Since the weather is on the up and up Alexa and I decided it would be a good day for a hike! We realize many of our more mountainous jaunts are still covered with snow and ice this time of year.  We decided to stay close and go to a NH State Park in our very own back yard!  Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown, NH.  With just over 10,000 acres to explore…we were up for a nice walk in the woods.

Coming down Deerfield Road I was surprised how much snow is on the ground…we don’t have much in the big city of Manch-vegas.

We started out on the snowmobile trails (One Mile Trail) just behind the toll booth and went on from there.

Then we turned onto Sentinel Pine Trail which was narrower and a bit steeper.

When we crossed over the Catamount Trail (one of the more popular trails), we got to have fresh tracks on the snow!!  It was neat looking out for wildlife and their tracks as well.

As we went on, we caught a sight of a hawk looking for prey

There was also a small group of Chickadees who didn’t want to hang out too long for a photo-op, but just long enough!

Then we meandered down to Hayes Marsh to take some time to enjoy the open water and the sounds of the woods…and the sunshine!!

Then we carefully made our way the Carr Ridge Trail to head on back. The snow had started melting and lost traction which revealed some nasty, solid ice underneath.  It was super slippery.

Then cautiously transitioned to Bear Brook Trail, along the Bear Brook that was still covered in snow.  The sound of the rushing brook was beautiful!

We meandered back to the parking lot. It was amazing by 2:00pm how much snow had melted to reveal water on ice, not the best hiking terrain, but it was beautiful!!

It was nice to take in the small details of our walk and leave everything else behind (at least for these 3 hours). Ahhhh, nature.