couple with their dog on the other side, but they were further in, so I waited to see if they came down to the area I was so I could see where the trail was, but they didn't, so I figured I was not actually in the right place. I'm assuming the trail does actually begin further down Pulpit Brook Trail than I went, but I decided to take Ravine Trail instead. I had been concerned it would be too icy as I had read there were a couple steep sections, but figured I'd give it a shot. I'm really glad I did. The Ravine Trail follows the brook right up in the gorge under Pulpit Rock and was exactly what I had been hoping to see, which I wouldn't have if I'd taken my original route up Tufts Trail. All's well that ends well. There were definitely a couple sections that required some hand over hand crawling up due to the ice, but well placed roots and trees and faith in my spikes made all that doable. These sections were also very, very short. I couldn't stop taking pictures of all the frozen cascades, it was so pretty. I'm also glad I went in the direction I did, as I think it was easier going up those icy steep pitches, rather than down. Through the gorge and back up, I saw the other end of Tufts Trail, that will wait till I come back in Spring. There is a low bridge with a rope that I guess is to prevent you venturing too close to the edge and falling down into the gorge and a brief glimpse back down to where I was. I did a quick loop to finish off some short connector trails in that area and was back on Kennard Trail heading for the car. I did take the short off shoot to the campsite on the property and saw the tent platform and picnic table. I seem to have figured out layering, especially when there's no wind and stayed warm all day. A really wonderful day in a beautiful spot!

Strava Activity