Brrrrr-For March?!

 Hardened soil and frozen water on the trails-where's my spring?

Visit #1415, Sunday 19 March 23, 7:35-9:35AM, 5.4 miles, 4.2 lbs. of litter.

Temps around freezing, sunny with a nasty, cold wind.

Okay; so we're a few days shy of the start of spring-how about at least A HINT of it?

When I arrived at the park the sun hadn't even shown its face and the wind was colder than the undertaker's smile. The parking lot was mostly empty, too.

Last week we experienced some quite windy days. This morning I thought inspecting the trails for wind damage would be wise so I hiked all the trails below Castle Craig. Fortunately the trails would require no clearing.

The brook feeding Mirror Lake was on a large dose of Flomax and running like it stole something.

I removed this tree from the trail back in February. Today I met a hiker walking his dog who asked if I did the deed then thanked me. That was nice.

The daffodils are starting to heed the call of spring.

Some daffodils are early risers.

Yeah, spring is a comin'!

Where Is Everyone?

 

A little winter weather and everyone stays home with their i-Whatever?! I say it's time for a hike.

Visit #1414, Saturday 11 March 23, 9:35-11:25AM, 4.9 miles, 2.9 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the 30s, precip tottering between light snow and drizzle, with a stiff, chill breeze.

Overnight forecasted snow/rain mix turned into nothing, but conditions continued throughout the morning.

I didn't bother to check the weather to see if clearing was in the forecast. I just guessed if the weather persisted then Hubbard Park would likely be devoid of hikers. Time to test my theory.

Properly dressed, I didn't mind the chill, drizzle, or the wind as I walked to and around Merimere Reservoir.

But as I began the climb up the road to the peaks I was surprised to see a change in conditions.

The higher I went, the more of a winterscape I got. This was cool, and beautiful.

Every once in a while the trees would drop a snowball on my head. And the storm was just beginning to move out of the area as you can see by the blue poking through the clouds.

As I returned to the parking lot conditions cleared and more sun shone through.

More snow/rain is forecast for Sunday night and Monday with a possible accumulation of an inch or so. Weather people are calling it a storm. I call it a hiking opportunity.

Round By The Corner

 As sung in the Yes song, Close to the Edge, we're "round by the corner" (of Spring).

Visit #1413, Sunday 5 March 23, 8:30-10:25AM, 4.7 miles, 2.2 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the high 30s/low 40s, sunny with a crisp north breeze.

Last week's snowstorm melted quickly leaving most of the lower trails clear of snow but a tad muddy.

The quick melting means we're rounding the corner and heading toward spring.

Trails to the Halfway House were mostly clear and relatively mud-free.

Up near Castle Craig I found Season of the Missing Glove 2022/23 #15.

The road to Castle Craig was dry as well; good news for the many walkers in Hubbard Park.

But as you can see, the road retained the heat to melt the snow while the ground was cooler, slowing the melt. Hitting the trail, it was snow all the way down.

I reached the end of the trail and wasn't thinking that I had to cross a raging brook feeding Merimere Reservoir snow melt. Only one foot got wet!

Heading back to the park, I picked up Season of the Missing Glove 2022/23, #16...

...and followed it up with Season of the Missing Glove 2022/23 #17,  the Mitten Edition.

No more corners; from here it's a straight line to Spring.

Our First Snowfall

 Well, if you could call this weekend's accumulation snow worthy of the name.

Visit #1412, Saturday 24 February 23, 2:00-3:50PM, 4.7 miles, no litter.

Temps in the low 20s with gray skies, light snow, and a chilly wind.

For the first time this winter season we actually had enough winter weather to deter all but the hardiest of outdoors people. I saw a few of them on Saturday's hike including a mixed group of eight who camped out overnight beyond West Peak. They and their dog were returning from their adventure as I was heading up to the radio towers.

Conditions were a tad slippery but manageable, even for a mountain bike, although I could tell from the serpentine tire tracks that traction meant following the path with the shallowest grade.

I found this combination doggy poop bag and light, likely dropped by the campers that passed by earlier.

It needs a USB-C charger which I don't have. I also don't have a dog so I don't have a need to illuminate any dog poop.

