Quarry Trail Lake Nockamixon State Park

It was a beautiful day for a hike at Lake Nockamixon. We returned to the Quarry Trail with the Just Add Nature group so Daddy could try to identify the chestnut tree we found as an American or Chinese. The lake was still frozen and there was still enough ice in spots for some fun and a few spills and tears. A was the youngest on the hike and got lots of help from the adults in the group who helped keep her on track.

Everyone enjoyed the view from the peak of the hill which looks down to the lake. I even heard mention of a picnic sometime when the weather warms up. The boys got ahead of the rest of the group and when A and I finally caught up we found they had passed a turn in the trail and ventured out onto a peninsula of sorts. All the little ones were quietly listening to the pinging and popping of the ice as it expanded and contracted in the morning sun. I have fond (and sometimes scary) memories of that sound having spent a large portion of my childhood living beside a small pond where we frequently ice skated during the winter.

We finally convinced the big and small boys that they needed to turn around and go back or they would miss the chestnut tree. Once we found it, Daddy took some time to study it and decided that he thinks it is an American chestnut. This tree was BIG so this is a very rare specimen if it is. I have yet to send off an email to the park or the American Chestnut Foundation to verify. We'll return in the spring to check on it again when it has leaves so we can be absolutely certain. Daddy explained to most of the children and adults why this is such a special discovery. And why the research being done by the American Chestnut Foundation with the cooperation of Penn State is so important.

We decided to continue on around the loop instead of turning back. However, everyone agreed that this trail is very hard to navigate and confuses even those with a great sense of direction near the end. This was also a very popular location for hunters (it was the last day of the special regulation area extended season for deer) so if you venture out during hunting season please be careful.

Our next group hike will be February 20 at 10 a.m. at a location to be determined. Get outdoors!

Exploratory Hike - Quarry Trail - Nockamixon State Park

Z, A, and I visited the Quarry Trail at Lake Nockamixon today. We tried the trail earlier in the summer but it wasn't mowed and looked like a haven for deer ticks so we decided to pass. However, I wish we had revisited the trail later in the summer or fall. There was a glorious view of the still frozen lake from atop the hill. Z stumbled on some chestnuts that Daddy hasn't been able to verify as American or Chinese so we will be returning for our January group hike on the 23rd. And of course there was just enough snow to make Z and A happy!

The trail is wide and well marked to start but near the end we had a hard time figuring out which way to go and ended up turning around several times. It winds through some areas with red cedars and tall grasses and works its way into the woods along Route 563. At one point there is a steep cliff overlooking the lake with a great view of the bridge on 563. The wooded part of the trail was narrower but lovely. We did run into a hunter and saw several tree stands so be sure to don your blaze orange when hiking there.

At several points I noticed signs of what used to be residences or other structures on this land. There seemed to a driveway and there were several stone structures. However, Z was thrilled by the troll or elf house we found in this tree.

And we did get one glimpse of color in the mostly gray and white landscape. This bright orange fungus in some of the remaining snow.

Exploratory Hike - Sterner's Mill Trail - Nockamixon State Park

Unfortunately, we had to cancel our December hike due to extreme windchill temperatures on Saturday but today Z, A, and I headed out to the Sterner Mill Trail at Nockamixon State Park to hunt for Jack Frost and King Winter. As a Winter Solstice gift this year the children received 'Ollie's Ski Trip' by Elsa Beskow and 'The Story of the Snow Children' by Sibylle Von Olfers. Z was so enthralled by 'Ollie's Ski Trip' that he decided we had to go for a hike to search for these two mystical beings.We had a wonderful hike. It warmed up just enough for us to enjoy ourselves in a winter wonderland. All the animals must still be bedded down after the storm but we did hear quite a few birds and spotted snow fleas everywhere. I thought maybe the dogs who had hiked the trail before us had left these little guys behind but there were far too many. But when I told daddy about the little critters he said, 'Oh yeah, snow fleas.' Who knew?!

