Still cold but sunny so we headed to the park for a real hike. We started from the parking area at the end of Hadlock Pond Rd. and walked along the pond to the trail head.
The first part of the trail up is pretty woods and then becomes more open with ledge and small trees. On the way up we met a nice couple from northern Maine and that made Kelley happy.
Looking west
This is start of the way down via the Goat Trail ( looking east) . I don't much care for it and couldn't remember if Kelley had ever done it but wanted to do a loop. It was a mistake as the trail was much too difficult for Kelley- very steep and rocky with places she couldn't work around and needed be to lift her.
We did make it safely down and then took the Lower Norumbega Trail over to the Hadlock Ponds Trail. This bridge leads across the stream to the trail that goes around the other side of the pond. There was a pretty spot next to it to stop for lunch.
We then continued on the trail back to our car
One last dip
A pretty good hike in spite of the treacherous descent on the Goat Trail. 2 3/4 hours
John, too bad about the Goat Trail for Kelley. Have you both explored the myriad of VIA trails below Lower Hadlock Pond and the golf course? Or the trails around/over Elliot Mountain?
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting Chris- yes we have done those and most other trails in the park. If we want to do a loop with Norumbega, there is an abandoned trail called ' Brown Mtn. Trail ' that goes from the top of the Goat down to the road and then take the trails by the ponds- here is a link to that hike
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