By Peter Hope
This past summer, we had some really nice Eastman hikes and walks—some in Eastman, some in the Upper Valley, and others farther away in New Hampshire and Vermont. As I do every year, I ask any would-be leaders to contact me at (603) 863-6456 or phope@worldpath.net. The more leaders, the more walks and hikes in all seasons.
Safety remains paramount. This applies to guided trips, but it is even more important when you are on your own. Keep in mind the hunting season dates, particularly for deer rifle hunting. At those times, choose your route with care, wear blaze orange, and make noise!
With fall here, be sure to plan for any and all conditions before hiking. Here are some guidelines for cold-weather hiking:
- Check forecasts before starting, but expect unpredicted changes at any moment.
- Bring extra layers of clothing, warm footwear with extra wool socks, protective gloves and hat.
- Pack a reliable LED headlamp and extra batteries, as days are shortening.
- Think of the 10 essentials that include packing enough food, water, and survival gear to allow an unexpected safe night out.
- Do not trust cell phones or other electronics.
- Always leave your plans for the trip with someone you trust. These should include your route, your destination, and your expected time of return.
New Hampshire now offers a Hike Safe NH card that costs $25 for one year and is available from the NH Fish and Game website. Without it, any hiker who needs rescuing due to his or her own negligence may be held responsible for the cost, which can be in the thousands of dollars.
For my Picks, I have two easy local hikes and a more ambitious one in the White Mountains:
BALCH HILL, HANOVER
This is a lovely conserved area near downtown Hanover. Take East Wheelock Street east from NH-120 uphill to the junction with Trescott and Grasse roads to a parking area on your right.
Cross Grasse Road to the kiosk, and start up the relocated Grasse Road Trail. Hurricane Irene devastated many of the trails in this area, with numerous huge blowdowns still visible in these woods. After a short climb, the trail levels, swinging to the right. At the first junction, bear left and continue straight at the next one, climbing on a newly improved section of trail. You will soon reach open fields at the summit, with great views of Vermont.
Total distance 0.5 mile, with 150’ elevation gain. Easy.
There are many other attractive trails on the hill, all of which do require a bit more climbing but are well worth the effort. For a trail map, visit www.hanoverconservancy.org/lands/balch-hill/.
POET’S TRAIL AT KING FARM, WOODSTOCK, VT
Drive through Woodstock on US-4. After you leave the village, watch for the turn to Prosper Road on your right. Immediately turn sharp right off this to Rose Hill Road, then take your first left on King Farm Road to the parking area next to the white farmhouse.
King Farm is an interesting preserved farm, which may someday be added to the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park. I suggest hiking the Poet’s Trail, which starts at a wooden arch behind the barns. Both poetry and sculpture can be enjoyed along this trail. You will climb for a mile through woods and pastures to a scenic overlook. If you’d like to continue, many trails climb to other excellent viewpoints in the national park.
Total distance for Poet’s Trail 2 miles, with 280’ elevation gain. Easy/Moderate.
MT. GARFIELD, NEAR TWIN MOUNTAIN
To reach the trailhead, drive north through Franconia Notch on I-93 and bear right onto US-3. Bear right on a gravel road (FR-92) that leaves from a small picnic area 4.1 miles beyond the intersection with NH-141. Bear left at a fork, and at 1.2 miles bear left across a bridge to the trailhead parking on your right.
Follow the rerouted Garfield Trail above the south branch of Gale River. It joins the old fire tower road after less than a mile. Soon you will come to several brook crossings. If the water is too high, follow the left bank of the first one a short distance to a snowmobile trail. Turn right on this to cross both on bridges, then follow the right bank of the second brook to rejoin the trail. From here on, your route continues climbing on the old fire road with gentle grades and switchbacks to reach the Garfield Ridge Trail at 4.8 miles. Here starts the short steep rock scramble to the right, up to the summit ledges at the site of the old tower. Views are truly outstanding!
Total distance 10 miles, 3050’ elevation gain. Strenuous.
SOME UPPER VALLEY HUNTING SEASON DATES:
NH – Youth Rifle October 24 – 25
NH – Deer Rifle Nov. 11 – Dec. 6
VT – Youth Rifle November 7 – 8
VT – Deer Rifle November 14 – 29
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