Z was enchanted by the sound that the trees made blowing in the wind. Sometimes it was eery and he would run to catch up with me but other times he stood in awe looking up at the treetops as they blew around in the wind. He was very inquisitive and wondered why the trees make that noise in the winter but not at other times. A on the other hand was fascinated by the birds. All I heard over my shoulder was, 'I see burd, I see burd.'

I was hoping to return to Nockamixon next week to check out the sledding hill but the weather forecast for later this week doesn't look very promising. We'll see what Christmas Day has in store for us snow, rain, or ice. Get outdoors and enjoy the winter!

Oh and in case you were wondering, we didn't find Jack Frost or King Winter but Z and A are ready to visit another forest to look for both of them sometime soon!

Exploratory Hike - Sterner's Mill Trail - Nockamixon State Park

Since fall was on hold for a few days we decided to join our friends E, A, and their mommy at Nockamixon State Park for a jaunt around the Sterner's Mill Trail. This is the only trail in the park that is strictly for hikers - no horses - but hunting is permitted in the area so be sure to wear your orange if you go during hunting season.

I love the way this trail winds through the woods and over a very quaint little bridge (that the children love to play on of course) down to the lake. Once you reach the lake which is the perfect place to rest and snack, the trail continues along the lake for a short while and then pops you into this awesome hemlock forest. It reminds me of the woods in Norway and trolls. The first time Z and I hiked the trail we looked all over for trolls but didn't find any!

It was a lovely day and the children enjoyed themselves. Our two youngest hikers enjoyed riding and even walked themselves for some of this hike. While many of the leaves were just starting to change there was plenty of color to keep us in awe.

I think the children would tell you the best part of this hike is the abandoned picnic pavilion at the end. They all ran around for nearly an hour playing under the pavilion. It was a stage, a field, and so much more.

Old Mill Trail at Nockamixon State Park

We had another soggy hike at Nockamixon State Park today. We ventured onto a small loop which is part of the Old Mill Trail. It didn’t rain while we were out hiking but there was plenty of mud to keep everyone happy and sufficiently coated (at least our feet) in goopy thick mud. We did have a chance to clean our feet as the children frolicked in the small stream just below the large stone wall which used to be part of one of the many grist mills that were found in the area.

Unfortunately and surprisingly, we didn’t encounter any interesting wildlife. What we have been running into a lot this summer though is fungus and mushrooms. At least all this rain is making something grow. This neat orange mushroom, which might have been an edible chanterelle, was one of the many that we encountered including some really bright red ones.

Our next group hike will be at French Creek State Park on Saturday, September 19. For those who are interested, some of us are camping on Saturday night. We have made reservations on the A loop. We would love for you to join us if you are able. French Creek has wonderful hiking trails in mature forests with a lot of native vegetation and wildlife. It would be wonderful if you could join us.

Check back to see where the next month takes us on our Tuesday Exploratory Hikes and let me know if you might like to join us.

Exploratory Tuesday Hike - Old Mill Trail - Nockamicon State Park

The children and I returned to the Old Mill Trail at Nockamixon State Park to see if the poison ivy and fallen tree had been cleared from the trail. While the tree is still there the poison was moved aside so we will be inviting our friends from Just Add Nature to join us there on Saturday, August 22 at 10 a.m.

The cicadas serenaded us during most of our hike along this trail which winds through some woods and beside a creek that appears to have once been part of an old mill (thus the name). Near the edge of the creek we ran into this guy. He promptly retreated back into the creek when I showed Z and A how he could pull his head and legs into his shell. A shrieked with delight as he hurried back down the bank. Who says turtles can't move fast? The creek seems to be one of the many that feed into Lake Nockamixon.

We also crossed through a meadow area with many native wildflowers blooming along its edges. There were some very tall thistle which were covered with bumble bees and butterflies.There were also a few black-eyed susans, a lot of goldenrod, and one very lovely plant that I have yet to identify.

This is definitely a keeper. It took us just over an hour to hike the whole loop and there was plenty to keep Z and A interested while we hiked. Remember to take your bug lotion if you go since there are also plenty of mosquitoes.