Since I discovered the NH Rail Trail Challenge (walking/biking all of the 40+ rail trails), I have been looking on the map for new trails. Between the towns of Newport and Claremont, there is a great bike/OHRV route that follows (and crosses) the Sugar River. Since I'd had a great hike yesterday and didn't want to "overdo it", I decided to check it out. After Mass in Lebanon (0800), I took I-89 to NH-10 and continued south to Newport. I then used NH-103 to reach backroads on south side of the Sugar River. Google Maps took me to a place that wasn't there (the trail was on the opposite side of the river) but I managed to find another trail crossing of the dirt road. I parked (0930) near one of the covered train bridges (at the midpoint) and walked east. I found a better parking area when I reached the bridge for NH-103 (on the western edge of Newport) and then backtracked to the car. It was such a nice day that I decided to walk west as far as I could. There were lots of bikers and four wheelers on the trail but I was alone for much of the day. The bugs were pretty thick whenever the trail got farther way from the river - otherwise, it was breezy and pleasant. Best part of the day - lots of shade! I turned around at the edge of Claremont and walked back to the car again (arrived at around 1130). Some local people I met along the way said that I had just missed the western terminus (and parking lot), so I took the dirt road to NH-103 and drove west until I found the other trailhead (much better marked). I then hiked the rest of the Rail Trail (about 0.25 miles and back) before leaving the area (1245). Total mileage was just over seven miles in 2.5 hours. Wanted to go kayaking but clouds indicated a storm was coming. I took NH-103 into Claremont and then got on NH-120, which I used to get all the way home (arrived just after 1330). Happy to have so many places to go for exercise and tranquility!
