grouseking
Well-known member
This weather pattern we are in right now is a bit fickle, but I saw that places east of Lebanon were clearing out today, so I figured we would get into some sunshine by at least the mid afternoon. So on a whim, I decided to bike up to Hanover and check out Balch Hill. Its about 950 ft tall and has a fairly open summit that has been cleared so views toward the west are really nice. There is even a map online, which I neglected to print out.
This isn't much of a trail report, since it only ended up being about a 1/3 of a mile hike, but I need to mention the ridiculously steep bike ride it took to get there. Apparantly, East Wheelock St has a 9 percent grade and I had to ride up that (well actually, I ended up walking most of it!) I was completely spent by the time I arrived and I quickly came to this conclusion: that was the hardest 7 mile bike ride of my life, from Lebanon to Hanover....too many hills! Looking at the map when I got home, I realized that there are other ways to get there, but they all climb some pretty significant hills...though prob not as steep as East Wheelock st! Despite the rough ride, within 15 min, I was at the summit and enjoying the view, which surprised me. So I guess all things balanced out! Here are a few snap shots.
The Awesome Maple Tree
Pretty View
More of the Tree
Looking up the Tree
One more of the view
On the way back, I headed a different way to check out Reservoir Rd only to find out that its still closed after the awful floods of 2006. They have filled a lot of it in and there were bikers and hikers on the road today. Looking at the small stream that parallels the road, it is amazing to think how it could cause severe damage. It must be one of those classic flash streams.
Ouch...
All in all, a great afternoon ride. The weather cleared when I thought it would clear so everything turned out perfect. I took a ride into Hanover for a bite to eat and some Ben and Jerrys (thank the lord for that place!) and then I was off, headed back to Leabanon, slowly, like the tortice.....
I guess I have become a better hiker then biker.....
grouseking
http://grouseking.phanfare.com/album/309183#imageID=18769459 rest of pics, enjoy
Forgot to mention, this is a GREAT place to take a date for a picnic....thoughts are formulating
This isn't much of a trail report, since it only ended up being about a 1/3 of a mile hike, but I need to mention the ridiculously steep bike ride it took to get there. Apparantly, East Wheelock St has a 9 percent grade and I had to ride up that (well actually, I ended up walking most of it!) I was completely spent by the time I arrived and I quickly came to this conclusion: that was the hardest 7 mile bike ride of my life, from Lebanon to Hanover....too many hills! Looking at the map when I got home, I realized that there are other ways to get there, but they all climb some pretty significant hills...though prob not as steep as East Wheelock st! Despite the rough ride, within 15 min, I was at the summit and enjoying the view, which surprised me. So I guess all things balanced out! Here are a few snap shots.
The Awesome Maple Tree
Pretty View
More of the Tree
Looking up the Tree
One more of the view
On the way back, I headed a different way to check out Reservoir Rd only to find out that its still closed after the awful floods of 2006. They have filled a lot of it in and there were bikers and hikers on the road today. Looking at the small stream that parallels the road, it is amazing to think how it could cause severe damage. It must be one of those classic flash streams.
Ouch...
All in all, a great afternoon ride. The weather cleared when I thought it would clear so everything turned out perfect. I took a ride into Hanover for a bite to eat and some Ben and Jerrys (thank the lord for that place!) and then I was off, headed back to Leabanon, slowly, like the tortice.....
I guess I have become a better hiker then biker.....grouseking
http://grouseking.phanfare.com/album/309183#imageID=18769459 rest of pics, enjoy
Forgot to mention, this is a GREAT place to take a date for a picnic....thoughts are formulating
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