[BACKLOG] Chicktawbut East (Blue Hills Reservation)

Chickatawbut East (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Spaghetti

Distance: 9.5 miles

Elevation: 1549 feet

Time: 3 hours, 10 minutes

Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills 125-Mile Challenge; 52 Hike Challenge

The Hike

This hike may have been a result of me not wanting to do an afternoon meeting and maybe driving to the Blue Hills instead. This hike was a beautiful Blue Hills spaghetti mess of a hike, with a bit of snow and ice in patches, mud in others, and a highway in others. I started the hike at the Blue Hills Reservoir and did the loop around there before heading into the woods towards 3131. I wiggled my way over to the Wampatuck Path, and completed that section to its terminus at Chicktawbut Road. 

Working my way back, I then headed over to Wood Path and 3174, which was a very unique area of the reservation, with lots of bogs and prickers. I equally felt very secluded and near two major highways. The trail terminates at some industrial buildings, so then I followed the trail toward 3163, then 3143, 3130, and 3152. At this point, I had started to connect some of the dots from previous hikes and have those "oh yeah" moments where I reconized the areas. 

It was finally time for the main event, the Great Cedar Swamp. This was a really beautiful area of the reservation, except for one part. The part of the trail closest to I-93 is completely flooded out, so someone cut a hole in the fence and a herd path has appeared uncomfortably close to the highway. I felt very brave doing this, and it definitely fell into the "rite of passage" areas of the reservation (same category as the Ponkapoag Bog). 

Now that I became a survivor, I continued my hike on the Laurel Path, hitting the Barberry Bush Spring Trail, which was frozen/flooded at the top. There is a small spur at the junction of Lauren/Barberry that dives closer to the swamp, and it was a short, but mystical area. There was even an orange blaze, which I guess is left over from the Great Dome Trail? There was an unmapped trail near this area too, which I believe is an old connector to the Hawk Hill area. 

My hike concluded with a final climb up Slide Notch Path, hitting the Sassman Notch Path, and ultimately returning to the car. It was a great day in the Blue Hills!

Map of Blue Hills Reservation

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Originally written December 13th, 2022. 

[BACKLOG] Ponkapoag Bog (Blue Hills Reservation)

Ponkapoag Bog (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Out-and-Back

Distance: 4.4 miles

Elevation: 200 feet

Time: 1 hour, 36 minutes

Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills 125-Mile Challenge; 52 Hike Challenge

The Hike

We were in the bleak midwinter, and Ponkapoag Pond was finally frozen! I saw the alert on the Blue Hills 125-Mile Club Facebook page, so I hit up Gen and we met after work to finally make it to the end of the infamous Ponkapoag Bog. We parked at Fisherman's Beach, and took the shorter route (clockwise) to hit the bog. The Acton Path was wide open with a few icy spots, and gave us a great view of the frozen pond and Big Blue from the dam area. 

After a longer walk than I expected, we finally hit the beginning of the bog boardwalk! I had been to this point before, so it was familiar territory. We took a deep breath, and started our journey in. It was clear that the beginning sections have had work done (i.e., large slabs of boardwalk added), and then it was also clear where there have been no alterations. We were pleased to see that the bog was completely frozen solid, especially when we hit the point where the boardwalk was sunken.

This trail is shockingly beautiful and provides an "other-worldly" feel - something you wouldn't expect to find so close to Boston. After shimmying across the ice at the sunken section, the boardwalk surfaces again through a beautiful meadowy area that was also showing spectacular sunset colors. It was so cool to be out here!

Next thing we knew, the boardwalk ended, and we were accidentally standing on Ponkapoag Pond! Thankfully it was still frozen solid. There was a couple ice skating on the pond - the only other people we saw. We took a bunch of photos before starting our return trip.

The return trip was quick and dark - since it was winter after all. We hit up the two spur trails off of 5216, and made it back to the car without slipping on ice or falling into the pond. I am writing this on December 14th, 2022, and I am so excited for the pond to freeze over again so I can make another journey out!

Map of Blue Hills Reservation

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Orignally written and posted December 14th, 2022 at 7:45am. 

[BACKLOG] Chickatawbut West/Pipeline (Blue Hills Reservation)

Chickatawbut West/Pipeline (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Spaghetti

Distance: 5.9 miles

Elevation: 708 feet

Time: 1 hours, 58 minutes

Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills 125-Mile Challenge; 52 Hike Challenge

The Hike

Another chilly school hike! The main goal was to clean up some of the trail that I was missing in the Western Chicktawbut area. I parked at my least favorite parking area at the junction of Chicktawbut Road and MA-28, and got started. I first followed the Pipe Line all the way to the Savoy Path, cleaning up some smaller trails in the area en route. I was greatful to be doing this in the winter, as the Pipe Line is notoriously flooded, and I could hear the ice crunching beneath my feet. 

