Surry Mountain Hike

May 26, 2013

Active Beaver lodge

I decided to find "the Monuments" on Surry Mountain in NH.  I parked in a sandy lot off of Rte 12A which pheasant hunters often use.  First I headed toward the dam, hoping to find a shortcut to the other side of the Ashuelot River.  After a pleasant walk through varied terrain, I walked back to where I started and headed off in the opposite direction.  I got a late start, 3:00 p.m., but I was determined to find this rock formation before dark.  I used my phone GPS to track where I was going by using "mapmyrun".  The total hike including the initial walk to the reservoir, was nearly 8 miles.

I stopped to smell the shrubs, both of which are sweet.

Burning Bush

This shrub is called Burning Bush. It's an invasive species which was introduced to the United States in 1860 as an ornamental plant.

Lilly of the Valley

Single turtle egg found by itself and lying on the sand.

We crossed a grand pasture of yellow looking toward the north.  At far corner there is a bridge, which I believe was called "David's Bridge".

Snowmobile bridge across the Ashuelot River.  The river was a raging torrent.

From the other side of the bridge we got right on to the trail that leads to Surry Dam.  The trail follows the Ashuelot River to the dam.  I estimated the point at which the rock formation would be directly above.  I would look for a trail, or make my own. I found an unmarked trail that may very well have been nothing more than deer traffic.  A very steep scramble with opportunities for treacherous falls, nevertheless I was determined, and so was Evvy. 


Southeast view from the monuments

 At last all the bushwhacking and rock scrambling paid off with this amazing view of Surry Dam.  I wish I had started out earlier because there is surely more exploring to do up there.  The photo bellow is looking toward Walpole.

I found a more legible trail, however in need of serious trail maintenance.  This was a much faster trip for many reasons.  Thank goodness for strong saplings to hang on to whilst sliding downslope.

Southwest view from the monuments, looking toward Carpenter and Derry Hills in Walpole.

I plan on exploring this area in greater detail very soon.  Next time, I will leave earlier and stay longer.

Snowshoe Hike January 7, 2013

First let me say that though I haven't posted for some time, I do not like the "new" blogger.  I can't seem to format my blog as I used to.  It is tedious trying to figure this out while wanting to just write a post. There seems to be much more "white space" now.  I almost think it would be better for me to cut and paste my blog from a word document.

At any rate, yesterday Evvy and I had occasion to snowshoe in the Derryhill area. The sun was bright and not a cloud in the sky.  The first thing I noticed on my way to my favorite trail was that the Derry Hill Rd. has been widened, and graded for access to a timber operation further up.  I certainly hope that what follows is not a development.  I know much of the land was for sale.

 

Evvy

Deer bed 1

Despite being hit by a car last Thursday, Evvy took to the snow like a champ.  Bounding and rooting as energetically as always.  She is a real trooper, and resilient to say the least.

We came across a few small deer yards, which I assume are the same three deer.  I was delighted to find this evidence as I had thought the deer population had not survived the latest hunting season.  In my opinion, Derry Hill is over hunted.
 
 

Deer bed 2

In addition to the three beds we found.  I found a number of tracks belonging to Fisher, Bear, Racoon, and Fox.  Interestingly, I had found a single Bear track last week off County Rd. The tracks I found on Derry Hill were the same size, of the same age, and moving in the same direction as those from last week.

I also found that one other person has snowshoe'd the area.  I bushwhacked across an old beaver pond, Evvy raced around full-tilt without crashing. How she does this, I'll never know. 

We made our way through the woods back to the worn trail.  We'd gone one mile which was all we had time for as I had to get ready for work.  On the weekends though I have enjoyed much longer hikes alone, and with friends.  So far this winter, we have been blessed with snow, however this week is much warmer than last and I fear much of the snow will be lost by week's end.

Fisher track

Deer Bed 3