Thompson Falls, 10:00 am
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Thompson Falls is an out-of-the-way scenic little spot just north of the Smoky Quartz Mineral Site which is located in the woods north of Passaconaway Road. If you have hiked or biked on the Marshall Property, the area is to the west of this conservation site and is part of the National Forest.
For your "Fun Facts to Know and Tell" list, Smoky Quartz in the state gem of New Hampshire.
Rob Henney will be the Ride Host, thank you Rob! We tried to do this ride a few weeks ago, but no one was able to join Rob. We are setting this ride up again, it is a good ride, worth a second try!
Meet at 10:00 am, ready to ride, at the parking lot at the old vacant IGA in Conway Village, the State Liquor Store Plaza. It is the lot next to Rockingham Electric Supply.
The ride will head out over the covered bridge, turn right and head to Passaconaway Road to Hill Street, a dirt road that leads eventually to the parking area for the trail to the Smokey Quartz Mineral Collecting Site. Depending on how much single track and walk-bike you want to do, you can opt either for the Mineral Site Trail or head down Forest Road 379. You will then ditch the bikes in the woods and walk the short trail to Thompson Falls (bikes not allowed in this section). On the way back you can opt to head out via the golf course and Hales Location back to West Side Road, or go back on the dirt roads, or ride out the Marshall Property's easier trails (we did this option last year, it was great) back to West Side Road. Lots of options here!
BRING WALKING OR HIKING SHOES and bring a lock for the bikes if you have one. I think a mountain bike is a good choice, hybrid next best choice. Skinny tires are NOT a good plan for this ride.
There will be only about 13 miles of biking and about 0.5 miles of hiking depending on the route choice. The forest is beautiful in this area, shaded by tall trees. If you have not been in there, it will be worth the effort!!
Remember that a hike is required, so wear shoes that can bike and hike, or bring walking shoes to change into for the walk to the falls.
Info on the adventure: https://www.conwaydailysun.com/outdoors/the-mysterious-thompson-falls/article_2c298d77-aa51-50cd-bc2f-080290ea7ddb.html
Map as far as I can plot it into the woods, out and back requiring more single track to ride or walk-bike.: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28338240
This map has the return by West Side Road: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28510342
So what's the big deal with Smokey Quartz?? Here you go: https://www.energymuse.com/smoky-quartz-meaning
From witchipedia.com (not a typo) http://www.witchipedia.com/mineral:smoky-quartz
For the other side of the brain: http://www.quartzpage.de/smoky.html
What does it look like? http://www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com/jhbnyc/mineralmuseum/gallery2.php?init=&loc=New+Hampshire
From an article in NH Magazine:
"What do these minerals look like in the field at a site like the Moat Mountain mineral site?
It is common to find smoky quartz crystals that are perfectly formed, shiny and smooth to the touch. Scan the ground and look for something dark and shiny. There is a good chance that you will find a smoky quartz that someone overlooked. Pick up and observe the rocks in the area. Even novice collectors should have no problem finding crystals. Do you see any small, dark pyramid-shaped crystals in the rock? If so, you have found a smoky quartz crystal."
Thompson Falls is an out-of-the-way scenic little spot just north of the Smoky Quartz Mineral Site which is located in the woods north of Passaconaway Road. If you have hiked or biked on the Marshall Property, the area is to the west of this conservation site and is part of the National Forest.
For your "Fun Facts to Know and Tell" list, Smoky Quartz in the state gem of New Hampshire.
Rob Henney will be the Ride Host, thank you Rob! We tried to do this ride a few weeks ago, but no one was able to join Rob. We are setting this ride up again, it is a good ride, worth a second try!
Meet at 10:00 am, ready to ride, at the parking lot at the old vacant IGA in Conway Village, the State Liquor Store Plaza. It is the lot next to Rockingham Electric Supply.
The ride will head out over the covered bridge, turn right and head to Passaconaway Road to Hill Street, a dirt road that leads eventually to the parking area for the trail to the Smokey Quartz Mineral Collecting Site. Depending on how much single track and walk-bike you want to do, you can opt either for the Mineral Site Trail or head down Forest Road 379. You will then ditch the bikes in the woods and walk the short trail to Thompson Falls (bikes not allowed in this section). On the way back you can opt to head out via the golf course and Hales Location back to West Side Road, or go back on the dirt roads, or ride out the Marshall Property's easier trails (we did this option last year, it was great) back to West Side Road. Lots of options here!
BRING WALKING OR HIKING SHOES and bring a lock for the bikes if you have one. I think a mountain bike is a good choice, hybrid next best choice. Skinny tires are NOT a good plan for this ride.
There will be only about 13 miles of biking and about 0.5 miles of hiking depending on the route choice. The forest is beautiful in this area, shaded by tall trees. If you have not been in there, it will be worth the effort!!
Remember that a hike is required, so wear shoes that can bike and hike, or bring walking shoes to change into for the walk to the falls.
Info on the adventure: https://www.conwaydailysun.com/outdoors/the-mysterious-thompson-falls/article_2c298d77-aa51-50cd-bc2f-080290ea7ddb.html
Map as far as I can plot it into the woods, out and back requiring more single track to ride or walk-bike.: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28338240
This map has the return by West Side Road: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28510342
So what's the big deal with Smokey Quartz?? Here you go: https://www.energymuse.com/smoky-quartz-meaning
From witchipedia.com (not a typo) http://www.witchipedia.com/mineral:smoky-quartz
For the other side of the brain: http://www.quartzpage.de/smoky.html
What does it look like? http://www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com/jhbnyc/mineralmuseum/gallery2.php?init=&loc=New+Hampshire
From an article in NH Magazine:
"What do these minerals look like in the field at a site like the Moat Mountain mineral site?
It is common to find smoky quartz crystals that are perfectly formed, shiny and smooth to the touch. Scan the ground and look for something dark and shiny. There is a good chance that you will find a smoky quartz that someone overlooked. Pick up and observe the rocks in the area. Even novice collectors should have no problem finding crystals. Do you see any small, dark pyramid-shaped crystals in the rock? If so, you have found a smoky quartz crystal."
Comments
Post a Comment