I then hiked toward 3044 on the Hawk Hill Path, where there was a surpise view to the south. I continued on to hit the Streamside Edge Path and the Branch Path, making a mini loop, before headed to 3155 to do a quick out-and-back on Lee Path. The hike ended by heading back to the car on the Braintree Pass Path the whole way. Overall an uneventful hike, but happy to have accomplished it!

Map of Blue Hills Reservation

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Originally written December 14th, 2022 at 8:11am.

[BACKLOG] Hedgehog Mountain (White Mountain National Forest)

Hedgehog Mountain (White Mountain National Forest)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop

Distance: 4.9 miles

Elevation: 1440 feet

Time: 2 hours, 47 minutes

Hiking Challenges: 52 With-a-View

Mt. Passaconaway, just past the summit of Hedgehog Mountain.

The Hike 

I'm going to preface this post by happily stating that this is the last of the 2022 backlog hikes I needed to write up. I've really enjoyed this journey of documenting my hikes in writing, and looking back at January through March to have those documented too. Now that I will be caught up with the original goal of this blog fully encompassing my 2022 hikes, I'm going to think about going further back to document some of my bigger and memorable adventures, and continuing my journaling into 2023. I also find it fun that this was on my first day of winter hiking, and I finished blogging about my most recent winter hikes too. Now, on to the hike!

 

We had about an hour drive from the Mt. Roberts parking area to the Hedgehog Mountain area, and the only eventful moment was when I got popcorn stuck in my teeth, then I got floss stuck in my teeth, ran out of extra floss to remove the stuck floss, and then had to stop at a convenience store on NH-16 to get more floss. I had been to the Hedgehog Mountain parking area when I hiked Potash last year, so I was excited to make my return. We arrived in the parking lot in the early afternoon, and made sure to have headlamps ready. 

 

The hike started on the Downes Brook Trail, and quickly turned left onto UNH Trail from the parking area, following what appeared to be an old road. The trail had a couple inches of frozen snow on the ground, which our spikes gripped excellently. The trail continues by turning right off the straightaway and starts ascending, never too steeply. The whole loop is the UNH Trail, and at the next junction we continued straight instead of turning left to go over the summit first, and then hit the ledges. The woods were beautiful and peaceful - cold but windless. We took the side trip to Allen's Ledge, which had an excellent view of nearby peaks (I wish I had the guidebook with me because I can't seem to tell which peak ... I am writing this 11 months after the fact...). 

 

Back on the UNH Trail, we continued onward. Hitting the summit ledges just in time to see the sun setting behind the apparently massive Mt. Passaconaway. It was magical up here, and I saw the one, the only, Floki the cat! I was too starstruck to say anything, but it absolutely made my day. There were some more great views just below the summit and onto the east ledges, which were icy but easily gripped with spikes. The highlight of this view was the snow capped Mt. Chocorua, which I would hike in just a few more months. Behind us on the East Ledges was the upper stretch of Hedgehog Mountain, which was fun to see. 

 

Our final view of this hike was of the Moats (I think...), with sunset colors at the horizon and pale blue just above. The full moon had just risen over the mountains too, which was just a beautiful way to end this section of the hike. The final mile+ was significantly less glamorous, though. We continued on the longer stretch of the UNH Trail, where Gen had to stop and pee. That was the break that broke me. My body temperature dropped the second we stopped moving and I was shivering. I thought getting moving again would help, but it did not. Gen reminded me that I had mittens and my puff in my back (duh), and when I put those on my world was changed. Such an easy fix for such a potentially dangerous problem - amazing! When we hit that original straightaway it was officially headlamp time, and we safely made our way back to the car. Our day ended at the Mad River Tavern, which was just delicious.

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Originally written December 19th, 2022 at 2:02pm.

[BACKLOG] Mt. Roberts (Ossipee Range)

Mt. Roberts (Ossipee Range)

Hike Type: Out-and-Back

Distance: 5.5 miles

Elevation: 1355 feet

Time: 2 hours, 56 minutes

Hiking Challenges: Ossipee 10; 52 Hike Challenge; Lakes Region Conservation Trust Explorer; Castle in the Clouds Achievement

The Hike

Gen and I set a goal to start winter hiking this year, and we finally had a day where the skies would be blue and no wind - so it was time! We watched a few webinars about winter hiking, since its something both of us had never done before outside of local hikes. We knew the goal was to adjust layers as needed and do our best to prevent sweat. We collected gear and layers, made hot chocolate for afterwards, and started our early morning COLD drive up to the Ossipees for hike #1: Mt. Roberts!

