Tuesday, May 11, 2021
The weather has been a challenge, or should I say an adventure, lately. It is so pleasant to see when forecasts of rain turn into sunny days. Looks like we get a good day for this Tuesday's ride.
I would like to share the Presidential Rail Trail with everyone now, before the leaves come out: "The Early Spring Ride on the PRT". It is a beautiful ride with the "Spring Foliage" beginning to show.. but not enough leaves out yet to block the view through the deciduous forest. The rivers, streams, waterfalls, beaver activity, ruins of the Madison Springs water bottling plant are all still visible from the trail. See this all now, before the green tunnel happens.
Let meet at 10:00 in Randolph at the Pinkham B road parking lot, where the rail trail crosses the road. A new porta potty has been installed there, between the fire station buildings and the trail, a collaboration between the Town of Gorham and the Cross NH Adventure Trail, Yay! It is the D-lux model: tp, sanitizer, mirror and cup holder!(?)
I have not driven to Randolph via Pinkham B Road's “dirt and "pavement" to know it if it is graded and OK to drive after any winter issues. If you aren’t sure it is best to avoid that route to the ride start. Instead, drive Route 16 north to Gorham, take a left a the stop sign, go through town and take a left on Route 2 at the traffic light. Go up the big hill and down the other side. Just after the hill flattens, Pinkham B Road will be on your left. Take the left and drive about 0.5 mile to the parking area on the right at the rail trail crossing near the Randolph town maintenance facility (NOT the hiker trailhead parking at about 0.2 mile from the intersection).
Bring snacks to enjoy with a view at the observation deck on Cherry Pond in the Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge.
The route will go out on the rail trail all the way to Pondicherry, then return using Meadows, Israel River and Valley Roads for the mountain views. We rejoin the rail trail at Jefferson Notch Road.
It is about a 40 minute drive from the stop lights in Glen.
Carpool? If you like, meet at the Jackson XC -Wentworth Golf Course parking lot, across from the J-Town Deli at 9:15, otherwise see you up there.
Distance is 27.5 miles. Rail Trail, so no hills! Gradual grades!
Shorten it to 25 miles: Park at the Appalachia Hikers Trailhead on Route 2 and join us as we ride by.
Shorten it to 19 miles: Park at the Bowman parking lot, also know as the Castle Trailhead (there is a brown hiker sign the entrance), off of Route 2 . It is the height of land of the rail trail and route 2, if you are traveling west and see the Bowman Inn on your right you have just passed it!. Join us a we ride by.
MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35988620
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