The forecast said I might have five hours of nice weather before a big winter storm hit the Upper Valley so I left my condo just after sunrise. I’d noticed parking for a trail in the Smith Pond Shaker Forest that was located just off Exit 15 on I-89 (near Montcalm Golf Club) - started my hike there (0715). From that moment until I was done, I never saw any people at all - perfect solitude. Temps were in the low 30s and there were occasional snow flurries but I felt comfortable in only two layers. The signage, blazes and trail conditions (including bridges) within the Upper Valley Land Trust boundaries were very good - it was clear that someone makes a lot of effort to maintain them. I walked all the way to Smith Pond and then took a circuit along the water’s edge that included the dam. The trail circled back to a junction spot where I could choose to walk to NH-4A or return to my car. I chose a compromise and detoured towards Little Dog Falls - that was a good decision! After enjoying the pretty cascades, I started walking back to the Interstate. On the way, I noticed that I could walk on another trail to Half Mile Pond, which was located in Henry Laramie WMA. This 1.6 mile spur took me to the top of a big rise (Smith Pond Mountain?) with great views of all the southern Whites from Moose Mountain to Moosilauke. A rocky point on the other side of the hill offered a spectacular vista of Mount Cardigan in the distance and Smith Pond below - wow! I continued to the end of the trail and enjoyed another pond view (note to self: there were canoes, with paddles, there). Backtracked to my car via the gravel road (since the weather continued to deteriorate), reaching the parking lot just after 1015. I talked to Mollie on my way back to town and then did some grocery shopping in West Lebanon (got home by 1100). Logging six miles (with several good climbs included) in “Fall” weather was a great way to start my weekend. Truthfully, though, I’m hoping the that rest of 2021 is full of snow sports!
