Nancy Pond Trail questions

[dentonfabrics]

Walked the Nancy Pond Trail today and came back with a couple of questions that someone here probably has the answers to.

About 3 miles in, just off the trail, there's a rusted out "thing" there. It looks to me like it might be a gondola (the ski thing, not like the boats in Venice). It's egg-shaped and has a grated cage over half of it. I wonder if there was a chair lift along the trail at one time? Or maybe it's something used for logging?

Another question; at the .8 mile mark, there's the pile of rocks painted red and blue (along with a couple of trees painted too - looks kind of freakish) marking the WMNF boundry. And there's a sign on one of the trees pointing to "THE INN". Curious type that I am, I followed the herd path down to the river (among many trees marked with colored strips - again, looked kind of freakish) and noticed that the path continued on the other side. But at that point, I had had enough for the day and retraced my steps back to the trail and my truck.

I wonder where this trail goes and what "THE INN" is? Is it a nice Inn? Do the rooms get NESN? There's nothing on the map or in the Guide about it. Anyone know?


Bob

 

[Amicus]

And there's a sign on one of the trees pointing to "THE INN". Curious type that I am, I followed the herd path down to the river (among many trees marked with colored strips - again, looked kind of freakish) and noticed that the path continued on the other side. But at that point, I had had enough for the day and retraced my steps back to the trail and my truck.

I wonder where this trail goes and what "THE INN" is? Is it a nice Inn? Do the rooms get NESN? There's nothing on the map or in the Guide about it. Anyone know?

That's the Notchland Inn, which is very nice, at least to look at. I've never stayed there so don't know about NESN, but I'm sure they can afford it. I've heard they have a good restaurant, but don't know about its suitability for redolent hikers (but that's another thread).

 

[David Metsky]

The Notchland Inn has a 10 person wood fired hot tub. It's a very nice place.

-dave-

 

[Hillwalker]

Donkey Engine (hee haw)

The "egg shaped thing" with the screening is the spark arrestor part of the smokestack for the old steam donkey engine that was used to winch logs down from the heights. On the opposite side of the trail is the brick firebox and supports for the boiler. If you poke through the weeds by the spark arrestor you will find lots of old wire rope (cable) that was discarded when the engine was abandoned and stripped at the end of its use. My most exciting find in many years of wandering in the Whites was the intact horse drawn drag scoop used to construct mountainside logging sled roads. It's located just off the Downs Brook trail about half way up to the Sleeper Trail intersection. I have lots of other finds, but since they are bushwhacks, no information is divulged.

As far as the "freakish" red paint. The USFS seems to go overboard when marking their boundaries. Hmmm, then they obliterate blazes.......

 

[RoySwkr]

The original Nancy Pond Trail went up a road near the inn (which was called The Inn Unique in days past). The first part of the trail was moved to provide parking and avoid private residences but I believe it to still be a public r-o-w that you can hike if you wish.