Perfect End to 2010

The last couple of days have been sunny and temperate for December. Evvy and I have taken 2 hour snowshoe hikes both Thursday and today. These are the days where you can simply not step outside without saying "Thank You". Yesterday, we took a walk up the hill and beyond following game trails to a small brook. Just beyond a cornfield, at the edge of the woods, a virtual tangle of deer trails. I would guess five or six deer in this spot, who survived the not-so-great white hunters.

We walked around the deer playround for awhile, then made our way on to Derry Hill Rd. The Hooper Hill Hoppers have already been out with their groomer, getting ready for snowmobile season. We finally walked up John Stevens cabin. I followed someone else's tracks for a bit, but they lost their way if they were looking for the cabin. There had been several blow-downs out there, so losing the trail would have been easy.....if I had not been so familiar with the terrain. So I broke a new path around a huge fallen pine, and on to the cabin. I wished Mr. Stevens well, as he is buried there now, in his favorite spot. I think it is my favorite too.

Far Hills south west fence Today Evvy and I went to my other favorite spot, Fay Falls. Actually it was the lower falls. The falls were frozen solid. The pool below was somewhat open. It looked like a hot spring the way it gurgled. We moved downstream along the ice. Evvy broke through a couple of times but she didn't seem to mind. I followed a minute blood trail, that I deduced was a deer which had also broken through the ice cutting its leg.


White Pine with ice.

Fisher tracks

Evvy and friends at Far Hills Farm.

Evvy taunting the ice.

We continued downstream for quite some time. I wanted to find an otter slide, but I'm not entirely sure I found one. I did see something, similar to a slide, but it looked more like a "slip and fall". At last we came to an ancient logging trail. I decided to follow it knowing we would have to pop out some where on the Far Hills Farm. We did in fact break out of the woods in a neat spot. I wish I could say I had seen lots of game trails here, but the trails were of horses. The horses led themselves to a tiny pond at the bottom of a bowl. Evvy and I climbed to the top rim and looked to the west to see Alysson's Orchard and Westminster, VT beyond. I could have easily laid down on the snow and sucked the marrow out of that moment. Instead, I paid a visit to the two horses who(because they are people too). The two horses were munching what grass they could find. Neither was the least bit interested in me or Evvy. I hated to leave, but the reality of time is that we have to be somewhere eventually. So we made a northerly tack, back into the woods on a short bushwhack over barbed wire fence and stonewalls, and out to County Rd. I can't imagine a better way to end the year!

Walk up to High Blue

Today's walk started at the entrance to the Daniel Upton forest in Walpole, off of Scovill Rd. There is a radio tower to the south of the road entrance. Then you walk or drive (with 4x4) several hundred yards to a clearing where people have been target practicing over the years. The trail starts at a very visible sign put up by The Society for the Protection of NH Forests. You walk through a large pasture then to an old gate with granite walls on either side. We continued west past an old cellar hole, where you can still see the remnants of the fireplace. Nearby is a small pond/vernal pole in the spring. Now ice covers the pond, and I suspect I will take a shovel up there and push the snow away for peaceful skating. The pond isn't big enough for many people. But Evvy and I had a good time.

There is a small path to the left that leads done to Derry Hill, and the Galloway property. That hike is very nice, with opportunities to see deer, and moose. We didn't take that trail this day. We continued on to the "scenic vista" which faces west toward Bellows Falls, VT. There are some narrow footpaths down the slope that lead to several granite outcroppings with cairns piled on top.

After hanging out at the overlook, we meandered down the path and took a side trip, following someone else's footprints away from the path. We followed them out to the 4x4 road, and across. The land on the other side of the road, is an easement maintained by the Monadnock Conservancy. There is a hunting camp out there which offers a nice view to the east toward

Surry. But Evvy and I didn't go to the camp. We followed the footprints to a familar trail through deciduous woods, granite slabs with juniper bushes growing in the cracks of rock. The trail is narrow in places, making the snowy scene seem magical. At one point you pop out on a spot that was probably an excellent place to look over to Surry Mountain. Unfortunately, after many years of overgrowth, you can't see more than about twenty yards. There is a bench made of granite blocks, and a fire pit also constructed of rocks. This place has always been so tranquil. I like to camp there one day, and listen to the wild things at night.

We made our way back to the west, where we stood facing the radio tower at sunset. What great pinks, and orange colors. The hills and pastures here are great for hunting. I spotted a moose here one year. I did not see a single moose track today. Evvy on the other hand found a frozen slab of moose skat, which she proudly picked up and carried around. Occasionally she would drop the giant cookie-like snack, and take a bite. Of I don't approve of her taste in snacks, but if I try and take it away, she wags her tail and gallops off with her prize.

After a couple hours we finally made our way back to the truck. Evvy was sufficiently tuckered out, and I very satisfied with all the wonders I'd seen.

December Morn

Yesterday morning, I loaded Evvy up in the truck and headed to Derry Hill for some exploring along the granite boulders and cliffs. My intent was to look for bear and deer sign. I parked the truck next to an old cellar hole.


The dug well

A piece of natural art. The roots of the black birch tangled around the rock, lifting it right out of the ground. "Gnarly man".

