9 learnings on the hiking trail

My teenagers and I set out to hike Cannon Mountain in Franconia Notch a few weeks ago. Our goal was to stop for lunch at the Lonesome Lake AMC Hut and continue to the summit. However, things didn't work out quite as planned.

Here are 9 things I learned (or more accurately, re-learned) on this hike.

1. Hiking with kids is not always predictable – particularly in the supplies needed-department – even when they are teenagers.

2. Teenagers might fall in mud accidentally but it is just as messy as when they were preschoolers. Only this time mom doesn't have that change of clothes (or socks) she always used to carry for her babies.

3. The Lonesome Lake Hut sell socks!

4. The hut only takes cash (which is, of course, obvious). Thankfully I had exactly the right amount of cash (down to the last four quarters - and why we had (heavy) quarters instead of (light) bills is still a mystery) to buy a pair of clean socks AND the coveted Lonesome Lake Hut patch the girls wanted for their backpacks.

5. Muddy hiking boots – then dipped in a lake to wash off (with feet still in them, which mom did not recommend but was done anyhow) – do not dry in the sun in an hour.

6. Hiking up the trail in squishy, soaking wet hiking boots is not a good time for a hiker.

7. Changing plans and turning around to head home after lunch rather than visit the summit is a good choice for everyone in the hiking party.

8. Each hiker should be responsible to pack a clean pair of socks in their backpack.

9. Everyone should bring their sense of humor to the mountain. I can't remember a time I didn't need to pull that particular item out of the pack at least once during a hike!

 Exhibit 1: Hiker's self-portrait of muddy faux pas. 
...and solution to the problem.

Exhibit 2: Younger sibling trying to contain laughter for having navigated the mud with less mess (and replay the video she took that mom is not allowed to share here of her sibling screaming about falling in the mud).

Exhibit 3: New ($13) socks from the AMC hut.

 

Exhibit 4: An hour in the sun (without feet in them) does not dry soaked hiking boots but you still need to put them back on anyway. A silly swimmer can make the hiking party smile and therefore all seems OK again.

ON ANOTHER NOTE....

It is possible to be photo bombed by a dragonfly, just in case you were wondering.

Kid Tracks Column: The view was outstanding, but about those signs

Mount Zircon in Rumford offers a wonderful mountain-top view of the area. What it doesn't offer is the best signage.

The kids and I have spent a lot of time this summer in the White Mountains National Forest (both in Maine and New Hampshire) and have come to expect certain signage, thanks to our familiarity with the national forest. It's not that Mount Zircon's trailhead isn't marked, because it is. It is just not obvious -- and not in the place you might expect.

The old dirt road that serves as the initial start to the trail looks like someone's driveway, complete with house, camper and backyard pool. And once on the trail, the sign turning off the main trail to the summit of the mountain is set back.

On this trail, put your eagle-eyed kids to work looking for the key signage.

While driving, I realized we had passed the trailhead and found a place to turn around. My kids were delighted to find a handwritten sign at the spot I turned around that said, "For Mount Zircon Trail take the road after the bridge." We turned around and found the Tree Farm sign for the Rumford Water District that included a smaller sign just above it for Mount Zircon.

We parked on the small grassy shoulder at the trailhead and passed that house (and pool) as well as a locked red gate to walk up the gravel road that starts the trail. It was a steady but not overly steep climb. About a mile and a half up the old road, we found the remains of the old Zircon Water Bottling Company. The Maine Mountain Guide description we read indicated there was a pipe with running water from the spring. The water looked clean flowing out but the pipe itself seemed slimy and not so clean. In a pinch I would have drank the water but we had plenty in our pack so we took a pass. Still an interesting stop, though.

We hiked up the trail and after a while felt like we'd missed our left-handed turn up to the summit. My mapping program that tracks our progress on the trail indicated we were likely too far into the road and had missed the turn. After a second pass in the area we still didn't see a sign on the trail. A third return pass (there is apparently a reason for the cliche "third time's the charm") was when we finally spotted the white, round "Mount Zircon" trail sign on a tree. It was set back about 50 feet from the trail amid an overgrown area of ferns and greenery. It is a pretty obvious sign once we knew where to look. But when you're used to signage being on a tree or post on the trail itself, we simply weren't looking in the correct place. With all the passing by, we'd hiked about a mile more than we needed to before the real climb to the summit actually began. Yeah, call us knuckleheads if you will but only after you visit this trail in the height of summer's foliage. If you have a GPS application on your phone, input these GPS coordinates (44.4791, -70.5669) before you leave to ensure you don't miss this trail sign.

The summit trail is a narrow path through a more dense forest. Closer to the summit the trail got rocky and the footing a bit trickier because the rocks were slippery with recent rain. It wasn't especially difficult but it did require more purposeful stepping.

We reached the summit to see a fallen-down fire tower and a wonderful mountain-top view. The fire tower carnage was interesting but the kids and I found the wind turbines on Spruce Mountain to be another fascinating feature. We also spotted some of the mountains we've hiked previously and that's always a fun geography lesson for the kids.

The mountain summit at 2,240 feet (with an elevation gain of about 1,600 feet), makes this a "moderately difficult" hike, according to the Maine Mountain Guide. I'd say it's "difficult" for a family of occasional hikers. But if you have kids who like to hike and you've climbed some other mountains this season, you'll enjoy this trek. The climb is worth the effort for the wonderful views.

MOUNT ZIRCON, RUMFORD
• Trail head GPS coordinates: 44.5057, -70.564
• Trail length: about 5.4 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: about 1,600 feet
• From the junction of Routes 26 and 232 in Woodstock, take Route 232 for 6.8 miles to Abbotts Mill. Turn right on S. Rumford Road and drive about 6 miles to a gated gravel road on the right. There is a Tree Farm, Rumford Water District sign with a small Mount Zircon sign above it.

Mt Zircon In Rumford

Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram Aug. 11, 2013

Mountain top taste-testing makes for fun, motivated climbing

We have spent a lot of time in Evans Notch this spring and summer. Actually we have spent a lot of time in this area over the years. It's about 20 miles north of Fryeburg and has some amazing mountain views.

But in addition to finding some wonderful summits, we've also found a gem of a place to stop to get snacks before we set out on the trail – Quinn's Jockey Cap Country Store (at 116 Bridgton Road on Route 302 in Fryeburg). On first glance it looks like a typical locally-owned convenience store set in any small town in Maine. But this place has bakery-quality desserts and lots of homemade goodness. We've had delicious cakes, cookies, cheesecake and other treats from this place. They also have all sorts of sandwiches and pizza (for breakfast and lunch) and plenty of the typical hiking fare of granola bars, nuts, chips and water. It's a well-stocked place. One thing about it though, it's not particularly inexpensive. But as far as bakery treats and lunch sandwiches go, it's a tasty stop.

The girls and I are not big potato chip eaters but when we pick up a bag, it's typically a salt and vinegar type flavor. At the Jockey Cap Country Store recently we saw several different types of Utz chips and decided it would be fun to buy a variety for a taste test at the summit of Blueberry Mountain (our hike du jour). We also decided to pick up a couple of danishes – raspberry and apple – to round out the sweet versus salty snack experience on the mountain top.

Blueberry Mountain is not the toughest climb we've ever done but in the summer heat, it is a sweaty workout. But it wasn't so bad on this recent trek because we knew we had some fun taste-testing planned once we got to the summit.

The Kettle Classic "Salt and Malt Vinegar" Utz chips won hands-down (or thumbs up if you roll that way) in our book for the tang of the malt vinegar.

We also found some natural goodness to snack on near the summit as well.

Hiking up a mountain can be a serious workout challenge but when you pack the right kind of motivational snacks and approach the day with fun and silliness, everyone in the family has a good time.

It's not always about the view on every trip for us... although we have found that a beautiful setting sure does make everything taste better.

Kid Tracks column: Evans Notch at its family friendliest

There are a lot of challenging hikes in Evans Notch in the White Mountains National Forest, but there are two hikes in this area that are great for families or those looking for a less challenging trek with great mountain views.

The Roost is a hike that has been on my family's bucket list for years simply because we like the name. But the main reason it took us a while to actually get there is because of how short the hike actually is -- just a half-mile.

I felt if we were going to drive the distance to Evans Notch (about 20 miles north of Fryeburg via a winding road), I wanted to hike a bigger mountain to make the drive worth it. But we finally got there, and my kids found several reasons to like the short adventure.

The trail offers a steady ascent with an elevation gain of about 800 feet, and it took us less than 30 minutes to get to the top. The summit is tree-covered, but a short hike following a marked trail leads to an open ledge with some nice views of the notch.

A feature we liked on this trail was all the animal droppings. We rarely see an animal when we hike, so droppings are a good consolation prize, particularly when there are a variety of shapes and sizes that prompts speculation about what left them. Poop never fails to be a conversation starter for kids of all ages.

The biggest challenge with The Roost hike for us was the bugs. A friend drove us to the trail and I was without my car's usual supply of bug spray. And I forgot to throw a bottle of spray in my backpack. So on a wet muggy day, we were dressed in pants and windbreakers (with hoods). It made for a very hot, buggy hike. Even so, it was a place worth its spot on our bucket list. The hike may have been short, but that offered time to for a quick side trip to shop in North Conway. If there weren't already a dozen other reasons why my kids like Evans Notch, this would be added to my teenagers' list of attractive features.

Unlike The Roost, Blueberry Mountain, also in Evans Notch, was a must-explore from the moment we learned of it. We've hiked the mountain several times over the years. The first time was when the kids were in elementary school. And although longer and more challenging than The Roost -- about 4.6 miles roundtrip -- it's doable for kids with an average fitness level who like to hike.

In the past month I've hiked Blueberry Mountain twice, once with a friend on a new-to-me trail and again with the kids on a loop we usually take to the summit. I now have an informed opinion about which I think is best for families -- the White Cairn Trail to the summit, and then the Overlook Loop to connect to the Stone House Trail to head back down the mountain. The White Cairn trail offers some challenges and a bit of scrambling over rocks, but there are a couple nice views before you get to the summit. This is nice when you need a snack break to catch your breath (and confirm your motivation to get to the top). The Overlook Loop follows the mountain's ridge and offers lots of great lunch spots to take in the surrounding mountains and Shell Pond. The Stone House Trail is an easy descent that has a trail spur to Rattlesnake Pool, a stunning blue/green lagoon-type swimming hole and a favorite spot for us to dip our feet in the water.

The other new-to-me trail to Blueberry's summit is the Bickford Slides Trail to Blueberry Ridge Trail. The Bickford Slides Trail is an easy ascent, but once you make the turn onto the Blueberry Ridge Trail, be prepared to do some serious climbing.

My friend and I stopped several times on the steep, rocky "steps" and had a variety of interesting conversations while taking breaks to catch our breath. Although a more strenuous climb, this trail can offer a loop to summit two additional mountain peaks (Ames and Speckled mountains). It's an all-day adventure to cover the almost 9-mile loop. But when hiking with children, the loop up White Cairn offers an easier half-day hike that I think is more appealing to families hiking with younger kids.

There is an added bonus to hiking Blueberry Mountain this month -- its namesake fruit. The wild blueberry bushes are abundant near the summit, and last week when I was there with the kids, there were already plenty of berries to pick and eat.

 A view from The Roost 

 Rattlesnake Pool on the Stone House Trail on Blueberry Mountain.

