Cliff Pond (Nickerson State Park)

Cliff Pond Loop

(Nickerson State Park)

 

Hike Type: Loop

Distance: 3.12 miles

Elevation: 174 feet

Time: 1 hour, 13 minutes minutes

Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge

 

The Hike
And just like that, less than 24 hours, I was back at Nickerson State Park! I brought some friends this time, too. The sun was shining, there was a light breeze, it was in the mid 40s, and off we went! We followed the same path that I did the previous day, across the sandy trail to the split. At the trail split, we turned right to follow the trail around Cliff Pond. The trail was consistently beautiful, alternating between woods, shoreline, and beach hiking. There were occasionally side trails to different camping areas, but it was always clear where to go.

 

The trail climbed a little bit on the western side of the pond, which had lovely seasonal views through the trees. We eventually made it to a parking lot/boat launch site, almost directly across the pond from the parking lot. From here we made the mistake of hiking toward camping Area 4 instead of staying on the shoreline. We didn’t realize we made this mistake until we were all out of breath gaining more elevation than anticipated… whoops! At Area 4 we got to see some lovely campsites, a kiosk describing the CCC work in the park decades ago, and a small history lesson of a date two of our friends went on in a Yurt here that went poorly (mostly due to bugs).

 

Eventually, we found the trail back to the Cliff Pond trail, and continued our adventure! The last section of our hike was beautiful and close to the shoreline, and at one point crossing a swimming beach. There was one section of trail that was eroded away, so we made the decision to stay on the shoreline for the remainder of the hike. Even though it was chilly outside, we were all warm at this point (temperatures were in the 50s), and the beautiful clear water was incredibly inviting. Thankfully, no one caved and we all stayed dry. We were soon back at the car and heading back to the AirBnb for lunch!

 

“Cliff Pond” from Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

“Cliff Pond is a 206-acre natural kettlehole pond with a maximum depth of 96 feet and an average depth of 33 feet. The pond gets its name from the cliffs surrounding the pond. Transparency is exceptional, extending to 23 feet, and aquatic vegetation is scant. The 2.6 miles of shoreline are undeveloped and and protected within Nickerson State Park. The pond is heavily used by boaters during the summer months. The bottom is primarily sand with mud in the deeper areas.”

 

Nickerson State Park Map

Photo Album

Little Cliff Pond (Nickerson State Park)

Little Cliff Pond Loop
(Nickerson State Park)

 

Hike Type: Loop

Distance: 1.81 miles

Elevation: 65 feet

Time: 43 minutes

Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge

 

The Hike

The year is coming to an end! I was on the cape for a few days to celebrate and relax with some music teacher friends, and had about an hour to kill before my AirBnb opened up. I landed at Nickerson State Park, between Cliff and Little Cliff ponds. I wanted some time to check in and check out the house before my friends arrived, so I opted for Little Cliff. The trail started on the sandy lakefront facing Cliff Pond, and the sandy stretch concludes at the trail split. Turning right makes the big loop around Cliff Pond, and turning left makes the smaller loop around Little Cliff Pond. Both directions have yellow blazes.

 

The trail turns into the woods and meanders up and down before coming to another beach area, where it is clearly written that there is no swimming. The weather was in the mid 30s, and the pond was partially frozen over. The color of the pond was beautiful - a deep teal, which contrasted magnificently with the red/brown ground and the sandy distance. The trail then comes to the gate at Higgin’s Pond, and soon wraps back to the parking lot. This was a fantastic, short hike around a beautiful pond on Cape Cod. I was very excited to get back here to explore big Cliff Pond! I was greeted by the beginning of a beautiful sunset as I was driving away. 

