Looking at the weather report last night, I decided I had to head out into the woods today. I didn't have much time and needed a short walk close to home. It also had to have a lot of interesting features. Eagle Pond in the Wilcox Lake Wild Forest fit the bill nicely.
Arriving early at the Rt. 8 trailhead, I quickly shouldered my pack and headed up the unmarked path. The path climbs steeply for the first third of a mile, but is well maintained.
Attachment 20094
After climbing around 300', the first beaver meadow is a good distraction and a great place to explore the old dam, creek and meadow. The spider webs were magical in the early morning fog.
Attachment 20095
The path is still easy to follow for another .4 miles as it climbs another 100' to the second beaver meadow. This feature was dry the last time I was here and it looks like the beavers are back at it.
Attachment 20096
This is where the path gets a little sketchy. Once I was finished exploring the beaver pond, I tried to find the path again for the final push to Eagle Pond. I may have been on it for a few minutes, but it was quickly lost due to heavy brush and steep terrain. No matter, I could hear the outlet stream on my right and knew I was coming to one of the highlights of the walk; the Boulder Rock designated campsite. The boulder is massive (the size of a two story house) and I wonder if the bouldering crowd had found it yet? Looks like fun.
Attachment 20103
While exploring the boulder, I remember what a wise man told me, "Every once in while, look up".
Attachment 20098
After basking in the majesty of the Boulder Rock, I made the final push to Eagle Pond. Remembering to come in high and stay away from the marshy shoreline until the last minute, I hit the designated campsite right on the money.
Attachment 20099
The leaky old boat is still there and no, I didn't take it out for a spin. I stayed at the pond for about an hour basking in the sun and watching a very large beaver check me out from across the pond. As a bonus, several large flocks of geese were noisily winging their way south.
Attachment 20100
I was starting to get a little hungry, so I knew it was time to set out for the ledges; my lunch spot for today. Setting the appropriate compass heading and trying to stay on course required vigilance, but I soon arrived at the ledges on Harrington Mt. The views were intense.
Due west were the Blue Hills
Attachment 20101
To the north was Black Mt.
Attachment 20102
Between Black and Blue was County Line Mt. rising up from the heart of the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area.
Attachment 20104
The view certainly made my sandwich taste better, but soon it was time to move on down the hill. Again, setting up the proper compass heading, I carefully picked my way down the steep hillside intersecting the path near the first beaver meadow. Then it was just a hop, skip and a jump back down to Rt. 8. Every year, I try to get into the woods at peak foliage. This year, I think I nailed it.
Arriving early at the Rt. 8 trailhead, I quickly shouldered my pack and headed up the unmarked path. The path climbs steeply for the first third of a mile, but is well maintained.
Attachment 20094
After climbing around 300', the first beaver meadow is a good distraction and a great place to explore the old dam, creek and meadow. The spider webs were magical in the early morning fog.
Attachment 20095
The path is still easy to follow for another .4 miles as it climbs another 100' to the second beaver meadow. This feature was dry the last time I was here and it looks like the beavers are back at it.
Attachment 20096
This is where the path gets a little sketchy. Once I was finished exploring the beaver pond, I tried to find the path again for the final push to Eagle Pond. I may have been on it for a few minutes, but it was quickly lost due to heavy brush and steep terrain. No matter, I could hear the outlet stream on my right and knew I was coming to one of the highlights of the walk; the Boulder Rock designated campsite. The boulder is massive (the size of a two story house) and I wonder if the bouldering crowd had found it yet? Looks like fun.
Attachment 20103
While exploring the boulder, I remember what a wise man told me, "Every once in while, look up".
Attachment 20098
After basking in the majesty of the Boulder Rock, I made the final push to Eagle Pond. Remembering to come in high and stay away from the marshy shoreline until the last minute, I hit the designated campsite right on the money.
Attachment 20099
The leaky old boat is still there and no, I didn't take it out for a spin. I stayed at the pond for about an hour basking in the sun and watching a very large beaver check me out from across the pond. As a bonus, several large flocks of geese were noisily winging their way south.
Attachment 20100
I was starting to get a little hungry, so I knew it was time to set out for the ledges; my lunch spot for today. Setting the appropriate compass heading and trying to stay on course required vigilance, but I soon arrived at the ledges on Harrington Mt. The views were intense.
Due west were the Blue Hills
Attachment 20101
To the north was Black Mt.
Attachment 20102
Between Black and Blue was County Line Mt. rising up from the heart of the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area.
Attachment 20104
The view certainly made my sandwich taste better, but soon it was time to move on down the hill. Again, setting up the proper compass heading, I carefully picked my way down the steep hillside intersecting the path near the first beaver meadow. Then it was just a hop, skip and a jump back down to Rt. 8. Every year, I try to get into the woods at peak foliage. This year, I think I nailed it.
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