 

When we stopped at Hooksett, the thermometer read a balmy -7°, and the sun was beginning to show its morning colors beneath the horizon. We were confident in our layering systems, but still talked about how we can turn back at any time while hiking. We made our way up to the Castle in the Clouds parking area, and slowly got suited up for our coldest adventure yet. Our strategy was to turn the car into a sauna, turn off the car, layer up outside, get back in the car, sauna for a few more minutes, and then get the party started, which worked well!

 

I prematurely put my spikes on and hobbled across the road to the snowy ditch, and then we officially got started! The trail is well signed, and we were almost immediately greeted by an owl (the first one I'd ever seen in the wild!) enjoying its chilly morning. This was an excellent first winter hike- the trail was always gradual and incredibly beautiful. 

 

There was a surprise view on the way up to Red Hill that was a great snack spot, but it was so cold that we didn't wait around for too long. All the way to the right of the view, we could even see a snow-capped Moosilauke! Gen also had frozen hair at this point. 

 

Our hike continued and the sun slowly started warming things up. A perk of a cloudless day was that we had the sun on us most of the time, so we never felt too cold. After some more slow hiking, we finally made it to the main viewpoint, which was spectacular. Lake Winnipesaukee was in the foreground, with the Belknap Range framing the backside. To the left, there was the rest of the Ossipee range. Gen took this time to try out her new "she-wee," and proceeded to pee all over herself (I only knew because I heard a distant "OH NO" in the woods). 

 

From the main view area, the trail continued a little further to the Mt. Roberts summit sign, with a glowing white Mt. Washington behind it. We were very proud of this hike but remembered we only have done half the work so far! We took our photos and started our return trip.

 

The return trip was quick and easy, minus my shoelaces getting caught on my book hook, and then ripping one of the hooks out (which wasn't that bad, I don't use the top hooks anyway), and then one of my spikes breaking. That was on me for getting $20 Amazon spikes as a rather large man. Oh well! They were still usable. Back at the car, we QUICKLY changed and started round two of the sauna, and enjoyed our lukewarm hot chocolate. I ziptied my spikes, hoping they would last me through our next hike - Hedgehog Mountain!

Photo Album

Originally written and posted December 14th, 2022 at 10:03am.

[BACKLOG] Ponkapoag West (Blue Hills Reservation)

Ponkapoag West (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Spaghetti

Distance: 3.2 miles

Elevation: 183 feet

Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills 125-Mile Challenge

The Hike

Following my short jaunt around the Houghton area, it was time to hit some trails off of Ponkapoag Trail and (attempt) the boardwalk - I did not yet know about the condition of the board walk before this hike... I started by hiking in and turning left at 5330, hiking to 5343, and then returning via No Name Path to 5311. These were calm, quiet trails. I then followed the Redman Farm Path to 5174, hit that trail, and then began my journey to the boardwalk!

The boardwalk is announced by a nice plaque and scattered, wide boards, with only a little bit of wiggle. The water on either side was crystal clear ice, but clearly thin. The further I walked, the more the boards wiggled. Even further, each step was accompanied by a loud cracking of ice, and then I finally hit one of the boards that sinks. One step on it and water flooded around, sending the board back under the ice. I made the brave choice to turn around and try again later when winter has winter-ed a little more. I returned via the trail at 5218 which was calm and quiet... minus the sound of I-93. Thankfully, I'd be back for that boardwalk in just a couple weeks!

Map of Blue Hills Reservation

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[BACKLOG] Last Houghton-Area Trails (Blue Hills Reservation)

Last Houghton-Area Trails (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Loopish

Distance: 0.9  miles

Elevation: 33 feet

Time: 16 minutes

Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills 125-Mile Challenge; 52 Hike Challenge

The Hike

This hike was part one of a two-part expedition! I had just a few short trails in the Houghton's Pond area of the Blue Hills that I needed to hit for my 125-Mile Challenge. I parked at the Houghton's Pond parking area, quickly headed into the woods, turned left onto the pavement, and then hiked the trail that connects the pavement to 2053, and then worked my way back. This was so short and sweet that I didn't even take any photos! I was headed to Ponkapoag next for a fabled boardwalk attempt...

Map of Blue Hills Reservation

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Originally written and posted December 14th, 2022 at 10:09am.