Denmark Mountain Hikers

Hike Report – Shepard’s Farm – November 21

Fourteen Denmark Mountain Hikers gathered at the Half Witt trailhead on Pleasant Street that leads into the backside of the Shepard’s Farm Preserve.

The main entrance to the preserve is on Crockett Ridge Road in Norway.

The main attraction in the preserve is the Bernard Langlais wooden sculptures that dot the meadow just off the main parking area at the trailhead. Rather than park at the main lot as we have in the past, we chose to begin our hike on the Witt Swamp side of the preserve and hike the nearly two miles to the main trailhead so that our enjoyment of the sculptures came at the midpoint of our hike where we could take a lunch and snack break.

Hiking today were Jeff Sturgis, Jacob Schor with Ruby and Piper, Susan Sedita, Toni Carros, Steve Kelly, Jean Murch, Greg Dean, Dale and Kitty Nelson, Geneva Barker, Rhonda Poliquin, Phil Johnson, Robin Marciello and Sandy Bell.

It was partly sunny and cold (upper 20’s) when we hit the trail. After a short distance the trail becomes an extensive  boardwalk that traverses the swamp for almost a half mile.

The ground was about 50% covered by the previous week’s light snow and there were a few icy spots on the boardwalk the caused us to be careful with our footing. It’s almost time to bring out the micro spikes! 

Upon exiting the swamp we turned left onto the Witt End Trail and headed towards the field with the sculptures.

About three quarters of the way we turned onto a loop that lead onto a field and ended up intersecting with the Desert Loop where the sculptures are located. We arrived at the loop around 10:15 am and enjoyed viewing the sculptures.

We stopped at the kiosk near the Crocket Ridge Road parking lot for a break and snacks after covering a little less than two miles.

At 10:30 we took our mid-hike picture and, after walking the sculpture loop a second time, headed down the lower Shepard’s Trail which transitions into the Witt End Trail that goes back towards the swamp. The trail meanders through a mixed forest that had been partially logged out in recent years. At 11:25 am we arrived at the junction with the Half Witt Trail.

Here we divided into two groups. Six of us decided to take the shorter path back over the boardwalk to our vehicles while eight of us decided to take the nearly two mile loop around the northern end of the swamp back to our vehicles. As the sun came out intermittently, the smaller group again enjoyed the beautiful craftsmanship of the boardwalk and reached the trailhead at 11:45 am. Wishing each other a “Happy Thanksgiving,” we  hopped in our cars and headed home.

The larger group followed the Witts End Trail around the swamp for nearly two miles. Their hike was mostly uneventful with minor ups and downs, and a lovely walk in the woods over a meticulously maintained trail representing many hours of labor. The short boardwalks were quite icy reminding us to pack traction devices with us for future hikes. They got back to their vehicles at 12:10 pm and departed also wishing each other a Happy Thanksgiving before heading tier separate ways

Next Hike

November 28 – No hike, enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend.

December 5 – Moderate – Mount Willard (2,800 ft.) Crawford Notch, NH.  3.2 mi RT, 900-foot elevation gain.  RT hiking 2.3. hours.  RT driving 3.0 hours. 

More Info on Mt Willard is here.

NOTE; Carrying microspikes is now in order. Especially at higher altitudes, micropikes are necessary for hiking on winter trails. Depending on snowfall, snowshoes may also be needed.