The Devil Made Me Do It (with apologies to Flip Wilson)

[J&J]

Today we had a fun little hike to the Devil's Hopyard in Stark, NH. For a short but sweet hike it had lots of entertainment. There is a small stream that flows out of the hopyard but is mostly out of sight beneath moss-covered boulders. The stream can be heard, but not seen. The footing was very slippery in spots so use caution while hiking here.

The boulder strewn path.

The entire trail only picks up 250 feet of elevation but it's a tough and slow 250 feet.

Great ledges in the ravine.

More boulders.

A stretch of ledge.

More ledge.

Marsh Blue Violet

A nice overhang.

End of the trail.

More ledges.

Clasping Twisted Stalk

False Hellebore.

To be continued.............

 

[J&J]

A Winter Wren.

Winter Wrens have one of the best songs in the woods.

A very young American Toad.

Rose Twisted Stalk berries.

ShinLeaf Pyrola.

A Yellow Bellied Sapsucker had drilled these holes in the distant past.

A fun and most entertaining day in the woods.

 

[freighttrain48]

Excellent photos especially the wren!

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

Wonderful photos and trip report. The side benefits of redlining, eh?

 

[ksearl]

Great photos and trip report! What's the actual hiking distance of the trail? It certainly does look like a tough 250' vertical gain.

Thanks for sharing,
Karl

 

[grouseking]

Looks like a sweet walk filled with lots of natural wonder...and it looks slippery as well. Nice pics!