Hiking in the snow, even if it's just an inch or so, is still a quiet affair because like I said earlier only the hardiest of people venture out in the cold and snow; the rest are home staring at their screens.

Besides enjoying the solitude and the snow and not finding a piece of litter, I did find myself useful.

I found this hat. After I give it the Maytag Treatment, it's off to Goodwill.

Takin' Care o' Bidness

 

Have chainsaw, will travel.

Visit #1411, Saturday 18 February 23, 8:55-11:30AM, 4.7 miles, 1.1 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the 30s, sunny with a brisk, chilly breeze.

While it was chilly during load-up in the parking lot, within a couple minutes of hiking in the shelter of the trees, I warmed up quickly. Which was good, because while standing around in the parking lot I thought I was under-dressed.

I soon reached the fallen tree which I found last week on a trail on the south side of I-691. Thirty minutes later and the trail was reclaimed.

I hiked over the highway and picked up the Blue Trail toward Castle Craig. Unlike my less than optimal choice last week, good thing I had the chainsaw with me, for I encountered an unexpected fallen tree on this trail and was prepared to clear it.

You can see the Blue Trail marker on the tree in the center of the photo. The road to Castle Craig runs across the upper portion of the photo.

While taking a photo of Castle Craig, I found the remnants of a downed Chinese spy balloon, which you can see in the corner of the photo. The government has prohibited me from publishing more photos. 😉

Only two weeks ago, Merimere Reservoir had a layer of ice. Judging by the missing ice this week, I'd say warmer temps are on the way.

Come Along With Me

 Visit #1410, Saturday 11 February 23, 9:35-11:45AM, 4.2 miles, 7.2 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the high 30s, sunny with a sharp, cold breeze.

As mentioned last week, I discovered another fallen tree on the Green Trail down near Merimere Reservoir and this week I would remove it.

I decided to give my chainsaw a rest and instead used my comealong which was in need of some love; just in time for Valentine's Day!

This was a straightforward job.

Roughly ten minute's work, with no chainsaw noise or the maintenance afterwards.

Once back over on the trails on the other side of I-691, I veered toward the trail leading to West Main Street. Good thing I did; I found another tree needing comealong love. You can see the gate in the background.

Here's a result of that love.

At the little parking spot, I collected my Find of the Week.

This roughly 8 x 10 foot blue tarp has spent some years buried as determined by the difficulty with which I had removing it. Fortunately I was able to fold it compactly enough to fit in a large trash bag.

But in the "Wrong Tool For The Job" department, it seems I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT MY CHAINSAW TODAY. For, shortly after turning around and hiking a trail I seldom visit, I found a fallen tree which needs more than a comealong.

Which means next week will be a Power Tool Weekend®!

Until then...

What Mama Said

 I ain't no dummy-I listened to what mama said when she said to not go outside when it's so cold, like yesterday where wind chills put the temperature well below zero.

And you should listen to the recently deceased legendary guitarist Jeff Beck as he plays "What Mama Said".

While I would love to be able to play guitar like him, what I'd love even more is to HAVE HAIR LIKE HIS at his age, or any hair at all!

So I listened to what mama said and waited until Sunday to traipse along the trails in Hubbard Park.

I ran into another cool looking guy on the trail, Mr. Birch. (Yes; that's where I found dem glasses perched.)

I've been up to West Peak probably a hundred times, and this was the first time I've seen this marker.

I believe one point of the triangle is oriented north.

Back down at lower elevations and walking along the Red Trail, I found #8 in the series of Cat Graffiti markings, appearing since November 2016.

...and disappearing, too, with a little effort.

On the Green Trail, I've found another fallen tree, which I'm scheduled to remove next week.

Back at the parking lot to drop off my collected trash, I noticed the Meriden Parks Department has completed installing a sidewalk at the playscape. It replaced some "hopscotch"-like discs which might have been fun to play on but not practical.

On the way in to the park this morning I drove by the Face Rock and saw that it had been defiled.

Not a bad run since it was rehab'd in November 2021.

It just so happened I had a drill with a wire brush in my pocket (You DO carry a drill with a wire brush in your own pocket, don't you?) and with a few minutes work, I gave the Face Rock a facial and a rinse.

Now you go listen to what mama said and go for a hike, ya' hear?