“Nickerson State Park” from Wikipedia

“The land composing the park was once part of the estate of Samuel Mayo Nickerson (1830–1914), a native of the area and a Chicago liquor distiller who made a fortune as one of the founding officers of the First National Bank of Chicago.[3] In 1890, Nickerson built Fieldstone Hall on land overlooking Cape Cod Bay a mile west of the park to be the home of his son Roland C. Nickerson, Roland's wife Addie, and their three children. Fieldstone Hall was lost to fire in 1906, and a larger mansion was built on the same site. That building subsequently became a seminary and is now a major feature of the Ocean Edge resort.[4] Roland Nickerson died at age 51 shortly after Fieldstone Hall burned down, his death at the time being ascribed to his heartache at the loss of his home and personal possessions.[5] His son Roland Jr. was a naval lieutenant who died in the 1918 influenza epidemic. In 1934, Addie Nickerson donated the portion of the estate on the south side of Route 6a for use as a "state forest park." It became the Commonwealth's first state park and was named in honor of her late husband and late son.[6]”

Nickerson State Park Trail Map

Photo Album

Birchwood Lake - Rattlesnake Meadow Loop (Richard Wilcox Municipal Park - Tourne County Park)

 

Birchwood Lake - Rattlesnake Meadow Loop

(Richard Wilcox Municipal Park - Tourne County Park)

Birchwood Loop - Red Trail - Blue Trail - Rattlesnake Meadow - White Trail - Pink Trail - Teal Trail - Purple Trail - Birchwood Loop

 

Hike Type: Loop

Distance: 2.49 miles

Elevation: 193 feet

Time: 52 minutes

Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge

 

The Hike

Back in New Jersey for the holidays, and after a three day marathon of family time, it was time for solitude. I always feel at home when I’m hiking in the Tourne - so off I went! I started at Birchwood Lake, which is technically reserved only for Mountain Lakes residences, but I consider myself allowed since my old address was sometimes in Mountain Lakes (we were on the border) and my Dad’s divorce apartment was also in that town AND I spent a summer working at the snack shack at the swimming beach… Either way, I was also seeing how my lungs would handle a chilly hike (28 degrees) - I’ve had a cough since Mt. Cube. 

 

I took the loop around the loop going counter clockwise, passing the spur trail that I cut my knee open on when I had my trail running phase, and then the sled run spur too. The nice part about hiking this time of year is the partial views you get when the trees are bare. There were some lovely seasonal lake outlines through the trees. Just over a third of the way around the lake the Red Trail branches off into the deeper forest. I used to think this is where the Tourne officially started, but apparently it remains Wilcox Park until the Mountain Lakes town line. I followed the Red Trail to the Blue Trail - where I saw some remains in the distance to the left of the trail that I hadn’t noticed before. It’s not marked on the map, I wonder what the story is?

 

In the past couple years, the trail connecting the Blue and White trails through the middle of Rattlesnake Meadow opened up. Not sure when or why this happened - around 2014/15/16 I had noticed there used to be a trail there, but it was dramatically overgrown. Either way, I happily walked across to join the White Trail, and then immediately the pink trail, and then soon after the Teal Trail. The Teal trail had the only traces of ice that I’d seen, with only one slippery spot underneath the leaves. The Teal Trail terminated and I joined the Purple Trail to bring me back to Birchwood Lake, and the Purple Trail was somehow warmer than the rest and there were a few birds chirping about.

 

Back at Birchwood Lake, I followed the rest of the loop trail back to my car, skipping the bypass and staying on the beach. The sun came out just as I stepped foot on the sand, so I took a couple more photos before getting back to my car and heading to the Boonton Walmart to check out the after christmas sales. 

 

Step By Step

• Park at Birchwood Lake (Mountain Lakes Residents Only)

• Walk to the right of the lake to join the unblazed Birchwood Loop.

• At the far side of the lake, turn right onto the Red Trail.

• At the next junction, turn left onto the Blue Trail.

• At a clear, but unmarked junction, turn left to hike across Rattlesnake Meadow (unblazed).

• At end of path, turn right onto White Trail.

• Soon after, turn left onto Pink Trail.

• Soon after, turn left onto Teal Trail.

• At terminus, turn left onto Purple Trail.

• At terminus, turn right to rejoin Birchwood Loop. Follow to beach and to parking lot.

 

“History” from Morris County Parks Commission

“The Park Commission acquired its first parcel of land on July 24, 1958 and opened the park for public enjoyment in 1960. The name ‘Tourne’ is derived from the Dutch word meaning ‘lookout’ or ‘mountain.’ The Tourne is the only remaining undeveloped fragment of the Great Boonton Tract. It was originally surveyed by John Chapman in May 1715.  It is likely that the early surveying crew had cut bridle paths over the narrow footways made by earliest inhabitants of the nearby plantation, and current trails may follow those made more than 300 years ago by Native Americans. The land was purchased by David Ogden, Colonial Attorney-General of New Jersey in 1759. McCaffrey Lane, the main entrance to the park, was designed in 1767 by Samuel Ogden. It was used to haul iron ore from Hibernia’s mines to Samuel Ogden’s iron works in Old Boonton. Within this historic region, cannonballs were manufactured for use by the Continental Army during the American Revolution. During his lifetime, Clarence Addington DeCamp (1859-1948) inherited and acquired much of the land now known as Tourne County Park. Using hand tools and levers, DeCamp built two roads to the top of the Tourne and encouraged people to enjoy the forests and fields. He became one of the first conservationists in Morris County. One of the many interesting features of the landscape is the Mouse Cradle Balancing Rock. It is a glacial erratic, which rests on the southwestern summit of the Tourne and is balanced on two points of a ledge rock and a hidden wedge stone. This imposing 54-ton boulder was named by DeCamp in 1897, when he discovered a mouse nest in a cleft of the rock. He adjusted the boulder with jack screws so the rock could be tilted a few inches with a lever when a hidden wedge was removed.”

Tourne County Park Map (2012)
Tourne County Park Map (2022)

Photo Album

Mt. Cube (Orford, NH)

Mt. Cube (Orford, NH)

Cross-Rivendell Trail

Hike Type: Out-and-Back
Distance: 4.51 miles
Elevation: 1545 feet
Time: 3 hours, 5 minutes (2 hours, 55 minutes)

Hiking Challenges: 52 With-a-View

View from Mt. Cube's south summit, just after clouds rolled in.

The Hike

Red Hill was step three, and now onto step four, Mt. Cube! This one was a bit longer, a bit higher, and a bit north-er, which would mean more winter-er. I was feeling good after Red Hill, so I made the hour drive from one trailhead to the other. The sun was surprisingly shining strong, and the temperate varied from the low 30s to the low 40s during the drive. Untimately, on the snowy dirt Baker Road that the parking area is on, it was 30 degrees with little to no breeze. I was an absolute mess getting suited up for this hike. I kept putting things on in the wrong order, spilled my water, spent what felt like six days putting the insulator on my bladder tube, dropped my buff, and had my shell on and off. EVENTUALLY, I did the short dirt road walk, turned left to the trail kiosk, and finally started my second hike of the day!

The trail had about an inch of snow on top of ice at the beginning, but was not slipper at all (thankfully, I was way too lazy and annoyed at myself to worry about spikes just yet). The lower stretch is full of bare decidious trees, which created a really beautiful early-winter forest. Like Red Hill, the incline never gets too intense on this hike, but I was still very bad at not sweating. My legs were definitely feeling tired since I've fallen out of hiking shape, but I continued on. There were also lots of, what I believe to be, Hairy Woodpeckers (I thought they were the red-bellied at first, but there was no red on any of them), which created a lovely soundscape for this hike. There were partial/seasonal views of nearby hills through the trees, and after a certain point, the trail immediately switches to an incredible conifer forest (Hemlocks, I believe), that truly resembled a winter wonderland.

The switch happened right at the first contonour before the first switchback, and WOW. The tree trunks were painted white and the smaller evergreens were completely powdered with snow. I took way too many photos, but it was so beautiful. I definitely caught the winter hiking bug at this point. I passed my first person of the hike right at the beginning of this section, and it reminded me just how much I enjoy hikers. Some of the nicest people you'll ever meet, and they never want to chat for too long - dream come true! There were rabbit prints throughout, and I was still able to bareboot this section, but the other hiker warned me it will start to get slippery. 

There was a "peek-a-boo" view around the first switchback (I can't remember if before or after) of Sunday Mountain, another Cross-Rivendell Trail peak, where I stopped to put my spikes on. Apparently, I picked the perfect moment to put them on, because just after this view was 80% ice. I couldn't stop gawking at how beautiful this forest was - and naturally, I had "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" stuck in my head the whole time. 

