Grand Central Station: for Moose & White Tails that is.

Lately, I have had the opportunity to go snowmobiling and hunting for "sheds". Twice now, I have enjoyed riding out to an "undisclosed" location near Goshen, in search of elusive deer and moose antlers. I'm told that up north, antlers fetch a good price at $8-$9/lb. I can just see a new reality show like Axe Men, or Ice Road Truckers. Looking for Moose antlers might be called Moose Gold, or North Country Bone collectors.


In stark contrast to the lack of sign seen on the S-G trail, this place was like Grand Central Station for both Moose and Deer. I was at first overwhelmed by the size, and number of game trails. These trails cover a large area. The snow here is still over three feet deep, still we had high hopes. In the end we concluded the moose antlers were well below the snow.


These are Striped Maples(Moose Maple) that have been completely browsed by Moose.

Just one of many, many well worn paths and beds used by both Moose and Deer.

BUT, the second time we went out there, Wednesday, the snow appeared more compact, and maybe somewhat melted. We covered a large area, though I couldn't say exactly how much acreage without a topo. Then, my friend found what looked like a stick, but suspicious enough that he took a closer look. He found a small antler frozen to the ground. He used a small knife to chip away the ice around the antler. The antler appeared to be years old, well gnawed with one tine missing(we suspect), and greenish.

When the snow finally melts in July :-) , we'll go out and scour the ground for the antlers that are sure to litter the area. I have it on good sources, that there may be another such place

Sunapee-Greenway continues

Sunday, February 20th my sister Kim, and I took a path from Cold Spring pond in Stoddard, up to Jackson Hill. The weather could not have been more perfect, bright sunshine and blue skies.

This photo is near the top of Jackson Hill, where the S-G trail intersects with the snowmobile trail

"F". We were not confused, despite this confusing sign.

My intention was to find Fox Brook campsite via the S-G trail. We walked initially up an old woods road until we reached a gate, and an intersection. I assumed the S-G trail was here, but I didn't find any of the white swatch marks on the trees. So we took the trail that proceeded straight up hill. We walked through hardwood forest for the most part. One thing I noticed right away, no sign of any animal activity; no tracks, no sounds, not even birds, or squirrels. There were plentiful oaks, and beech trees, not very many striped maple( a.k.a Moose Maple) I had hoped I would at least see some deer and moose tracks.

My sister attempts to tame Evvy, the wild beast.

We continued along until we reached a high open area. This spot is where I had left off, on my last hike on the S-G trail; Hubbard Hill. We followed the S-G across the top of Hubbard in the direction of Pitcher Mt. I knew there would be a trail to the right that breaks away from the G-S trail and descends toward Cold Spring Pond. I did not know for sure if the trail would lead back to the trail we came up, but it made sense.

Sure enough we found the gate where we encountered the first intersection of trails. We made it back to our cars without incident. I would say the round trip hike was at least four miles. I'm thinking my next hike will be somewhere around Center Pond where there should be some Moose and Deer yards.

Winter Walks

Well, my photos are in reverse.  The first picture is the view of Pitcher Mtn. fire tower, from Hubbard Hill.
This photo is of Mt. Monadnock from Pitcher Mtn.
This one, is Pitcher Mtn. tower, with all the wonderful Blueberry bushs in the foreground.
I have been fortunate to be able to take many hikes this winter.  Most recently, I hiked with my friend Becky, in Pisgah park.  Pisgah is the largest State Park in New Hampshire.   We did five miles on snowshoes, but we could have hiked just as easily without snowshoes.  We kept up a brisk pace, as we walked over hill and dale through what seemed like the deep woods.  We walked across Fullam Pond to the dam.   The wind blew ferociously, so we quickly went back into the woods.  We came upon a few people along the way.  Towards the end of our hike, we came upon two girls, and their puppy only a few months old.  I was astonished at their complacent attitude for the way they were dressed, and the fact there wasn't much daylight left.  One of the girls was carrying a large Dunkin Donuts coffee!  These ladies were dressed in jeans, light footwear, and no hats.  They also had no water or daypack.  Since I haven't read about any search parties going out in the area, I assume they made it to their destination and back without incident.  

I have been reading "Not Without Peril", which is an anthology of stories about folks who have fallen prey to the weather in the White Mountains.  The stories really bring forth the point that you can not take for granted that you will go out and back in sunshine and happiness.  The weather in New Hampshire can change quickly.  Though Pisgah Park is a far cry, from Mt. Washington, you can certainly have just as big of a "stupid attack".  When I saw those girls, I envisioned Fish and Game going out later that night, looking for them.

