This morning's hike was an easy jaunt for Tredhed and I as we headed out to Bellows Lake in the Shaker Mt. Wild Forest. We arrived at the Shutts Rd. parking area in the middle of a moderate snow squally and questioned the weather forecast of a sunny sky and light winds. However, soon after we started out, the sky began to clear, but the brisk wind was our companion for the rest of the hike.
The trail to Bellows Lake follows a well groomed snowmobile trail and the snowshoeing was superb. After crossing the barricade at the edge of state land (Photo 1), we quickly climbed a small hill though a nice hardwood forest (Photo 2) to the junction at Irving Pond (Photo 3). We noted that there were no milages given on the sigs at this junction. :confused:
A short way up the trail, we had a nice view of Irving Pond (Photo 4). The next mile passed very quickly as we enjoyed the level trail through a hemlock forest with occasional glimpses of Frie Flow. Soon, we approached Bellows Lake and left the snowmobile trail, following an old ski track to the edge of the ice.
We walked about 100yds on to the ice and had a great view of Shaker Mt (Photo 5). However, my Spidey Senses started tingling when we noticed soft ice in the middle of the lake. Quickly backtracking, we followed the snowmobile trail to the NE corner of the lake to explore some more. There, the ice was even sketchier. We decided to declare victory and call it a day. Sometimes the best part of a hike is knowing your limits and stopping short. In this case, not falling through the ice two miles into the woods.
The warm sun started to make the trail a little soft as we headed back to Shutts Rd, but we made great time. While this is a very busy snowmobile trail (main Rt. 8), we only saw two sleds today and they weren't an issue as we were exploring Bellows Lake as they passed by. Judging from the tracks and grooming, I suspect this trail gets a lot of use on the weekends. I'm glad we took some time off from our busy schedules to hike this one today.
The trail to Bellows Lake follows a well groomed snowmobile trail and the snowshoeing was superb. After crossing the barricade at the edge of state land (Photo 1), we quickly climbed a small hill though a nice hardwood forest (Photo 2) to the junction at Irving Pond (Photo 3). We noted that there were no milages given on the sigs at this junction. :confused:
A short way up the trail, we had a nice view of Irving Pond (Photo 4). The next mile passed very quickly as we enjoyed the level trail through a hemlock forest with occasional glimpses of Frie Flow. Soon, we approached Bellows Lake and left the snowmobile trail, following an old ski track to the edge of the ice.
We walked about 100yds on to the ice and had a great view of Shaker Mt (Photo 5). However, my Spidey Senses started tingling when we noticed soft ice in the middle of the lake. Quickly backtracking, we followed the snowmobile trail to the NE corner of the lake to explore some more. There, the ice was even sketchier. We decided to declare victory and call it a day. Sometimes the best part of a hike is knowing your limits and stopping short. In this case, not falling through the ice two miles into the woods.
The warm sun started to make the trail a little soft as we headed back to Shutts Rd, but we made great time. While this is a very busy snowmobile trail (main Rt. 8), we only saw two sleds today and they weren't an issue as we were exploring Bellows Lake as they passed by. Judging from the tracks and grooming, I suspect this trail gets a lot of use on the weekends. I'm glad we took some time off from our busy schedules to hike this one today.
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