It is New Years Eve and I was out of work at 11am this morning, so I decided to sneak in one more hike this year. Since I’ve been exploring the New Boston and Amherst trails, I decided to check out the Haseltine Community Preserve.
Started on Frodo’s Ring
I know by just looking at the trial map on Gaia that these were mountain bike trails. But sometimes it’s fine to hike these and see if this is something I want to bring my bike back to during warmer months.
Liberty enjoying the moss
I arrived at the parking lot on Austin Road. It was in the 40’s and warm. The sun was out and I was the only one in the lot. This is a good-sized lot and can hold 15+ cars.
Gandalf Trail
I decided to do my route in a counterclockwise loop. I started out on Frodo’s Ring, This would be the main trail with several off shoots along the way. The trail starts out pretty flat and is well marked.
A very interesting rock along the trail. It is Liberty approved.
After a short ways, I came to Gimli, a small off shoot trail that I followed until it brought me back to Frodo’s Ring. Lots of mossy longs and large stones along the meandering path.
Stonewall detail
Frodo’s Ring led me to Gandalf. This was a much longer, winding and turning trail with lots of features. There were bridges, cool rock formations and beautiful terrain. This was a fun trail to explore.
Old hollow tree
Gandalf led me to The Shire. So of course, I had to go into the Shire for a little bit. I did not make it down to the end of the Shire but will return on another day.
Strider Sign
There is a small section of land here that is private property, and they ask that you leash your dogs because of free range chickens.
Liberty Biberty
Not to far in the Shire I came to the Gollum and followed that switchy backy trail loop. There were some interesting bridges and water crossing on this trail. This trail does climb a little but looked bikeable.
Liberty thinking about crossing the bridge.
I came out on the Shire trail down a little way from where started. I was on a bit of a time constraint to I stared to back track to Frodo’s Ring and continue that.
One of the many bridges
As I hiked, I passed other trails that I’ll have to explore another time, Strider and Legolas. We continued and the trail started to climb slightly along a few rolling hills.
Legolas Trail Sign
We came to another trail head, but this one is not the one we parked at. We continued on for a bit and before we know it we are back at our trail head.
Playing on the bridges
This was a very cool network of trails. Lots of natural beauty and some cool bike features. I will be coming back to explore more.
A quick trip down Eastside Trail. When I got to the Lincoln Woods trail head there was plenty of parking available. It was also nice to see a few people with cross country skis in hand.
The ranger station at the beginning of the trail.
I grabbed my Fisher S-bounds out of the back, got my boots on and grabbed my bag. Headed over to the trail head. I was going to do down the Lincoln Woods Trail but there was a good amount of people out, so I decided to go down the Eastside Trail instead.
This trail was also well traveled but I knew it would be less busy than the other. As I made my way through the snow-covered trees there was some fresh snow still on the sides. So I rode on that for a bit. These skis really do well on this type of fresh snow.
Looking down the trail
There are a few bridges to cross but all very sturdy. You could drive a vehicle out there if you needed to. Temps were in the low to mid 30’s and the snow was getting a bit sticky. At one point I had to apply wax to the skis. Learned this lesson the last time I was out.
I took a few spur paths to get some shots of the river. It was flowing nicely, and it had that beautiful turquoise green glow with frozen ice on top.
Trash as art
I got to the junction of the Pine Island Trail and made my way down to the river. This small downhill is blocked by a bunch of downed trees. I followed the trail for a bit but it looked like it would require some water crossings, so I turned around and went back up the Eastside trail.
I followed this trail for a bit. There was long gradual uphill that is followed by a steeper downhill toward a bridge. I decided to take my skis off and walk this section. Better safe than sorry.
The cold turquoise waters
My goal was to go out to the Wilderness tent site. Some areas of the trail are icy and thin. As I got further down the trail it was becoming wetter and more rocky. So I decided to turn around.
The trip back seemed to go much quicker. I enjoyed the long gradual downhill. I was cruising at just the right speed.
Skiing across the suspension bridge
I only saw a few people on this side. Some skiing, some hiking and some just out for a walk. I had a few conversations with a few of them. It was nice to see everyone enjoying the snow.
When I made it back to the beginning of the trail. I had to go across the suspension bridge to get a pic and say I skied across it.
