Rail Trail Re-visited on New Year's Day

"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."   ~ John Muir

I decided to start the New Year off right and planned a short hike on the Hop River Rail Trail for New Year’s Day!  After some deliberation the night before as to which section to do, I chose the Steeles Crossing to Bolton Notch section.  This is just a very short walk really and is a “rails to trails” trail so of course it’s very flat, wide and well groomed.  I did this section last year and I was looking forward to my reward at the notch; climbing up to the cliffs.

Here follows a very brief trip report.

I arrived at the trailhead at 7:00 AM.  My car was the second one in the lot and within seconds was followed by a third.  It was 31 degrees and plenty bright despite the fact that the sun had not officially risen.  There were no clouds in the sky and I was glad that there was also no wind.  I had layered properly on my upper body, as well as my head and hands, so my core was warm enough but I had failed to wear an insulating layer on my legs.  I knew I’d be ok if I kept up a brisk pace and I didn’t let this unfortunate oversight put a damper on my walk.  I was out on this trail that I love.  There was nowhere else on earth that I would rather have been at that moment.  Nothing could be better.

I started the 2.1 miles to the Notch at a brisk pace.  I was glad to be walking west because I prefer to see the sunrise on the objects that it lights up in the west as it rises in the east.  It starts with an orange glow on the tips of the trees in the distance and soon washes to yellow as the sun rises and creeps down the trunks of the trees.  I had 45 minutes to enjoy this awakening of the day.  I know I have mentioned this in other posts but I’ll say it again; I prefer to walk in the woods in autumn and winter (before the snows, although I enjoy the snow covered woods too) when the trees are bare and I can see deep into the woods.  There is something about seeing the trees and the forest floor that really speaks to me.  It is all so peaceful and so I too feel at peace.

Approaching the tunnel at the Notch now, the ice covered ledge rises high on either side of the trail.  As I stop to look at the trail behind me I am captivated by the droplets on the rock and trees that have caught the rays of the sun just so and are sparkling like diamonds.  I can’t see the sun because it is still low and the ledge is high around me.  I can tell that it is just over the top though and the rays are visible in the rising mist as the frost and ice turns to water and then vapor.  The sight has an ethereal quality and I stare for a moment to commit it to memory.  I know a picture won’t do it justice.  I’m thankful that I stopped to look behind me.  Sometimes it pays to know not only where we’re going but to also see where we’ve been.        

I’ve written about this stretch of trail before and so I’ll skip it now so as not to bore my readers to tears.  I’ll try to briefly conclude my trip report.

I soon found my way up the side trail to the top of the cliffs at the Notch.  I have posted a few pictures taken from my iphone that somewhat capture my view.  Look in the background of the cliff pictures and see the “Y.”  This is where Rte 6 & 44 split off to the right and route 384 begins here to the left.  On the other side of this cliff the American flag is painted and you can see it from route 384 heading east.  I did not get near the edge to verify this but I have seen it from the highway.  I also took a few pictures of the trail.  As you approach the Notch there is a significant increase in the number of birches which I have tried to capture in one of the pictures.

Once I was up on the cliffs I took my pack off and pulled out my water bottle.  I drank about 16 oz.  I also enjoyed a banana.  It was still fairly cold and I knew I couldn’t linger for too long as I didn’t want to risk getting a chill.  I think that perhaps next time I will drive straight to the trailhead right here at the Notch and climb this side trail to the cliffs.  I will spend my time up here, rather than walking on the trail, exploring these surroundings.  There appear to be quite a lot of laurel bushes up here and some paths leading to; I don’t know where.  I’d love to find out.  It’s really a beautiful spot.  I’ll bring my jetboil stove and make coffee next time too.

For me, this was the perfect way to start my year.  It was a total of 4.5 miles including the side trail up to the cliffs.  I was back to the car by 9:15 just as it was starting to warm up.  I should also say that I met 4 groups of people and a total of 4 dogs!  I do enjoy meeting people on the trail and I especially love meeting their dogs!