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This is an easy but rocky trail that leads to a beautiful secluded pond.


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Map Key

1.0

Miles

1.6

KM

96%

Runnable

1,293' 394 m

High

1,162' 354 m

Low

139' 42 m

Up

53' 16 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

15%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · Lake · Views · Wildlife

Please park ONLY in the parking lot near the sign for "Trout Pond Forest". Do NOT park by the driveways where the maintained dirt road turns into a jeep road. We parked near the power pole next to the driveway on the right and the owner of that house asked us not to park there again. It should be posted "No Parking" but is not.

Description

To find the trailhead, use GPS to find "Hardscrabble Lane" in Lyme, NH. You'll drive down the dirt road past houses/driveways. At the last set of driveways, the road will turn from a maintained dirt road into an unmaintained jeep road/doubletrack. Small sedans may have issues with this road due to emerging boulders. Keep going about 0.25 miles and there will be a parking lot/clearing with a blue sign that says "Trout Pond Forest". Park here and continue down the jeep road about 100 paces.

The trail to Trout Pond will fit the bill if you are looking for an hour or two of solitude. The approximately one mile trail leads you through forests in between Demmick Hill to the south and an unnamed ridge to the north. The trail will be on your right after the parking area, marked by a 4ft wide boulder with "Trout Pond" painted on it. After passing the boulder and a boggy section with ferns, the trail becomes obvious (in summer). There are some muddy areas but no water crossings. It is mostly shaded, traveling through beautiful, quiet, wooded areas. It is an easy trail with little change in elevation, but the footing has lots of roots and small to medium rocks in places, making it a bit more difficult than it might seem. Toward the end of the trail, when you can see the pond through the trees, there is an area with lots of small boulders and the trail seems to disappear. Look for a small orange metal trail marker on a tree straight across the boulders. Other than a few more of these markers, the trail is not officially marked, but is easy to follow (in non-snow conditions).

Once you reach the rocky shore, be sure to admire the views. Smarts Mountain looms large to the east, making this a scenic stop.

Flora & Fauna

One runner followed bobcat tracks in the winter of 2015. Other tracks that have been seen include moose, deer, and fox.

Contacts

Land Manager: Upper Valley Land Trust

Shared By:

Emmie S

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 1 vote

#2502

Overall
  5.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#61

in New Hampshire

#2,502

Overall
2 Views Last Month
791 Since Jul 23, 2017
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

At the end of the trail is beautiful Trout Pond. Perfect place for a picnic.
Jul 23, 2017 near Lyme To…, NH
Following bobcat tracks to the pond.  I wonder if I was being watched!!
Mar 21, 2016 near Lyme To…, NH
Entrance to the trail, about 100 paces from the parking area, on the right.  Not obvious unless you know what you're looking for.
Jul 23, 2017 near Lyme To…, NH
Smarts Mtn from Trout Pond 3/16/15
Mar 21, 2016 near Lyme To…, NH
Sign that indicates where the parking area is.
Jul 23, 2017 near Lyme To…, NH

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