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.