The Upper Valley Land Trust held their annual snowshoe hike into Bear Pond in Canaan Saturday, perhaps the 13th annual. It was a beautiful winter day, sunny and relatively warm. We did an almost 5 mile hike. I did not count, but I believe we had just short of two dozen fairly fast human walkers plus three dogs.
After a hike along the private part of Hall Road, we donned snowshoes and headed along the Horseshoe Pond Trail into the over 900 acres of the Bear Pond Natural Area. Our first stop was, naturally, Horseshoe Pond.
We paused briefly, and I took some photos.
We cut over to the Sweet Water Trail where Paul was lying in wait with a camera. So I shot a burst while I kept walking past.
After almost 4 miles our main goal, Bear Pond, came into view through the trees.
We rested on the pond for quite a while. I made some multi-shot panoramas.
While the group hydrated and had some snacks, I photographed, of course. Here are a few I like. I think that simple images are often very strong.
Eventually we headed across the pond into the sun.
At the far end of the pond, Jason Bernard spoke briefly before leading us on a bushwhack back to Hall Road for some hot chocolate.
If you would like to see photos from the shorter hike to Bear Pond 10 years ago, you can CLICK HERE.