We’ve had cold weather and several beautiful snowfalls, in the past two weeks, so it was time to get outside. Tim and I headed up the Appalachian Trail, northbound from Goose Pond Road here in Lyme. Our target was a viewpoint on Holts Ledge, just past the top of the hill and just before reaching the top of Dartmouth Skiway.
there is a faint sign of prior hikers’ tracks under the newest snowfall.
The trail was unbroken, with about 4-6″ of fresh powder on top of an older pair of tracks. Whenever I left the trailbed, I could tell the surrounding forest had about about 12-15″ of snow. There was no breeze, and intermittent sunshine, as we climbed mostly through hardwood forest with broad views into the forest and – often – beyond to the surrounding valley.
We followed the tracks of a lone coyote – or gray fox, I’m not sure – who seemed to find the trail a convenient pathway to his destination as well. The trail was often crossed by deer tracks, and in several places we could see where the deer had pawed through the snow into the leaf litter below, looking for beechnuts or oak acorns.
From the viewpoint we enjoyed expansive views of the surrounding ponds and hills of Lyme, Enfield, and Canaan. Not a bad day to be out, indeed.
Hike stats:
Distance: 4.18 miles (6.73km)
Time: 2h52
Gain: 1,312 feet (400m)
David Kotz 
Lovely! It’s supposed to hit 90F in Hobart in a couple of days, so some of that snow sounds appealing. I’ve never had luck with snowshoes, probably because I’ve never tried it in the right conditions. Always end up on some icy or rocky trail where it’s easier to just carry the shoes and trek in boots.