A quick reel of my trip
This was a quick but fun ski. I’ll be back when we have more snow. I would really like to ski out and spend the night at tent site and ski back in the morning sometime.
Liberty and I had a little time for a walk so we took advantage of the afternoon light that was left and headed to Amherst NH.
Pull off parking at the Bicentennial Trail
A while back I saw the Rocky and Bullwinkle trail and then noticed that there was a Humpty Dumpty trail and a Jabberwocky trail nearby. It looked like the two could be done as a loop and that was just what we were looking for.
When we got the trail head on Austin Road, there was a small pull-off that I was able to park in. There were some other pull offs along the road but not much room.
Liberty standing on Humpty Dumpty’s wall
The temps were in the high 20’s low 30’s and the sun was shining. A perfect day to be out. We decided to do the loop clockwise, starting with the Humpty Dumpty Trail.
Running across one of the many bridges
This was fun because the trail runs along an old stone wall. I wonder if this is the wall Humpty Dumpty fell on?
Having fun on the trail
The trail is pretty flat, well marked and easy to follow. It runs in a straight line with the wall. When we reached the end of the trail we could go left or right. I choose left. It turns out, my choice was a trail but not a hiking trail.
Jabberwocky Trail Head Sign
I followed it to a 5G tower that was fenced off. So from here I bushwacked over the hill to join the original trail. Once I was back on track the junction for the Jabberwocky trail was not far.
Fun textures in the woods
Liberty and I took a few pics at the sign and started out on the winding, twisting, turning trail. I’m pretty sure these are all mountain bike trails. But they are fun for walks as well.
The Jabberwocky trail is just under a mile long. There were lots of bike bridges and features along this trail.
Some Bike Features on the trail
We came to Bicentennial trail junction and followed that back up to the trail head that we started from. I would like to bring my mountain bike out here some time and explore these trail.
It’s the day after Christmas and I wanted to get out and enjoy some of the snow before the rains come later this weekend.
View of the parking lot from the trail
My buddy Jay and I made our way up to Jackson to explore some more of this cross country trail network. When we arrived in Jackson at the tour center it was about 19 degrees, no wind, the sun was shining and not a cloud in the sky. It really was a perfect day to be out.
After getting our passes ($24), we decided we would go explore some more trails in the Prospect Farm section up in Carter Notch. We got to the trail head around 10am and the lot up there was about half full.
The trail was well tracked and had plenty of snow all around.
This lot can hold 20ish cars if people park correctly, but it does fill up quickly so getting there early is a good idea.
We started up the main trail heading toward the Orchard Trail. When we arrived to the Beaver Bog Trail Jay decided to go explore it. I had been before and he is a much faster skier than I. So, I continued up. From that trail junction the trail gets pretty steep. Going down was going to be an adventure.
The old apple orchard along the Orchard Trail
At the top is the junction to the Orchard Trail. There is also the trail to Halls Ledge which was skied but not groomed and looked a little rough. There is also the Carter Notch Spur that had not been touched in a few days. But I went down the Orchard trail.
At the beginning of this trail is an old apple orchard. The sun was shining above it with blue skys. You could also see Black Mountain through the trees.
Old abandoned car
Across the trail is an old cellar hole from the Johnson Family that used to live there. I continued down the trial. A little ways in I came across an old car covered in snow. It might have a car from the 40’s or 50’s.
This trail is mostly level but has a lot of ups and downs to glide along. At the end there is beautiful line of snow-covered pine trees and an opening with some views. At this point Jay caught up with me and we made our way out back to the trail junction.
Playing around in the orchard and Black Mountain in the background.
At the junction we decided to ski through some of the old orchard. The snow was nice and fluffy and it was fun practice in the fresh snow.
We talked about going up to the ledge, but people said the trial was rough coming down. We decided to go out and break a track on the Carter Notch Spur trial. The snow was pristine. It sparkled in the sunlight. Just beautiful.
The old Johnson Cellar holeSign next to the cellar hold
We both broke a track for a little bit but after the first hill I decided to continue on the track Jay was breaking out. It is a lot of work on an unbroken trail. This trail was as wide as a road and had some ups and downs. There were also about 6 – 7 water bars we had to cross. My skis kept getting wet and would clump snow. At the end there is another clearing we turned around in.
While we were there another skier had made their way out on our tracks. The saying is true. “If you built it, they will come”. On our way back, again I had issues with wet skis and jumping the water bars.
Junction Sign
I also learned that my step-in bindings are not the best in the deep snow. Snow kept getting packed in the bindings when I had to scrape my skis. We made it work though.
Back at the trail junction, we skied down to the Quail trail. Jay went first and When I started down, got a little to much speed and wiped out. Fortunately, the snow was soft. I got up and started down again. This time staying upright.
Breaking a track on the Carter Notch Spur
At the Quail Trail we started up. After a few minutes of climbing, I looked at my GPS and noticed that it had stopped tracking. It must have shut up after my fall. I started the track back up but lost about a mile or so of the route. We arrived at the Marsh Brook Trail junction and decided to go a bit further. I went up as far as the Beaver Bog trail and turned around. Jay went a little further.
Beautiful views along this trail
We had decided to take the Marsh Brook Trail down. This trail was not groomed and looked like only one person had gone on it in the last couple of days. Lots of fresh snow.
Another cellar hole across from the trail
Again, breaking trail is slow going. Jay caught up as I was about half way though the trail. After a bit we saw some tracks coming from the other end and going in to the woods. We followed them for a bit. The trail was tight but fun.
Back on the marsh trail we continued down. The trail is not flat any more and gets steeper as we descend. There was even a caution sign that warned of the steepness.
A little spur trail off the Marsh Trail.
Jay was able to ski down to the bottom where the trail reached the road. I decided to take my skis off for this last section. It was rough and steep.
Jackson XC covered bridge sitting in the shadows
At the road we walked about 20 yards to the parking lot and had a snack and drink before heading down to the village.
I was tired at this point. But any time I get a chance to ski across the Jackson XC covered bridge I do it. Jay went out the Storybook Trail while I tracked some of the trails around the golf course in the village.
Mt. Washington glowing in the background.
We met back at the car around 4pm and called it a day. This was one of the best days I’ve had out xc skiing. Everything was amazing. Unfortunately, warm temps and rain are in the forecast for the next week. Glad I got to enjoy this while I could.
Today is the Winter Solstice and I always try to go for a hike on the solstices and equinoxes during the year. There is something special about those days. Something, unordinary. Today was no different.
Another chilly morning brought me back to the Joe English Reservation. This time I planned on visiting a few trails I didn’t get to see last time.
Informational Signs covered in snow
I went to the same parking lot as last week. When I got there, there were already a number of cars in both lots. The skies were cloudy, and temps were in the low 20’s. There was also a half inch of fresh snow on the ground.
I headed down the trail to do the southern loop. I choose to do the loop clockwise and started down the Bicentennial trail. The trail starts off level until you get to a water crossing with a bridge.
Opera Singer Tree
This trail climbed very gently up toward an un-named mountain. Once I got toward the top, I found the spur trial that loops around the summit called the Un-named trail.
Once back at the spur trail junction I continued down the Hemlock Trail. This trail is a little steeper than the one I came up but was still pretty easy going as far as trails go.
The first of many bridges on this trail
Once I was back at the parking lot, I started up the Old Brook Road. This trail is very easy going and would be one of the first trails I would take my xc skis on if we got some snow.
I followed this trail all the way up to the Ledge Trail which takes me by a pond with the benches and the wooden bridge. It connects with the Bacon trail for a bit and goes around the back side of the pond.
Climbing up the Bicentennial Trail
Once I got to the Oak trail I started to climb lightly up the slope for a while. This trial goes by some interesting rock formations. It soon connects again with the Bacon Trail. There are some small water crossings, but they all had bridges.
Benches and Pulpit back at the center
Soon after I arrived at the Ledge Trail. Then I came to the intersection of the Highland Trail. This is a nice trail and would also be good for xc skiing. I continued up this to the Harding Trail junction and followed the Harding Trail loop.
Trees grow in all shapes and sizes
This is an interesting trail. Lots of small features and it is pretty easy going. There is a small gradual climb when the trail switches back. But it was barley noticeable. I took a break near the crest of the trail. There was an interesting old dead pine that was pecked out by woodpeckers.
