1HappyHiker
Well-known member
There was a sunny sky yesterday (05-July). Perhaps that’s noteworthy all by itself! To take advantage of this glorious event, I decided to do a bushwhack that’s been on my list for awhile. Where I went is a bit difficult to describe, but basically the destination was to a small ledge nearly 2 miles WNW from Peaked Hill Pond (Thornton, NH).
As a launch-point for this bushwhack, I used the Peaked Hill Pond Trail. Since this trail is predominately on WMNF land, I was amazed that I had to step off the trail several times to allow passage of groups of folks on ATVs who were also en route to the pond.
I spoke with the Pemi Ranger District’s Law Enforcement Officer this morning about this incident, and followed up my conversation with an e-mail. As I sort of anticipated, I was told that since this trail begins on private land, it complicates erection of effective ATV barricades at the trailhead. Also, before any fines can be levied, the violators must be caught in the act. And understandably, the WMNF simply doesn’t have the staff to monitor this trail on a full-time basis. However, I’ve been assured that the Forest Service is going to investigate and will take some type of action to hopefully prevent further use of this trail by ATVs.
But anyway, other than the ATV incident, it was a nice hike to Peaked Hill Pond. I’d never been there before, and the pond is very picturesque.
After snapping a few photos of the pond, I hiked back down the trail for a short distance to a point where I began my nearly 4 mile round-trip bushwhack to the ledge WNW of Peaked Hill Pond (see white arrow at top of GoogleEarth image below).
The trek itself was pretty easy since it was through open hardwoods, but there were patches of annoying hobble-bush at various points along the way. But hey . . . it’s a bushwhack after all! As I could tell from looking at GoogleEarth before the hike, the ledge itself isn’t all that large or extensive.
However, despite its smallish size, the ledge provides some BIG views. There are very nice easterly views of various mountains in the Sandwich Range, as well as northeasterly views toward the Osceolas and mountaintops in the eastern portion of the Pemigewasset Wilderness area.
So overall, this was a very satisfying hike. I got to see Peaked Hill Pond for the very first time, and I was able to visit a remote ledge with some great views. And oh yes, I got to share a WMNF trail with ATVs . . . yet another unique experience!
1HappyHiker
As a launch-point for this bushwhack, I used the Peaked Hill Pond Trail. Since this trail is predominately on WMNF land, I was amazed that I had to step off the trail several times to allow passage of groups of folks on ATVs who were also en route to the pond.
I spoke with the Pemi Ranger District’s Law Enforcement Officer this morning about this incident, and followed up my conversation with an e-mail. As I sort of anticipated, I was told that since this trail begins on private land, it complicates erection of effective ATV barricades at the trailhead. Also, before any fines can be levied, the violators must be caught in the act. And understandably, the WMNF simply doesn’t have the staff to monitor this trail on a full-time basis. However, I’ve been assured that the Forest Service is going to investigate and will take some type of action to hopefully prevent further use of this trail by ATVs.
But anyway, other than the ATV incident, it was a nice hike to Peaked Hill Pond. I’d never been there before, and the pond is very picturesque.
After snapping a few photos of the pond, I hiked back down the trail for a short distance to a point where I began my nearly 4 mile round-trip bushwhack to the ledge WNW of Peaked Hill Pond (see white arrow at top of GoogleEarth image below).
The trek itself was pretty easy since it was through open hardwoods, but there were patches of annoying hobble-bush at various points along the way. But hey . . . it’s a bushwhack after all! As I could tell from looking at GoogleEarth before the hike, the ledge itself isn’t all that large or extensive.
However, despite its smallish size, the ledge provides some BIG views. There are very nice easterly views of various mountains in the Sandwich Range, as well as northeasterly views toward the Osceolas and mountaintops in the eastern portion of the Pemigewasset Wilderness area.
So overall, this was a very satisfying hike. I got to see Peaked Hill Pond for the very first time, and I was able to visit a remote ledge with some great views. And oh yes, I got to share a WMNF trail with ATVs . . . yet another unique experience!
1HappyHiker
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