It was 2 degrees F when four humans and one dog started uphill around 8 AM Wednesday. But we sure warmed up quickly. It was not long before we stopped to shed a layer. We did the 5.2 mile loop counterclockwise, starting up along the logging road that parallels Shaker Brook from Route 4A.
When we finally reached Smith Pond it was crowded with Dartmouth faculty and students doing geology research.
You can read about what was going on in the photos below if you CLICK HERE.
After a break by the pond, we headed downhill. It was a beautiful winter day. The photo below shows Smith Pond Brook and the approach to Little Dog Falls from above.
Here is the mostly-frozen Little Dog Falls.
And here is the amazing bridge just below the falls.
It was steeper going down, but we survived fine.
At one spot we got a very nice view of Lake Mascoma and the Shaker Stone Machine Shop, which was constructed in 1849 and housed three stories of water power machinery.
On the way down we could see the canals the Shakers dug from Smith Pond, even though they were covered with snow.
You can see how this area looks in the spring without snow if you CLICK HERE.
Heading home, I found a pair of Bald Eagles along the shore of Lake Mascoma. You can see this pair sitting side-by-side if you CLICK HERE.