Nearby, the "dug well" with a piece of steel covering the hole. I removed the cover revealing the water. I took a long stick and stuck it down into the well. I wanted to know how deep the well was. I figured the well would be only a couple of feet deep, because through the years they fill up with dirt and "stuff". I took the stick out and measured the water level. I estimated the depth of the well to be 5' deep. I was surprised.

We walked up a long defunct skidder trail. At times the trail nearly vanished with brush growing in it, and ruts disappearing. I rarely stay on a trail, because I figure the real action is happening off the trail. So we walked back and forth across the trail or made large circles winding up back on the trail. I like to explore the many granite cliffs and hidey holes of Walpole. I rarely have a hike where I see nothing. We flushed a Grouse, or I should say Evvy did. Then she located a wonderful pile of bear skat, composed completely of corn! I would have taken a photo of it because it was bright yellow. Unfortunately, Evvy took the opportunity to gobble it all up...Yuck.

I found this gnawing about 5' 6" feet up on a hemlock. I know the height because I'm alittle shorter than 5'6"...ok, 3 inches shorter.

We worked our way around two bogs up on top of the hill. Ice covered the bogs, so of course I had to check it out, by walking on top. Neither of us broke through the ice. I searched for fresh animal tracks in the new snow, but few prints were found. I did find, mouse and fox tracks though.

I began to make a circle back toward Derry Hill Rd. to a large outcropping of granite. Up there, the granite is broken up in some places. Some of the rocks are nearly square, resembling bricks. I was tempted to build a little fortress, like I would as a kid. But recovering from a mild concussion sustained in a floor hockey game the previous, I opted to just keep taking photos. Evvy continued her romping around, gobbling up all the black jelly beans she could find.

I took this picture on top of Derry Hill. The little red things are only about 1/2" tall, a type of lichen. Sorry I haven't identified it yet.

This Evvy peeking out an opening in a rock fort that someone else put together. It has two walls about 3' tall. The shape of the rocks make for easy stacking. Evvy was inside rooting around after something.

Madame Sherri Forest, etc.

Despite the fact that it is now December, there is no snow yet. Personally, I'm glad because it makes hiking a lot easier. This trail is part of the Anne Stokes loop in the Madame Sherri Forest, in Chesterfield, NH. I took Evvy over there for a few hours. When we got there we bushwacked around the first beaver pond you see at the entrance on Gulf Rd. It was relatively easy because I just followed the well worn paths created by the beavers(below).

We explored the massive granite cliffs, and boulders that form a great ravine where the beaver ponds are. I counted three ponds in all. The oldest pond was at the highest point and had several inactive beaver dens. A great dam was created at this pond. The active beaver den is now in the first pond.

I found evidence of porcupines all around the boulders, at the cliffs. I noticed that this ridge of cliffs continued far up the hill to Daniel Mtn. At the intersection of Daniel Mtn trail, I continued to the right on Anne Stokes loop. This part of the trail gets steep fast, but the climb is well worth the work. At the top are some awesome views to the south, and the later to the north. Not a soul around. I could not imagine a more peaceful moment. We continued down the narrow footpath to Indian Pond. The pond was even more tranquil. I counted four beaver dens on the pond, though several were very old and sunken. Past hikers had come to this spot and built campfires, which I disapprove of. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful place. I imagined camping out there, and wondered how many others had.

We continued down the path, and I decided to sit down for a snack while Evvy explored. She had endless energy, always moving, leaping, tracking smells. I felt ashamed I had not ventured to this place before, ever! Madame Sherri Forest is so close to where I live, there is really no excuse for not going there. I had visited the ruins many times, but never really hiked beyond that. I'm so glad I did, today. There were still green ferns, in addition to the Evergreen Ferns that stay green all winter long. The large stands of Mountain Laurel(?) were everywhere. Even if there was wildlife around, they would be completely concealed. It was magical walking through these areas. I felt like I could have stayed out there forever. My imagination wandered with abandon. Most of the hike was through hardwoods, with islands of Hemlock.

The hike down the north side of the mountain(?) was precarious with steep, loose rocks, and roots. At times, the trail was so steep, I stepped down backwards, like you would, going down a ladder. I made sure my cell phone GPS was enabled just in case I had a fall. You never know. As I get older I have to consider that I'm not as unbreakable as I am today. Don't get me wrong, I'm not frail. I'm still pretty hardy, but the thought of falling out there, alone was disconcerting. It would suck, and unfortunately Evvy isn't trained to go fetch help. She wouldn't leave me anyway. So I just made damn sure I didn't fall. I had a walking stick, which offered support.

When we reached the bottom of the hill, we popped out at the first beaver pond. This time on the travelled side. On this side there is a very active beaver den. As I got closer to it, a beaver slipped under the water. He didn't slap his tail as they usually do when sounding the alarm. I hoped I would see him pop up again, but he stayed out of sight.

Evvy and I spent some time at the castle ruins. I noticed a predominant theme in the stone work. Sets of three arches. A set of three in the "grand staircase", and also behind the house in the foundation. At the trail head there is a photo of the house before it burned down. The three arches were a part of the window arrangement as well. I wondered if the Madame were reaching for the Holy Trinity, ironic since Antoinette frequently entertained sordid parties where who knows what went on? I would have loved being a bug on the walls of the house during those years. What a hoot!