There is a second view at what I think was the last major switchback, which had a great view of Smarts Mountain, another snow-crusted peak (also on the 52 With-a-View list). I had originally planned to hike Smarts Mountain, but read that the trail was super icy and the 52 With-a-View Guidebook said the Cube via CRT was a great winter hike - I'll be back for Smarts! There was a group of three hikers deciding what their celebratory shot was going to be at the second view, so I skirted past them and continued on my way. I was curious why they didn't do their shot at the summit, but I'll learn why soon.

This last stretch of trail felt like an eternity. Mentally, I thought I was much closer than I was the whole time. The further I went, the longer it felt. It was much icier on this final stretch, and the closer I got to the summit area, the stronger the winds were (which explains why those hikers took the calm second view to celebrate their hike). When I finally broke above the trees, the winds were whipping with really strong gusts. There were also a few scrambles to hit the official summit. I was stressed, but took my time and followed previous hikers' footsteps to make my way. Just as I hit the summit, the clouds rolled in from Vermont and the temperature dropped. I found the summit sign, took a few photos, and quickly made my way back down. I wanted to hit the north peak, but I will save that for another, calmer day. 

Final push to the south summit.

View of Smarts Mountain with snow getting whipped up by the wind.

My return trip involved me moving quickly to stay warm on my tired legs. I only took a few photos on the return trip, but still enjoyed the scenery. I heard my only bit of wildlfie of the hike - one singular red squirrel with that indistinguishable chatter. I finished my water just after hitting the decidious forest, and my jelly legs were so excited to finally hit the trail kiosk, take off the snow-crusted spikes, and do the short road walk back to the car. 

The parking area was in eyeshot of someones house, so my changing had to be quick and as "view"less as possible. I managed to get it all done just as the residents returned home - yikes. I've been wanting to invest in one of those car changing room canopy things (a big sheet that attaches to the hatchback via magnets and cloth covers you) - I think I might try to make one. It doesn't seem too difficult. I just need a light fabric, some good magnets, and a sewing machine (which I already have). Should work? One way to find out. One final thing of note - I put on my hard shell in that final stretch of the climb and wore it all the way to the bottom. I did not realize how sweaty it was in there - it was a whole microclimate. I'll need to figure that out too before the next one!

Final thoughts: I am glad I'm finally getting back into hiking. I picked a good day to hike becuase the next day there was 1-2 feet of snow in the region. I'm excited to continue getting better at winter hiking. I don't think I'm ready yet for snowshoes? I need to do four more hikes to officially complete my 52 hike challenge, and I think I can accomplish that!

**Writing this sentence a week later - I just realized this was my 100th hike of the year!

Step-by-Step

• Park on the pullover on Baker road.

• Follow the blue blazes up Baker road, then turn left into the woods.

• Continue to follow blue blazes all the way to the summit of Mt. Cube.

 

Map of Cross Rivendell Trail 

"Mount Cube" by Steve Smith

Photo Album

Red Hill Fire Tower (Lakes Region Conservation Trust)

Red Hill Fire Tower 
(Red Hill Conservation Area - Lakes Region Conservation Trust)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Distance: 3.74 miles
Elevation: 1325 feet
Time: 2 hours, 3 minutes (1 hours, 57 minutes moving)

Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge, New Hampshire Fire Tower Quest, Lakes Region Conservation Trust Explorer

The view from the summit behind the cabin.

The Hike

Halibut Point was step one, the Middlesex Fells were step two, and now I was finally on step three: driving up to NH to hike with some elevation gain. The plan was first to hike Red Hill in the lakes region, and then if I was still feeling good I would drive over to Mt. Cube on the 52 With-a-View list. The good thing about (almost) winter is that the sun rises so much later - so my alarm went off at 5:00am, I grabbed my things, and got my adventure started!

I had my first wildlife sighting of the day right away: a coyote running around the Hammond Pond Parkway in Boston. The morning's excitement continued at 5:45am when the Karson & Kennedy show on 104.1 played Dominick the Donkey without any warning - you know when you're driving and you fully disassociate for a bit? I was in the middle of doing that, and then I heard the "hee-haw" and came back into my body and had a WILD emotional reaction - I was SO HAPPY!

