Green Woodlands – Lyme West
| Date: | 1-18-2025 |
| Location: | Lyme, NH |
| Distance: | 5.80 mi |
| Elevation Gain: | 345′ |
| Total Time: | 3 hr 4 min |
| Parking: | 20+ cars |
I’ve heard some great things about the Green Woodland Ski Trails. I saw some recent photos, and the trails seemed fully covered so I thought I would give it a shot.
On the drive up to Lyme the ground had snow most of the way but not enough to ski. I was beginning to wonder if Green Woodland would still have some snow.
As I climbed closer to the trail system the snow was starting to look more promising. After I finally arrived at the parking lot, which can hold 30+ cars. I was surprised to see so many cars in such a remote lot. The weather was a bit on the warmer side, in the high 30’s and the sky was overcast.
Another nice thing about this network of groomed trails is there is no cost. If you feel compelled to leave something you can make a donation.
I grabbed my gear and made my way to the trail head. I started up Dorchester Road. This trail gradually climbs to the first side trail that I decided would be my exit route.
I saw lots of other skiers all the way up to the junction at Cummings Pond. There are a lot of camps and buildings here. There was a warming hut with a nice fire going on. Also, in the barn next to the fire pit is where you can borrow skis if you want to try it out. Since I was by myself, I keep going.
I started out on Norris Road. This also gradually climbs but has a lot of flat areas too. Lots of pretty tree lined trails and stone walls. Lots of interesting old trees.
Soon I made to the junction of the Spur trail and the Black Bog Trail. I followed the Black Bog trail. This trail had a few ups and downs at the start before the long downhill.
I was hoping for more of a glide, but temps were in the high 30’s and my skis were starting to ice up after a few glides. This was going to be an issue the rest of the trip. Many times, I had to stop and scrape the snow off my skis.
The down hills were not too bad. There as one area that I had to side step down due to a sharp turn and thin cover.
The rest of the trip was mostly flat. Around this time I was getting a little tired, especially with the ski issue but I kept going. Soon I made it back to the Dorchester Road junction I passed on my way in.
From here it was only about a half mile back to the parking lot. Toward the very end, there is another steep drop and thin cover, so I walked down this one. Then I put the skis back on for about another 100 feet back to the parking lot.
Over all these trails seem great. I am looking forward to going back after a nice snowstorm and exploring some of the other trails in the area. Lots to see and explore in this network.
