Chapter Three, Hays Brook Truck Trail

The dogs' paws had begun to hurt because of the snow, and my ankles were becoming quite painful (I later learned that I'd injured some tendons). So I decided to turn back toward the trail head:

I continued to marvel at the forest's beauty as we proceeded down the trail:

I stopped to admire the Balsam needles all covered with snow:

And the golden clumps of Beech leaves, still clinging to their branches and holding snowy orbs aloft:

The dogs began to run as they realized we were headed back to the car:

We crossed back over the Osgood River:

Seamus' paws were bothering him by then so I picked one up for a look. Well, it was no wonder they hurt. The snow was packed in between the pads:

But the dogs were happy, and so was I:

We continued along beneath the pines:

Clover looked back, much as Madeline had done earlier, to make sure we were still coming:

We hit the access road again, though it didn't look much different than the trail. But the dogs knew where we were and were very excited:

We trotted back to our parked car. We hadn't made it to Hays Brook, but it had been an excellent experience and we can try it again this summer:

Chapter Two, Hays Brook Truck Trail

It wasn't far to the bridge over the Osgood River and it soon appeared ahead of us, all covered with snow:

The river itself was not large, but it sure was breathtaking:

The dogs crossed the bridge ahead of me and Madeline once again looked back to see why I was so darn slow. Madeline watches my every move and you may notice her watchful gaze in many of my photos:

The trail split into three shortly after the bridge, and we took the middle road:

Debar Wild Forest was a splendid sight:

With towering pines filtering the sunlight, blue sky overhead:

I told Fergus, Madeline and Clover to sit so I could get their picture:

And then we continued onward, admiring the beauty:

Even Seamus seemed to be admiring the beauty:

The ski track trail became narrower and the walking more difficult:

And the trail took an uphill turn:

Little Madeline began stopping to pull the snow out from between the pads on her feet, I had to decide whether to go on or to turn back. But I'll post about that tomorrow:

Chapter One, Hays Brook Truck Trail

It was midday Monday up at the farm and I'd already toured Brasher Iron Works (see previous posts) and done my shopping in Massena.  There was still time for a hike and the weather was beautiful. So I drove south to the parking area for the Hays Brook horse trail and was surprised to find that in spite of the snow cover, quite a few other people had the same idea:

But there were four trails to choose from and a huge expanse of Debar Mountain Wild Forest in which to hike. I chose the Hays Brook Truck Trail, let the dogs out and headed down the road to the trail head:  

The road itself was quite beautiful although the snow was deep and the walking difficult. But the dogs were ecstatic and we forged onward:

We arrived at the trail head for three of the four trails and noted that Hays Brook, our destination was only 3 miles. Well, I thought, 3 miles each way might turn out to be quite a lot if the snow made for difficult walking. But there was nothing for it but to get started and then decide:

The cross country skiers had made a nice indentation in the snow and I kept inside of that. The dogs did also, at least most of the time:

It was sunny, the scenery beautiful and all was right with the world:

Madeline looked back to see what was taking the rest of us so long:

Seamus went ahead while the other four were stuck at some fascinating smell:

We proceeded through a forest of Red and White Pines, exquisitely beautiful with their frosting of snow:

And the youngsters ran ahead, then back, then ahead, then back. Oh, to have such energy!:

I was just happy to be out in nature again and especially so on such a clear, bright day:

I knew that the Osgood River was just ahead, but I'll post about that tomorrow: