Bouldering in Dedham

I accompanied my kids today as they went bouldering with friends in Dedham.   

Joost Preserve (Verona Island)

Earlier this year, the Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust acquired the 25 acre Joost Preserve on Verona Island overlooking the Eastern Channel of the Penobscot River.   Viv and I hiked the preserve's 0.8 mile loop trail this morning.  The trail winds through an oak and pine forest and past meadows, with multiple viewpoints of the river.  

Stockton Harbor Park and Fort Point State Park (Stockton Springs)

Viv and I spent the morning in Stockton Springs, first at Stockton Harbor Park and then at Fort Point State Park. 

Pilings at Stockton Harbor

Stockton Harbor Park

The Cliffs at Fort Point State Park

Quoddy Head State Park and Rocky Lake Public Lands (Washington County)

Viv and I spent the day together before she heads back to college, visiting Quoddy Head State Park and Rocky Lake Public Lands.

We started the day at Quoddy Head, hiking the Coastal Trail to High Ledge and returning via the Inland Trail.  We hiked 1.6 miles which included a brief trip down to the beach. 

Our next stop was the Patrick Lake section of Rocky Lake Public Reserve Land.  This day use area features a short (0.3 miles one way) trail leading to a picnic table on the shore of Patrick Lake.  

We finished our day scouting the campgrounds around Rocky Lake in preparation for a future trip.  

Carter Meadows Trail (Sunkhaze National Wildlife Refuge)

I took off from work today to do some last minute shopping and spend time with Viv.   We went for a 3 mile hike at the Sunkhaze National Wildlife Refuge, hiking out to the observation platform at Carter's Meadow.

Snow at Papermill Park (Hampden)

We had our first significant snow of the year today so stayed local and visited Papermill Park in Hampden.   The small town park offers great views of Souadabscook Stream as it flows over waterfalls and down rapids.  

Patten Stream Preserve (Surry)

I was not expecting much from Patten Stream Preserve as it is only 41 acres.  I was pleasantly surprised, however, at the preserve's beauty.  

Patten Stream Preserve was created in 2008 and is managed by the Blue Hill Heritage Trust.  The 1.5 mile double loop trail system travels through a forest and adjacent to Patten Stream.  The stream itself is the highlight here, and descends through a series of rapids adjacent to the trail.  On the second loop, there are three wooden bridges crossing over the stream.  

I made a YouTube video (here) of the hike since I don't think the photos adequately capture the experience.  

Bradbury Mountain State Park (Pownal)

Friends and I hiked a 1.3 mile loop on Bradbury Mountain this morning, ascending the Summit Trail and descending on the Northern Loop and Ski Trails.