Two Small Hikes in the area of Randolph, NH

Even if added together, these two small hikes probably wouldn't qualify for a big hike!  Therefore, these little guys are being added to the collection of hikes in my "2 Small 2B Big" blog.

Part 1: Hike along the Brookbank Trail:

This small hike (about 1.5 miles round trip) occurred almost entirely in the area designated as the Snyder Brook Scenic area (see center portion of map shown below). 

Map showing area where this small hike occurred

The Snyder Brook Scenic Area is one of ten designated Scenic Areas within the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF).  The formal announcement of these special areas occurred during the celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of the Weeks Act, On Oct.6, 1961.   David Govatski has written a terrific article about these Scenic Areas which can be read at the WhiteMountainHistory.org website (click HERE).

I launched my trek from the Appalachia trailhead.  The Fallsway was hiked a short distance to the Presidential Rail Trail which was hiked eastward to pick up the Brookbank trail.  At the point where the Brookbank trail ends (just above Tama Fall), I had thoughts of doing a loop by crossing Snyder Brook and then heading southward on the Fallsway trail.  However, as I sort of suspected, the crossing was not doable (as least not for me) on this particular day.  And so, I turned around and descended via the same route as was used for my ascent.

Shown below are two photos.  The first one shows the crossing of Snyder Brook at end of the Brookbank trail (just above Tama Fall).  And the second photo shows where you might end up if you slip and fall while trying to negotiate the brook crossing!!

Crossing of Snyder Brook at end of Brookbank trail (just above Tama Fall)

Where you might end up if you slip and fall while trying to negotiate the brook crossing!

This is a great little hike at any season of the year.  On this winter trek, I particularly enjoyed the scenic beauty of Gordon Fall and Tama Fall which were all decked out in their winter garb.

In addition to the splendor of  the waterfalls, I was fascinated by seeing the handiwork of what I presume to be a Pileated Woodpecker who had pecked two huge holes into a tree.

The handiwork of what I presume to be a Pileated Woodpecker

Part 2:  Hike from end of Jimtown Road to Peboamauk Fall

This small hike (about 2.4 miles round trip) was done on public land in what is known as the Paul T. Doherty Memorial Forest.  My goals for this small adventure were as follows.  I wanted to determine if this area was accessible during wintertime conditions. And if so, then I wanted to discover if it was possible to do a winter hike along a pathway that I had explored during this past summer. (Especially since it appeared to have possibilities as a launch point for off-trail explorations and/or for XC-skiing.)

My trek was launched from the end of Jimtown Road.  Shown on the map presented below is an approximation of the route that I followed.  The corridor used for this hike might have been what was once called the Bog Dam Trail which is described in older versions of the White Mountain Guide.   However, I'm uncertain if that is true.  Perhaps a reader can confirm or refute this.

Map showing area where this small hike occurred, and a general idea of the route taken

Upon arrival at the end of Jimtown Road, I was delighted to discover that the town had plowed out a spot for wintertime parking.  This plowed spot is less than a tenth of a mile from the point where the unnamed trail begins from the edge of a parking lot that's available for summertime use.

Plowed roadside parking at edge of Paul T. Doherty Memorial Forest on Jimtown Road

When I explored this trail during the summer, a few rather large boggy areas were encountered.  As one might suspect, wintertime is definitely the preferred time for travel on this trail when Mother Nature hardens these boggy areas with ice and covers them with snow!

Although this pathway is unmarked with blazing or signage, it is easy to follow at any season of the year.  It appears to receive some light maintenance (perhaps by local residents of this area).

Typical segment of the corridor for the unmarked/unnamed trail

Along the way, there is ample evidence that this was once an official trail of some sort.  There is one prominent bridge, as shown in the next photo.

Bridge along the unmarked/unnamed trail

This unmarked/unnamed trail ends at the junction of the Ice Gulch Path and Peboamauk Loop.  Shown below is the first trail sign you see.

First trail sign seen when you come to end of the unmarked/unnamed trail

At this junction, I took the Peboamauk Loop down to Peboamauk Fall.  Unlike the two waterfalls seen at the Snyder Brook Scenic Area, this one was a bit lackluster.  It was mostly frozen, plus this waterfall is prone to fallen trees marring its view.  This summer, Peboamauk Fall looked the best I'd ever seen it.  But a mishmash of trees have once again have invaded this space.  Shown below is my summertime view versus what I experienced on my winter hike.

Peboamauk Fall: Comparing view of Summer 2012 to Winter 2013

Just as a side note to this small adventure, I was quite surprised when I met another hiker while traveling this unmarked/unnamed trail.  He was very cordial and even provided some ideas for other adventures in the Paul T. Doherty Memorial Forest.

Almost the end:

In addition to enjoying these two small adventures, I also experienced a nice sunset while driving home. But, in keeping with the spirit of "smallness", the brilliant colors of this sunset didn't last long!

Sunset seen while driving home

 THE END.