THE VIEW FROM HERE
THE ROOST
• Trail head GPS coordinates: 44.0593, -70.911
• Trail length: 1 mile roundtrip
• Elevation gain: about 800 feet
BLUEBERRY MOUNTAIN
• White Cairn Trail/Stone House Trail loop
• Trail head GPS coordinates: 44.252, -70.9909
• Trail length: approximately 4.5 miles roundtrip
• Elevation gain: about 1,180 feet
Both trails are in Evans Notch in the Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness area of the White Mountains National Forest, about 20 miles north of Fryeburg on Route 113.

The Roost In Evans Notch

Blueberry Mountain: White Cairn and Stone House trails

Wendy Almeida can be contacted at:
wea@mainetoday.com
Twitter & Instagram: wea1021

Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram July 14, 2013.

Hiking: Moose, bear, mosquitoes, oh my!

We decided to hike The Roost in Evan's Notch on the Maine side of the White Mountains National Forest. While driving to the Notch we spotted a moose crossing the Saco River. This was the cause of much excitement for all in our car. Shannon, driving her car on this adventure, pulled over to the side of the road and we all jumped out and ran to the river. The moose had already lumbered across the river by the time we got to the shore so G. was only able to get a far-away photo of the moose. But still, we were jazzed we spotted her on the bridge and it was a testament to our excitement when we returned to the road and the car was still running.

 (You can barely see moose but she's there between the trees.)

As we were driving through Evan's Notch we watched a black bear run across the road about 30 feet in front of us. We all paused for a moment - pretty much in shock - because none of us had every seen a black bear in the wild. Of course I thought the moose would be the highlight and did not have my camera handy for a photo of the bear. You'll just have to take my word for this particular sighting.

As I have talked about in previous posts and print columns, we rarely see any interesting creatures because we talk and laugh and generally create a ruckus in the woods that would scare off even the most bold of creatures. So this is why it was such a remarkable day for us.

We do tend to find a lot of signs of wildlife while hiking. This trip was no different. We found many piles of moose droppings. At the top of The Roost we had a bit of fun pretending to golf with a walking stick.

It was a fun day on the trail.

There was one thing that we encountered that we really could have done without – mosquitoes.

And we forgot something in our packs that I am embarrassed to even admit.

Bug spray!

This photo sort of sums up our experience on the trail.

But that shouldn't reflect badly on our final destination. It was a fairly easy hike to a really nice view of the notch.

The Roost In Evan's Notch

Kid Tracks column: Learning, with plenty of enjoyment

Learning about the outdoors is a work in progress for my family despite the fact we are outside all the time and I've been writing this column for 10 years. But when I'm asked how I learned about trees, birds, the night sky and a whole host of other useful (and maybe not so useful but fascinating) tidbits about the outdoors, I think back to my family's early adventures. When my kids were younger I spent a fair amount of time looking for family-oriented classes. Not classes where I dropped my kids off. No, I'm talking about classes where adults and kids could learn together.

These type of classes are more common than they used to be and I am happy to see this trend has taken off in southern Maine in a variety of venues.

Below is only a short sampling of options based on my family's first-hand experience (both recent and during my kids' younger years).

WOLFE'S NECK WOODS STATE PARK, FREEPORT
My children's first introduction to tree identification was a ranger program at Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park. We went on a tree "scavenger hunt" (now called the "Tree Hunt") with a worksheet and pencil. We returned a short while later with an almost-blank worksheet and spent time chatting up a patient ranger who gave us tips on how to look at trees to figure out what kind they were (it's not just about leaves; bark matters too). We still have that hand-out, now nearly 8 years old, in our family scrapbook.

I contacted Andy Hutchinson, park manager at Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park, about ranger programs this summer. These programs are offered every Saturday and Sunday until June 15; on June 16 the ranger programs are offered daily through July and August at 2 p.m.
Hutchinson said one of the highlights is the "Osprey Watch" scheduled every Tuesday and once every weekend in July and August.

