Trip/Event Location: Hinsdale, NHUS
Trip Leader(s): Gandalf , JDNnh
Max # People: 25
Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money
Difficulty Level: Easy
As part of the GO Gathering, take a leisurely hike for swimming/sunbathing at Kilburn Pond in Pisgah State Park, a short drive from MountainSide!
In the heat of summer there's nothing more
We will meet at the MountainSide Campground Canteen at 1:00PM to arrange carpooling to the trailhead.
If you are NOT spending the weekend at MountainSide Campground, here is the address:
MountainSide 87 McDonald River Hinsdale, NH 03451
Use Google to map out driving directions. Enter your starting address and the campground address.
About 16 members attending the GO Gathering decided to join Jon and me on this .07 hike to Kilburn Pond at Pisgah State Park for a swim. We worked out the carpooling arrangements at the campground, drove to the trailhead about 15 minutes away and started our hike around 1:30 PM.
It was sunny, hot and humid, with temperatures most likely in the 80’s. Off we went following Kilburn Road.
We found a herd path that led us to a rocky ledge. Some of us wanted to go skinny dipping so we found a more private place nearby to launch ourselves into the water. It was easy to jump into the water from the ledge we were on, probably rising about 8 feet above the water.
The entire pond had about a dozen people scattered around various rock ledges. The water was refreshing but nothing as cold as ocean or river water. We spent a couple of hours sunbathing and jumping in the water.
Dan left his FOB in his shirt pocket and it somehow fell out into the water. Unfortunately it was deep, about 7 feet. Four of us dived down looking for the FOB but by the time we reached the bottom, we were out of breath and could not search the bottom for very long. The bottom was not solid. A soggy bottom of broken twigs and branches. With the FOB mixed in this debris, it was very difficult to find.
To make matters worse, Brian’s phone slid off the ledge and into the water. After searching for a half hour or more, we gave up.
The hike and swim was fabulous. It was certainly a highlight of this year’s GO Gathering!
~ Mike and Jon
Epilogue: On Sunday, Dan returned to Kilburn Pond using a mask and snorkel. He found his key! Unfortunately, we could not find Brian's phone. There was water in the key and the car was acting wonky when he stopped for breaks. It was raining hard when he got to New York so he got a motel for the night and dried the insides of the key with a blow dryer. The key is working fine now and he safely made it back to Harrisburg, PA.
Outdoor Fitness Level: Very Strenuous
Outdoor Fitness Level: Easy to Moderate
Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate
Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous
