Hike Reviews
July 11, 2018
A hot day for me and my dog!
If I were alone, it would have been fine, but the "easy" rating made me think it would be a little smoother (my own mistaken interpretation). I brought my senior dog with me who used to go hiking with me all the time but in the past year pulled his back leg a few times. I figured that if there were a few sketchy areas I would just carry him, but I wound up carrying him quite a bit! Some of the rocky areas by the lake were challenging, even if he wasn't favoring the leg.
It took us about 3 hours to make it back to the car. I took frequent water breaks for my dog... and a few for myself! You really work up a sweat carrying a 21 pound dog up a rocky mountain trail in 80 degree weather!
The directions were so clear (as others have mentioned - make sure you know how to read trail blazes. It's a simple google search, one I did before my first "real" hike and the best decision you could make). The ONE time I got a little mixed up was on the way back, when you are supposed to follow the white blazes (N trail) that is parallel to the orange/yellow blazes which are closer to the pond. I couldn't find the white ones, so I followed the orange until they met up and I looked backward to see that I had missed some of the (easier) white trail. Further ahead some kind soul had put up brand new plastic white blazes with a black N written on them to guide us back to the car. Some areas were very overgrown and hard to find trail markers. No water in the stream or mine opening in mid July!
The old mine opening and view of the pond and everything were really great. Bring lunch, there is a big flat area after you pass the lake where you can have a picnic with a great view and lots of shade and cool breeze.
September 04, 2016
across the road
<p>Did this hike today, a nice trail and some good sites. Ran into hikers that stayed in the parking lot trail. This trail is across the street of the parking lot. I see where the other hiker made her mistake. I followed other hikers and realized they were going elsewhere. overall nice and quick.</p>
November 11, 2014
Directions are great. I'm a ditz.
<p>Nice hike, great directions. I made the mistake of thinking I had already turned right onto the white Nurian trail after the lake and went left downhill. BIG MISTAKE. I don't know why I kept going, but I said to myself, there is no way this is an easy hike. Scrambling down boulders, etc. Finally I realized I was being stupid and turned around only to realize how far downhill I had ventured. Hiking back up was really hard for me as I'm out of shape and had my two chihuahuas with me but it was manageable. </p>
<p>Anyway, since I knew where I made my mistake finding my way back was easy and finding the right path was fine. </p>
<p>Lesson....if you start to think you're going in the wrong direction, stop and think instead of plowing ahead like you know where you're going! :)</p>
October 13, 2014
Perfect for first-timers
<p>My wife and I live in NYC and are both around 50. Our fitness habits have, in all honesty, been confined to walking to and from the bus to head to work. It doesn't help that living in NYC it is utterly impossible to get any peace and quiet at all - none. Nor is there anyplace close enough to which we can walk or bike. So we are either to be shut-ins for the rest of our lives or we have to drive somewhere to get the quiet we desperately crave. Hiking seemed a great way to restore both our inner peace and our fitness.</p>
<p>We chose this trail as our first hiking experience and it was absolutely perfect for several reasons. One, it taught us that the proper equipment, while minimal, isn't optional if you're going to take a hike, no matter how short. Having a good pair of hiking boots is of the utmost importance. I did, but my wife didn't and her feet suffered somewhat towards the end of the trail. Second, bring food and water with you, no matter how short the route. We didn't, and although we didn't suffer as a result, the hike would have been more enjoyable if we had been able to stop for lunch. Fortunately, it was a cool fall day and neither of us found ourselves perspiring and wishing for a drink. Finally, spend a minute learning to read the trail signs, lest you begin scratching your head the minute you encounter the first marker and wonder whether to go left, right or straight ahead - or go back to the car and head home.</p>
<p>It would be presumptuous of me as a neophyte to offer further tips on what is or what isn't important in hiking. So I'll leave my advice at that and just say that if you are a first-timer, keep them in mind.</p>
<p>We thoroughly enjoyed this hike and are absolutely certain it will become our new hobby. For the out-of-shape, it offers just enough of a challenge to make you feel that you're getting some excercise (you are) while at the same time not discouraging you with terrain that is beyond your capacity. It is picturescque, at all times, and especially so walking down Island Pond Road, around Green Pond and near the beginning, which is so lushly green with moss in spots that it seems as if you've stepped into a Lord of The Rings film.</p>
<p>The route took us 3'53", but only because we weren't paying close attention to the trail markers and had to backtrack several times.</p>
<p>In the end, we left feeling tired but mentally refreshed. And that is precisely what we set out to achieve.</p>
<p>Much thanks to those who maintain these trails.</p>
<p> <img src="/sites/default/files/u22566/IMG_0156.jpg" alt="" height="600" width="800"><img src="/sites/default/files/u22566/IMG_0169.jpg" alt="" height="600" width="800"></p>
May 23, 2012
Me & the dogs
<p>So serenely beautiful, this hike. I love a hike that takes you over a stream, through a hemlock woods, down to a pond, around its rooty and rocky edges. This hike has it all and isn't taxing or strenuous. Even the woods roads -- not a feature I usually like -- were lovely and interesting. High bush blueberries at the top of the hill where yellow meets the white trail -- they should be plentiful in the summertime. Also, the unmarked woods road out and back to the parking lot is full of blueberry bushes on both sides! Mind the bears.</p>
March 19, 2012
Great hike
<p>This was my first hike after a long hiatus and was perfect for getting back into hiking shape. We took one brief wrong turn early on (getting back into hiking shape includes remembering how to follow directions) but easily got back on track. I like how the hike remains relatively easy until you're about 2/3rds of the way through then it progresses to moderate with a few brief scrambles and ascents after you pass around the lake. I loved the variety in landscape which made the hike run a bit longer than we had planned because we kept stopping to take it all in and admire the views. We also renamed the unmarked Island Pond Road the "Road to Narnia" since we jokingly expected a centaur to come galloping down the road! Thanks for posting this hike!</p>