DESCRIPTION:
Hike length: 4 to 5.5 miles
Elevation gain: about 340 feet
For the average hiker, this hike is easy/moderate.
In the 1930's, the Civilian Conservation Corps built two log shelters in Bear Brook State Park. If you went on my Bear Brook hike last year, you saw the well known Smith Pond Shelter. A similar, but much lesser known shelter was built in a different part of the park, but over the years it fell into disuse, and at this point in time there is no longer any discernible trail leading to it, so there will be some minor bushwhacking involved.
YOUR MISSION, should you decide to accept it, is to rediscover this lost gem. ("This web page will self-destruct in 10 seconds")
The first part of the hike will involve easy walking on roads and trails, with the last half mile leading up to the shelter, being an easy off-trail bushwhack past a large beaver pond. Once we depart from the Lost Shelter, we'll either retrace our route back to the cars, or follow a trail past Bear Hill Pond, depending on time constraints.
There is a park entrance fee of $4.00 for Bear Brook SP. You can pay at the toll booth shortly before you get to Hayes Field (they only accept cash) or you can purchase your pass online if you prefer. NH residents 65 and older get free admission.
Please, NO GUESTS. If you want to bring a guest, they need to sign up for the hike through Meetup.com.
BACKUP DATE: If bad weather is predicted the night before, I will change the date to May 7. Decision will be made the day before the hike.
Pack for spring conditions, including:
- Layers
- Rain jacket/poncho
- 2 liters of water or Gatorade
- Pack a lunch and trail snacks such as granola or energy bars
This hike is in support of the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, NH's air & space museum. No donation is required to participate in this event, but a donation of any amount that you are comfortable with is greatly appreciated. You can donate using the "donate" button on the Life's a Hike meetup page, or by bringing a check made out to "McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center" to the event.
Life’s a Hike Group Disclaimer
As a condition of your voluntary participation in this activity you acknowledge and agree to the following that this activity involves inherent risks that can cause property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death to participants and/or other's; you assume all risks associated with this activity with this activity involves, you are responsible for having the necessary knowledge, skill, abilities, clothing and equipment to safely participate in this activity, you will know and follow the hike safe responsibility code. (Http://www.hikesafe.com) the organizer(s) of this activity are volunteers, and you release, hold harmless and indemnity the organizer (s) and all members of this group from any and all claim's for property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death-including those by negligence and/or other reasons.
Directions to parking lot in Bear Brook State Park from I-93 North or South:
Take exit 11 (this is the exit right at the Hooksett tolls. Don’t go through the high speed EZ-Pass lanes - stay all the way to the right and exit before you get to the toll booths)
After you pass through the ramp toll booth, you will see the Hooksett Park & Ride straight ahead. Take an immediate L on Hackett Hill Road and drive .2 mile to the “T” at Rt. 3A
Turn L on 3A (W. River Rd.) and drive .6 mile
Turn R at the lights onto Main St. and drive .8 mile. (Main St. becomes College Park Drive)
Turn L on Rt. 28 / Rt. 3 and drive 2.5 miles
Turn R at lights onto Rt. 28 North, and drive 3.0 miles (You’ll see the sign for Bear Brook SP
Turn R onto Deerfield Rd. And drive 3.1 miles
Turn R onto Podunk Rd. Drive .2 miles and stop at the toll booth. This is where you will pay the $4 park entrance fee (they only take cash here) and obtain a parking pass. If you already purchased your park pass online, you can show it to them here.
Continue driving straight ahead. In .7 miles you will pass the Hayes Field parking lot. (We're not meeting there, but it is your last chance to use an outhouse before you get to our meeting place.)
Drive an additional .9 miles and pull into the small parking lot on your left, just after you pass the Spruce Pond Road. This lot can hold about 8 - 10 cars, but it is usually empty.