The frozen pond
When I finished the loop, I ended up back at the Highland Trial, I thought about going to see the Rocky and Bullwinkle Trail. But that would add about 2 more miles. I thought about it. It would be an additional 45 minutes. There were no tracks on the trail at this point so I decided to go for it. I was out here to hike.
The Rocky Trail
The Bullwinkle Trail
I continued down the Highland Trail. After a bit. It opened from some logging. Then went back into the woods for a bit. The sun was shining through the clouds at times.
Wooden Bridge on the Bullwinkle Trail
Soon I was at the junction of the Rocky and Bullwinkle trail. The Rocky trail is a bit longer (.8mi) so I thought I would start on that. This trail slowly descends and has some small ups and downs. You don’t notice the elevation drop till the end.
Lichen on the side of the tree
When I reached the end of this trail, I took the Bullwinkle trail back up to the first junction. From there I backtracked to the Harding Trail. Then continued down the Highland Trail to the Pine Trail.
The Pine Trail zig zags down some of the slopes. I had taken this trail before, and it leads you back to the parking lot.
Stones along the trail
This was a longer hike than I was planning on taking today. Seven miles in total. But it was pretty easy going. The trails here are very well marked and have a lot of beautiful stone walls and vegetation.
There are a few surrounding forests that have some trails that I’ll be coming back to explore as well. I’ll also be back when the snow gets deeper. Lots to explore here.
Back at the parking lot. it’s about 2pm but looks like it should be 5pm. Picture of my hiking route
This was my first visit to the Joe English Reservation in New Boston. After a few failed attempts at hiking this morning, a friend recommended me visiting this trail system. Joe English Reservation also abuts the Space Force base which does not allow the public to enter.
Hunters and Hikers have to play nicely
When I arrived at the parking lot I was the only car there. The temps were in the low 20s and the sun was shining. The lot can hold 15-20 cars and there is another lot about 50 yards down the road.
Once Liberty and I got our gear on we set out on the Hammond Brook Trail (HBT). This trail loops around the northern section of the Reservation. The first section starts out near the Peabody Mill.
Information Boards along the trail
Not far from the lot was the junction for the Hammond Brook Trail. From here the trail is pretty flat and there is a long bog bridge to follow.
Liberty playing in near the stream
The trail continues through the woods. Every so often there is a plant identification card along the trail. Soon after I came to the timber trail junction and then the Eagle Junction. These are cut offs but I continued along the HBT.
Little dog big shadow
The trail follows a brook, hence the name, and Liberty enjoyed playing in the water despite the cold temps. There are a few large boulders and some rock formations to see as well.
A bridge by a pond
The trail starts to loop back and skirts the property boundary with Space Force. It also starts to climb a little. There are many signs letting people know that this is private government property and trespassers are not welcome. Liberty and I stayed on our side of the wall.
The HBT merges into the Eagle Trail and weaves in and out on the hill side. Then the Eagle Trail turned into the Timber Trail. Both of these trails were passed on my way out.
Small pond along the trail
We took the Timber Trail to the Old Brook Road. This looks like it would be a nice XC Ski trail if we ever get enough snow in southern NH. I was only on this trail for a short time before I got to the Ledge Trail.
This trail goes around a small frozen pond with some benches in different spots. Liberty and I took a break and took some pics. Not to far from here is the junction of the Bacon Trail. Which I had to take because I love bacon.
Cool tree along the trail
The Bacon Trail was my favorite trail of the day. The trail started along the other side of the pond. Then it continues along the permitter of the Space Force property. The trail climbs gently up one of the hills. There were more warning signs and even some that had grown into the trees from being there so long.
Tree growing in to a sign
This trail starts to loop back down the hill. I eventually made it to the Highland Trail. This is a small extension to add some more steps to this hike. The Highland Trail looped and connected back to the Pine Trail, which was just a short distance to the parking lot. This trail was interesting because it had a lot of illustrated signs talking about different animals and things on the trail.
Liberty reading the sign
This section of the Reservation was beautiful and pretty easy to hike. There is lots to see along the trails and Liberty had a blast the whole time. I’ll be back soon to explore the rest of the trails here.
