We have had some excellent Eastman hikes and walks this year. We need more leaders. If interested, please contact me at 863-6456 or phope@worldpath.net. I would like to expand both of our yearround programs.
Remember that autumn can be cold, and prepare accordingly. Let family or friends know your exact plans before you start on a trip. Consider the purchase of a NH Hike Safe Card available at www.nhfishandgame.com/HikeSafe and heed the 2016 hunting dates:
NH – Youth Rifle
Oct. 22-23
NH – Deer Rifle
Nov. 9-Dec. 4
VT – Youth Rifle
Nov. 5-6
VT – Deer Rifle
Nov. 12-27
In addition to my picks, I suggest everyone explore the new trail system in Grantham’s Brookside Park on Route 10. Some trails follow the lovely brook, while others loop inland to other points of interest. A complete story of the Brookside Park project is on pages 36-38.
For my pick, I have a short hike in seldom-visited Evans Notch on the New Hampshire – Maine border. Use GPS or another map application to direct you to Conway, NH. From there, follow Route 113 East. US-302 soon joins and takes you to Fryeburg, ME. Turn left on NH-113 again. Follow this road through North Fryeburg and Stow, ME, returning to New Hampshire and continuing north through North Chatham, NH. You’ll see the impressive Baldface Range on your left, and the mountains framing Evans Notch straight ahead. You will enter the White Mountain National Forest.
Bickford Slides
These are lovely waterfalls in a mountain brook, well worth the trip. Shortly after entering the White Mountain National Forest, a side road goes left toward campgrounds, while NH-113 swings right and narrows. After a gate, you’ll see the historic brick farmhouse, the Brickett Place, now a museum, on the right. Park there and start up though the woods on the Bickford Brook Trail, which soon turns right onto the old fire warden’s road. Turn right when you reach the Blueberry Ridge Trail, then immediately left on a short side path to a view of the Lower Slide from above.
A little below the start of this side path, turn left on the Bickford Slides Loop. This wild and attractive trail follows and frequently crosses lovely Bickford Brook. Soon a side path descends left to the Middle Slide. Farther upstream, the loop again crosses the stream at the Upper Slide.
Finally, the Bickford Slides Loop climbs to rejoin the Bickford Brook Trail 0.4 miles above the lower junction. From here it’s an easy downhill stroll back to Brickett Place. Total round-trip distance 2.3 miles, with 800’ elevation gain. Easy.
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