Franconia Notch feels like home. It is the location of multiple trailheads for 4000-Footers, it is the place of a beautiful bike path, it is the location of the natural beauties The Basin and The Flume, and it is where my daughters and I spent many hours doing trail work. Any avid White Mountain hiker has been all over, around, up, down, and through this Notch. Therefore, it was easy for me to check off this Natural Landmark. I technically checked it off years ago when I finished hiking all the trails that run through this area, though of course back then I had not yet conceived of this quest. Still, I paid another visit to it for the specific purpose of getting a recent photo for this blog. So here you go. The below photo was taken at Echo Lake, a tenth of a mile from the parking area.
Nancy Woods is another one I’d already done. I hiked through Carrigain Notch and around Carrigain and Mt Nancy (and therefore Nancy Woods) in August 2019. It’s a beautiful area, with a pond nestled up high. The first photo is of the woods right after one enters the forest (taken early October 2021), and the other is of the pond up by Mt. Nancy (taken August 2019).
October 19, 2021
I was given the all-clear from my doctor yesterday to start back into a regular routine. I will have to work up to things, which means just a mile or two a day at first. I celebrated by stopping by MA’s Lynnfield Marsh, aka Reedy Meadow, which is a National Natural Landmark. It’s the largest freshwater cattail marsh in Massachusetts, and access is from the parking lot of St. Paul’s Church in Lynnfield. From the lot, follow the old railroad tracks for half a mile or so until it deadends at the marsh. Be careful and respectful, as the old railroad bed passes next to a golf course and private residences. Also, I’d ask before parking at the church. There’s a daycare there, and you don’t want to interfere with pick-up and drop-off.
It was a wonderful feeling, walking to this marsh, feeling somewhat healthy and back to my normal self. It’s the best feeling in the world, exploring nature. I felt quite happy standing there next to the water knowing the busy Boston suburbs were close, and that I95 was a couple miles away. Even in the midst of urban sprawl, there are wide pockets of wilderness.
October 20, 2021 –
It was a beautiful day and Sage was at her father’s, so I embarked on an ambitious plan to visit three NH National Natural Landmarks: Heath Pond Bog, White Pitch Pines, and Madison Boulder. These three are close to one another about an hour away from my home. Altogether, I walked about three and a half miles. That was my limit, but I don’t feel bad now, hours later, sitting at my computer.
I felt SO HAPPY walking in the woods. Finding these places was fun too, especially the first, Heath Pond Bog. That one is “a secret” according to the local conservation group, though it is on public land. There aren’t any official trails, and nothing marks the area where one can park to access the pond. I found it and enjoyed a lightly used trail – to respect the wishes of the locals to keep it a “secret,” I will not publish how I accessed the pond. It’s all public information available if you search well enough, though. If you do visit, make sure to stay on the established path and not trample the delicate vegetation.
White Pitch Pines can be accessed in White Lake State Park by taking the Around-the-Lake Trail counter-clockwise until you reach Pitch Pines Trail about a quarter of a mile from the beach parking area. Pitch Pines Trail leads you through the natural landmark and brings you back to about the halfway point of Around-the-Lake Trail.
The third stop for the day was Madison Boulder, one of the largest glacial erratics in the world. The photo below doesn’t do it justice – it’s truly massive. It’s a short walk from the parking area to the boulder.
October 25, 2021
Wow. I feel almost completely back to normal. Still though. I’ll limit my excursions to non-4K hiking until next spring.
Today I ventured to Spruce Hole Bog, which is close to the University of New Hampshire. This National Natural Landmark is easy to visit, as the path around the bog is well maintained and well signed. It rained on me during my visit, but that was okay since the loop trail is only a mile round trip. I couldn’t get a great photo of the bog itself, since I wanted to respect the area and stay on the established path. This was a pleasant and easy walk in the woods, and I am grateful for the beauty and accessibility of this site.
The bog is down there
October 27, 2021
Walked around four and a half miles at my normal pace (with only a five-minute break) visiting East Inlet in Pittsburgh, NH near Canada. Felt good. I am eight weeks post-operation and feeling stronger each day. Will continue to add miles and elevation each week until I am back to normal. The area was filled with hunters – I saw two and heard gunshots – so I’m glad I wore a blaze orange vest.
Also visited Umbagog NWR for the third time (beautiful area!) and tried to lay eyes on the Floating Island, a floating bog that is also a National Natural Landmark. It is marked with a 3 on the included map. It might only be visible by boat?? I took a bunch of photos of the lake and hope I got part of that in there somewhere. The ranger station was closed (even though I went during their open hours), so I could not ask how to best see it while I was there.
This was a productive month even though I am nowhere near my former ability to hike (yet). That’s one of the many wonderful things about this game of mine. Doesn’t matter what shape I’m in, there’s always something to do and a beautiful place to see.