The mornings excitement continued when I had the "urge" about 20 minutes away from Hooksett, which was a blessing and a curse. I love getting my morning business done at Hooksett, but I hate fighting for my life for 20 minutes because I refuse to get off of the highway. Either way, I made it one piece (barely) and christened the family bathroom (the men's bathroom was too far away - about another 50 feet). Another pro to winter hiking and waking up later is that Hooksett actually has breakfast sandwiches at 6:20am (versus 4:20am in the summertime) - so I got lots of expensive food, enjoyed the orange horizone from the parking lot, and finally finished my shocklingly eventful drive.

There were two levels to the parking lot and not a soul to be seen. The temperate was chilly, but not too bad - 29° with a very light breeze. A big theme of the day was the layering system. I got started with normal athletic underwear, thin thermal leggings, tech pants, smartwool socks, and my winter boots on bottom, which worked very well! I was a little wam when climbing, but only my bum was actually sweaty. On top I had a polyester T shirt, fleece zip up, buff, liner gloves, and my puff and mittens in my pack. The fleece was on and off as my temperature fluctuated. I'm going to invest in some wool, long sleeve base layers for next time. The only reason the fleece went back on skin exposure, so I think the long sleeve base layer will be perfect. (As I am writing this, I think this is the most I've written without actually getting to the hike).

NOW it was finally time for the hike! The trail is incredibly well blazed from the parking lot, and there were footsteps to guide me when my brain turned off. The first part of the hike is on the Red Hill Trail, which is blazed with plastic red triangles. This section of trail is very gentle, windy, with snowy sections contrasted by bone dry sections. The trail crosses a snowmobile trail and then moderately climbs, crossing a beautiful stream on a bridge a the only slippery section of the hike, before coming to the junction with the snowmobile trail, the red-blazed Red Hill Trail, and the blue-blazed Cabin Trail. 

The junction had a kiosk with some intersting literature about the area, and right across from the kiosk was a cellar hole with some more information about past residents of Red Hill. Like I mentioned in my last post, I don't like how literature reminds you that you're not in full solitude/brings you back to reality a little bit, but I also love all the information and find the history fascinating! Either way, from this point you can take either the Red Hill Trail or Cabin Trail up, starting the loop section of the hike. I took the Red Hill Trail up and Cabin down, and I think I preferred this route.

As I climbed, there were nice seasonal views of the lakes and Belknap range through the bare trees. The trail alternates from gentle to moderate, but never gets steep - I was incredibly happy with my "step 3" hike choice. I was struggling still with the no-sweating rule, but still doing better than any other season? The higher up, the more the wind started to pick up. I never needed to add any laters minus the fleece back on, though. Toward the top, the trail starts to level out, and just before the summit you can see the fire tower through the trees, which was very exciting for my aching body!

The summit was WINDY and beautiful. There are views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the Belknaps from behind the cabin, but I had to climb the tower to get the real views. There was a nice informational sign at the summit area, and there was a sign on the fire tower that said it was closed for winter. I took that to say "the cabin is closed for winter," becuase there was nothing blocking the stairs, and who comes to the top of a hill/mountain and not climb the firetower?! It was a shorter tower compared to those I've met in the Catskills this past summer, but boy the wind was STRONG from the top. The views made it worth it, though. You could truly see everything - the Belknaps, Lake Winni, the Ossipees, the Squam Range, the Sandwich Range (the 4ks and Chocorua were all in clouds), and a very bright, very which Moosilauke out in the distance. I would have stayed up longer, but I would have definitely gotten frostbite! I slowly climbed back town, gathered my things, and continued my hike. 

The blue-blazed Cabin Trail starts just behind the fire tower, and meanders through the woods for a while with an occasional elevation loss. There were some spots the trail wasn't super clear with the snow on the ground, but I was eternally grateful for the footsteps I was able to follow. Lots of partial seasonal views through the woods, and eventually the trail dips down to an old hunter's cabin that was very cool and very spooky. It clearly said keep out and was deadbolted, but it looks like the lock hinges were either broken off or rotted off, so it would be possible to peek inside, but I am a weenie who knows how to mind his business.