Anyway, the other day, I took Evvy up to Pitcher Mtn. in Stoddard.  Not a soul was there, as we got a late start.  The walking was easy, and required no snowshoes.  The trail was well worn, and packed down.  If I happened to step off the trail, I'd sink right down.  So we hiked up the mountain first, then we headed off to the north along the Sunapee-Greenway trail.  I hoped to make it to a Fox Brook campsite.  We walked to Hubbard Hill, for some awesome views of the Andorra forest, Mt Sunapee and Lovewell Mtn.  At the top of Hubbard Hill, you can find a wonderful spacious flat spot, many acres around.   The area had burned in 1941, along with the fire tower on Pitcher Mtn.   During the summer, there are "a gazillion" blueberry bushes along the open spaces on Pitcher, and the trail out to Hubbard Hill.

The photos are the Pitcher Mtn. fire tower today, Evvy romping along the trail on top of Hubbard Hill, and the view of Pitcher Mtn. tower from Hubbard Hill, in reverse order :-).  According to the G-S trail guide, we hiked six miles round trip.  We emerged from the woods, after dark.  But the moon was nearly full, creating just enough light.  And yes, we were dressed for the weather, and I carrying a small pack with snacks, water, and minimal emergency stuff.  We didn't make it to the Fox Brook campsite, because of the waning daylight. Next time, I hope to explore the area again, starting from Cold Spring Pond, which is north on Rte 123 in Stoddard, below Pitcher Mt.

Mt. Gilboa

Evvy and I once again hit the trail on snowshoes, well actually it was just me wearing the shoes.

We walked from the end of Whipple Hill Rd. in Walpole, to the Rapids Rd. which is a 4x4 road. The Rapids Rd. used to be part of the Rte 5 snowmobile trail system, but much of it has been changed to a private trail, or completely closed to snowmobiles. On Rapids Rd. we turned on to the Crusher Rd. which leads to the Cold River Materials quarry. Not far up the Crusher Rd. there is a sharp right hand turn which leads toward Wentworth Rd. on the Westmoreland end. I broke trail all the way from where we left the Rapids Rd. We made a turn to the south east, to the quarry. Here is Evvy at what looks like the top of the world.
I'm not sure why Cold River closed this trail to snowmobiles and ATVs. There isn't a thing going on here at the quarry. I had hoped to eat a whole banana once we arrived at the top. Evvy had other ideas. While I was checking out a den of some kind, my banana fell out of my jacket. Evvy was quick to grab it up. Bananas are a fav of hers, as are most fruit. I tried to get the banana back, but Evvy delighted in keeping me from it. It was as though she taunted me. She'd toss the banana into the air, and catch it while jumping at the same time. I'd get really close, and she jump about flinging that banana into the air over, and over. It was pointless to ask her to drop it. I swear if she could laugh, she would be rolling over with laughter. Then, mocking me even more, she began to peel the banana, much like an ape would do. I could not believe her untapped talent. She flung the banana one more time. The banana broke in half. One half flew into the snow, the other half and the peel were still in Evvy's mouth. Exasperated, I grabbed her and pried her jaws open forcing her to drop the fruit. I got half of the banana back. She tried to take it from me once more. I told her to eat the half in the snow. At last, compromise. We could go on.

Once we got to the top, I just enjoyed the bright sunshine. Very warm, actually melting the snow to some excellent sculpting material. The sky was a beautiful sunny f16. I could have stayed there all afternoon. All I could hear were the trains in Bellows Falls, and the wind through the pines. Evvy was content to explore, while I sucked the marrow out of the day. Alas, we had to leave this great spot, because I was fairly tired, aaaaannnnnd I needed to eat something. It was easy for Evvy, she could pick up a snack anywhere along the way, if you know what I mean. As much as I can deal with pine gum, it's not a fave, and I don't like hemlock bark.

I began to imagine what I would eat when I got back. I spotted a burrow in the snow, with a very defined and worn trail leading into and away from it. I couldn't make out any good tracks to identify the animal living there. I had seen zillions of snowshoe hare tracks, but this was different. It's anyone's guess. This is the hole. I'd say it was about 9-10" across. Evvy wasn't even interested in who lives there. I saw no skat around, so I have no idea.
The beautiful sun gave way to overcast skies. I was regretting how far from my truck I was at this point. I asked Evvy to run ahead to get the truck. She ignored me. The thoughts of food kept me plodding along. Finally, I decided what I would eat. I have no idea where it came from, but I could hardly wait. My cloths were soaked to the skin, and not a good thing when the wind is blowing, even with warm 30 degree temperatures. Normally I would have taken off layers each time I got too warm. But recklessly I figured I'd be back home in fine shape, so it wouldn't matter that my cloths were wet. I reminded myself that things can change fast in the woods. I wondered how it would go if I didn't make it back to the truck before dark. I had a plan in my mind of what I would do. BUT, I had no implements of survival, cause hey I'm less than a mile from my house at this point. Careless.

After my imagination returned to center. I decided that when I got back, I would have an Eggo waffle sandwich with peanut butter, and valentine m&m's. There wasn't a chance in hell, I wouldn't make it back home for that!