"In July the babies in the nest should be learning to fly and fish. In late August or early September, the baby ospreys should be self-sufficient and ready to migrate to South America on their own, after the parents have already left for South America themselves."

SOUTHWORTH PLANETARIUM AT USM, PORTLAND
I have taken my kids to planetarium shows since they were preschoolers and they have always loved the experience. Despite having seen some of the shows in the dome multiple times, we still seem to learn something new we missed. But mostly my family likes the mythology and other storytelling orientated programs offered there now that they're older.

There are also some changes in store for the Southworth Planetarium this summer. They have given the "Rusty Rocket's Last Blast!" show a makeover. The new computer-animated omni-dome program, which will debut July 15, will offer even veteran planetarium-goers a chance to see and learn about the solar system in a new and entertaining way. Show admission prices for shows range from $5 to $6.50/per person, depending on matinee or evening showtimes.

The planetarium is also teaming up with Portland Trails to offer star watching walks along some of the trails this summer. Check trails.org/programs for more information.

WELLS RESERVE AT LAUDHOLM, WELLS
There is a fun, easy trail system that leads to the beach that we have always enjoyed, particularly in the spring before it actually warms enough to swim (although that doesn't stop my youngest from rolling up her pants and giving her feet a cold water dip). There are also a wide variety of special programs, guided tours and general nature walks that are open to all ages. Some programs have a small fee while others -- like the ones I list below -- are free with the cost of admission ($1/kids; $4/adults).

We attended a bird banding program once and the girls were fascinated with the concept of how that kind of research is conducted.

Suzanne Kahn Eder, education director at Wells Reserve, said a popular family-oriented program at the reserve is the "Life Between the Tides Walk." Families explore the "biodiversity of the intertidal zone at Laudholm Beach." The docent-led walk looks for crabs, sea stars and snails with about a mile of walking. There is another program, "Secrets of the Salt Marsh," that explores the estuary and also focuses learning on marsh habitat.

One of the special programs in July, "Flying Jewels," will explore the wonders of dragonflies and butterflies. The Reserve's natural resource specialist will explain the role the different habitats of the Wells Reserve play in the life cycles of these creature. Nets will also be available to see if participants can catch one for a close look at the fascinating insects. This program will be held July 24 at 1 p.m.
Families can also get a hands-on experience helping native species with the "Monarch Rescue." This citizen science program allows families to join a team of monarch rescuers to find and move monarch eggs and caterpillars to "safe" fields that aren't mowed in the summer. It's Aug. 14 at 9 a.m.

MAINE AUDUBON
GILSLAND FARM, FALMOUTH
There are a variety of family-friendly programs at Maine Audubon centers around the state. A program that has been a highlight for my family has been the "Bird Walk" program at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth. The Thursday morning walks are all about the early bird catching the worm since this program starts at 7 a.m. But as my kids and I can confirm, it was worth the early morning wake-up call. We have learned so much about birds, not only from the Audubon guide leading the walk, but also with the other participants. It's a program geared for novices to expert birders. The times we've attended have been a great opportunity to chat with other birding enthusiasts in a way that has been low key and educational for all ages. The cost of this program is $5/members; $8/nonmembers.

FOR MORE information about family-oriented outdoor programs in southern Maine, try these resources:
• Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, Freeport
http://ht.ly/lORYA
• Southworth Planetarium at USM, Portland
www.usm.maine.edu/planet/events
• Wells Reserve at Laudholm, Wells
wellsreserve.org
• Maine Audubon
maineaudubon.org/events

Bring a pair of binoculars when you visit Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park in Freeport. 

The kids will love getting a close look at the osprey nest.  

Wendy Almeida can be contacted at:
wea@mainetoday.com
Twitter & Instagram: wea1021

Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram June 9, 2013.