A little further down the trail there is a yellow-blazed trail that leads to more old cellar holes with some more literature that was actually very interesting. It's easy to forget that so many mountains/hills had people living on them and fully fledged hotels. I peek around for a moment before continuing down.

The rest of the Cabin Trail was uneventful, especially as it widened out and became part of a ski run. This part was very icy, but I was able to stay off to the side no problem. Soon enough I was back at the original junction, and finished off my hike! I only passed one person and his dog in the lower stretch, and the only wildlife I saw was one grey squirrel. Overall my legs were a little tired, but they had an hour drive to rest, becuase I made the decision to hit "step four" - climbing up Mt. Cube!

Step-by-Step

• Park at designated parking lot.

• Start hike on red-blazed Red Hill Trail.

• At kiosk/junction, continue on red-blazed Red Hill Trail.

• At summit, continue hike past fire tower onto blue-blazed Cabin Trail.

• Take a short side trip onto yellow-blazed trail to see cellar holes.

• Continue on blue trail.

• At junction, rejoin the red trail to close the loop, and follow red to car.

Map of Red Hill Conservation Area

Photo Album

Long Pond - Reservoir Loop (Middlesex Fells Reservation)

Long Pond - Reservoir Loop (Middlesex Fells Reservation)

Hike Type: Loop
Distance: 2.49 miles
Elevation: 194 feet
Time: 59 minutes

Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge

The Hike

If Halibut Point was step one of me getting back into hiking and fighting daylight savings time, the Fells are definitely step two! I flew out the doors after school to the Long Pond parking lot, where it was 37°. Logistically, I was rusty. I forgot my fleece so I wore my marching band hoodie, my pants were too tight, and I didn't even think about my bladder - good thing I was only planning for a short hike in the fells and not diving back in head first! Either way, I got suited up as best as I could and headed into the woods.

 

The sky was blue through the leafless tree and there were areas of up to 1" of snow which made for some beautiful scenery. Soon into the hike there was a large junction with christmas ornaments, signage, and some literature. I took the western half of the yellow-blazed trail with had gentle ups and downs with occasional informational kiosks, which were fun to read. I always have mixed feelings on kiosks and literature on hikes - in my mind I want to be as disconnected as possible, but places like the Fells are so urbanized already, it didn't bother me. 

 

At the northern end of the yellow trail, I continued on the yellow loop, but soon left the loop to join Wyman Path at B3-3. This was a wide open woods road that curved around the topography. Eventually, I joined up with the orange-blazed Reservoir Trail, which was my return route. The Reservoir Trail was surprisingly hilly, only because I expected a shoreside trail. The map of the reservation shows trails that are in restricted areas, and there are many no trespassing signs on trails closer to the waterline. What's confusing is that there were dozens of footprints all around these paths. Is it one of those things that its a rule on paper but if you mind your business its okay? I'm very fascinated by it. I may have snuck to the waterline to grab a quick photo and then ran back onto the trail!

 

The hike finished up once I hit Molly's Spring Road, which leads back to the parking lot. I only passed a few people on this hike, and I maintain my stance that the folks in the Fells are significantly less friendly than those in the Blue Hills - maybe that's because of how densely populated the perimeter of the park is - so there's just that many more "normal" people? Another mystery! Either way - I soon made it back to the car and headed home. I was very happy that I got out on this day, and I can feel myself getting my excitement back!

Step-by-Step

• Park at Long Pond Parking.

• Hike into the woods, turn left at junction with yellow trail.

• Continue to follow yellow blazes (on map, always take the western side of the loop).

• Cross Gate 15 and follow to Hillcrest Parkway trailhead.

• Continue to follow yellow blazes.

• At B3-3, turn left onto Wyman Path.

• At B3-5, turn right toward B3-6.

• At B3-6, join orange-blazes Reservoir Trail.

• Remain on orange-blazed Reservoir Trail until B4-6 (Molly's Spring Road).

• Follow Molly's Spring Road to parking area.

Map of Middlesex Fells Reservation

Photo Album