12/31/22
Day Eighty-Six

Today I did an out and back completing all of the trails within the Pondicherry Wildlife Area. I have done all of these trails before, and once again, they did not disappoint. I really love this area not only because of how well maintained the trails are (kudos to the Cohos Trail Association) but also because there are some really nice views of the northern presidentials from the trail. I love the Little Cherry Pond Trail area as well. This small loop is lined with old growth forest (and new) and the whole time I was hiking I was just waiting for a moose to pop out onto the trail (this area is prime moose territory, in my opinion). Although I didn’t see a moose, I was happy to spend the entire day sans traction and with the exception of a small stretch of the Colonel Whipple Trail, this area is snow and ice free.

Daily Miles: 10.90

Daily Vert: 288’

Overall Miles: 929.40

Overall Vert: 267,800’

Trace: 40.3% -> 40.7%

Trails:

Pondicherry Rail Trail

Waumbek Junction

Rampart Path

Colonel Whipple Trail

Little Cherry Pond Trail

Shore Path