By Peter Hope
This past winter, I was unable to schedule our ever popular snowshoe hike program because the season began with icy trails, and bitter cold. Finally, when mornings became warmer, my work schedule conflicted, and no one else volunteered to lead winter outings. But rejoice! Spring is here: the groundhog did not see his shadow… or did he?!
Please be considerate of the trails during mud season. Until the ground is completely dry, stay off fragile trails, especially those at high altitude or on north-facing slopes. Don’t attempt 4000-footers until Memorial Day.
We will offer our Eastman walking and hiking programs this year, visiting nearby easy/moderate trails either in Eastman or the Upper Valley area. We will schedule more ambitious trips to nearby peaks as well as to the Green and White Mountains. A small transportation fee is required for trips outside our local area. This year we need more hike and walk leaders, as many of our veteran leaders have left us. Please contact me at 863-6456 or at phope@worldpath.net to find out more about this very satisfying volunteer opportunity.
When venturing afield, always remember that the safety of yourself and others should be your main concern. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear, and carry extra layers. Pack more food and water than you anticipate needing and your emergency gear, which should include a map and compass, a headlamp, extra socks and a first aid kit. Remember, you might have an unexpected and unplanned overnight stay in an unfriendly environment.
If you wish, bring a cell phone and/or GPS but don’t count on adequate service. Reserve 911 calls for true emergencies only. Because the emergency dispatcher does not always receive a precise location, tell a friend or family member of your plans for a trip and include destination, chosen route and projected time for return. Think carefully before venturing alone into remote areas; if you are injured, there may not be help readily available.
And now for two new Peter’s Picks, both good hikes for late spring:
INDIAN RIDGE, LEBANON/HANOVER
On NH 10, park on the inland side across from Wilder Dam on the Connecticut River, between West Lebanon and Hanover. The trail starts from the northernmost parking area, unplowed in winter. If you want, you can spot a car at the end of Brook Road in Hanover, which turns east off NH 10 at the north side of the concrete highway bridge over Mink Brook.
Follow a gated gravel road uphill, passing through a power line clearing. On the right, you will notice a pipe that pours outflow from Boston Lot Lake into the brook below. Soon you reach a grassy clearing with a trail junction, where you will continue straight to the attractive lake, formerly a reservoir for Lebanon, with the dam on your right.
Retrace your steps, watching for the Lakeside Trail on your right, heading north around the lake. Follow this to a picnic table located on a point, a great place for a rest stop. Then climb the steep bank and head due north away from the lake on a short connector trail. At the next junction, turn right on Eastside Trail, then left, climbing on another short connector to the Indian Ridge Trail. This trail continues to climb at a moderate grade, soon crossing from the city of Lebanon to Dartmouth land. Avoid the side trail that descends to the right and leads to Coburn Hill and DHMC.
Continue climbing along Indian Ridge,passing several viewpoints over the Connecticut River on your left. The trail descends along the ridge and ends at a major trail junction. Bear left on a more level trail that leads to the edge of Sachem Village, a Dartmouth housing area. If you turn left, you will follow a level path close to a power line with attractive fields to the right and then climb a bit into the col between Indian Ridge and Honeysuckle Hill, eventually turning back to the lake access road at the grassy clearing.
More interesting is turning right. You soon start a relatively steep descent, crossing a power line and entering the woods above Mink Brook natural area. You will cross Trout Brook and continue down to reach the Wheelock Trail, running along the south side of lovely Mink Brook. Bear right, then left, and you will reach the interesting bridge recently built across Mink Brook. Cross this and bear left on the Quinn Trail along the north side of the brook. To extend the hike, you can turn right and explore the easy but interesting Forest Loop and Brook Loop Trails. If you turn left after the bridge, you will come to a gate with parking beyond at the end of Brook Road in Hanover. Total distance for either option is 3-4 miles, with a few hundred feet elevation gain. Moderate
BLACK MT.(1280’), DUMMERSTON, VT
This small peak offers outstanding views from the ledges just below the summit. The Nature Conservancy recently acquired more land here, allowing the old loop trail to once more be available to hikers. To reach Black Mt., follow VT-30 northwest from Brattleboro and cross the West River on the Dummerston covered bridge. Turn right on Quarry/Rice Farm Road for 2.2 miles to a Nature Conservancy sign at a gravel road on the left. Limited parking is available across from this.
Follow the gravel road a short distance, crossing the old West River Railroad grade and turning right at a gate. Continue with a gradual climb, passing an old woods road at 0.3 miles. This will be your return route. Continue straight on bog bridges across a small wetland and begin more serious climbing on switchbacks to a ridge below the summit. Bear left, then right, following the trail markers. Just below the wooded summit, at 1.4 miles, the trail descends a little to open ledges that afford excellent views toward the Connecticut River Valley with Mt. Monadnock in the distance.
For an alternate return route, continue north along the ledges to an unmarked woods road in a small col. Turn right, descending near a brook and passing an old beaver dam on the left, to another woods road junction. Turn right and follow this to complete the loop. At this point, turn left to return to your car. Note that the descending route has not been marked by the Nature Conservancy, but it is open to the public. Total distance is 3.2 miles, with 975’ elevation gain. Moderate
HAPPY SPRING HIKING!
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