Kid Tracks column: Keeping fun as the climb's bottom line

The kids and I, along with our friend Shannon, hiked two mountains this past month but we never reached either summit. We are tracking our "numbers" -- elevation gain and mileage -- in our attempt to get into shape for bigger mountains to climb this summer, but we have learned to keep our adventures fun even if it means not getting to the actual summit.

Our first mountain was Mount Megunticook in Camden Hills State Park. The last time we climbed this mountain, it was a 95-degree day. We wanted to tackle this one again when the temperatures were cooler and the backpacks weren't laden with extra water bottles. We had to park outside the entrance gates at this time of year, so that added a bit to our mileage, but it was a lot easier in the cooler temperatures (and lighter packs). According to the AMC Maine Mountain Guide (and a friendly couple we met) the summit is actually in a wooded area with no nice views. The Ocean Lookout offers the best view on the mountain, which is about 135 feet below the actual summit. Since we still managed to hike about a 1,000-foot elevation gain, we felt like we accomplished our goal for the hike and set up our picnic lunch to bask in the springtime sun.

A couple of weeks later we attempted to climb the Red Ridge Trail on the Moat Mountain Trail loop in the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire. We have hiked a short part of this trail many times to the waterfalls at Diana's Baths but we'd never gone farther than the falls until this trip.
I saw from trail reports that there wasn't much snow on the Red Ridge Trail but that caution should be used at river crossings at this time of year because of high water.

We found ourselves doing a lot of rock hopping across several small streams (and one big one) on the trail. One crossing offered nothing to walk across above the water line. After some debate we decided to cross the river barefoot. It was not a fast-moving stream nor was it deep, but my 15-year-old found the temperature uncomfortably cold. My daughter said she will never again underestimate the coldness of a mountain stream in spring.

We spent the first couple of miles on easy, fairly level terrain. But when the trail headed upward, it was steady and arduous.

This trail was one of those times that despite examining the trail map in detail, the reality of the elevation gain was more than we expected.

Once we hit the open ledges, we were presented with several maybe-it's-the-summit views as we climbed. But we found that once we got to the top of that ledge, there was another one right behind it.
We never did get to the "unnamed summit" of the Red Ridge Trail (which is at the intersection of Moat Mountain Trail). According to my 15-year-old and Shannon, this trail felt like it was "the mountain that never ends." Words to this effect (or possibly a bit more colorful -- my memory is hazy on this point) were yelled from a spot when yet another view revealed that we still were not at the top.

This is the point when we made the call to stop. We had already completed a 2,000-foot elevation gain (the highest of the season for us so far) and we reasoned that if we had continued, it would have lost its fun. Other than bragging rights, there wasn't any real reason to push ourselves.

So we turned around and expounded on the amazing views of the White Mountains, laughed about our strategies for water crossings and pondered which mountain we might tackle next.

The fact that we were talking about the next mountain adventure confirmed that we'd made the right decision to head home. Because in the end it's more important to me (and the kids) to have fun. Otherwise, why do it?

TWO HIKES TO LIKE

CAMDEN HILLS STATE PARK

WHERE: Camden
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: The climb up Mount Megunticook at 1,385 feet is moderate for teens and difficult for children under 8 years old. The park’s trail map offers brief descriptions of each trail, with a difficulty rating.
RED RIDGE TRAIL

WHERE: White Mountains National Forest, Conway, N.H.
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: This climb is difficult and arduous for adults and teens. I would not recommend for children younger than 8 unless they are experienced mountain hikers. The AMC White Mountain Guide offers a detailed description along with a terrain map.

The reward for a hike up Mount Megunticook in Camden Hills State Park was the 

enjoyment of a marvelous view while getting to bask in the spring sun. 

The Red Ridge Trail on the Moat Mountain Trail loop in the White Mountain National Forest included a great deal of rock hopping across several small streams and one large one.

Camden Hills State Park

Red Ridge Trail on Moat Mountain

Wendy Almeida can be contacted at:
wea@mainetoday.com
Twitter & Instagram: wea1021

Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram May 12, 2013.