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East Pond Hike

By Mike Boisvert.

Linda and her partner, Rick and I got together for a trip to East Pond. This hike traveled along an old railroad path, so it intrigued us. By the time we traveled the 19 miles across the Kancamagus Highway from ‘touristy’ Lincoln, NH, we were ready for some solitude.

It was a beautiful day in the heart of winter at a balmy 13 degrees. The trail was icy beneath the snow so we wore either Yak Tracks or crampons. The beginning of the trip takes you on an old logging railroad spur with small spruce trees lining each side. Real charming.

There was hardly any elevation gain at this point. The trail follows Pine Brook. After 0.8 miles we crossed the frozen Pine Brook. We had not seen anyone and had the forest all to ourselves.

We continued on our way to East Pond. After two miles we crossed Cheney Brook and we began a steady ascent. The trail was marked with yellow blazes, and being a logging road, was easy to follow.

About 2.8 miles onto the East Pond Trail, we reached the height-of-land, in a beautiful area of open woods. After a few minutes of rest (which you won't really need), we began a moderate 500-foot descent to the pond. However we had to duck, climb over, and get around about two dozen of small spruce trees that fell across the trail. We could see East Pond below. An early winter ice storm caused massive blowdowns and we saw evidence of trail crews trying to clear the mess. I saw tracks of snowshoe hares in the snow; that was the only sign of life on this trip. We had yet to see another human since leaving the Kancamagus Highway, and we were happy as pigs in shit . . . well, we were happy.

After 0.8 miles of dealing with blowdowns, we reached East Pond. East Pond covers 6.5 acres. It was completely frozen over. We walked on the ice towards the center of the pond for a unique perspective. This is a very tranquil place that resembles many small, high lakes, which nestle among ridges and mountains surrounding more impressive and famous peaks. I read that the water is cool and clear; it reaches depths of as much as 27 feet and provides shelter for speckled trout, which seem inclined to stay there.

We had lunch in the woods beside the pond and before long, the cold wind told us it was time to walk back. We headed back to the trail and ran into a couple at the height-of-land. We ran into a group of three crossing Pine Brook on cross-country skis. Everyone was friendly.

Our whole trip from beginning to end took 5 ½ hours, and didn't tax us too much. The absence of peaks to climb and the steady ascent makes this is an ideal beginner’s winter hike. If a moderate winter hike to a remote pond is what you're after with few people, I recommend this one highly.

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