I spent a couple of hours at Pawtuckaway State Park in Raymond yesterday, still waiting on southern New Hampshire’s first snowfall of the season. Great time for a visit! I came in the “back” way, via Reservation Road in Deerfield, parking at the Round Pond Trailhead alongside a couple of other vehicles. I had no company on my walk to Tower Road and the fire tower. I’d never been to the tower without finding dozens of other hikers there, and I rather liked having the view to myself.

I enjoyed the sunny December day, but there was too much haze for me to catch sight of the Boston skyline.

(Update: Pawtuckaway State Park’s popularity skyrocketed during the Covid pandemic, prompting the state of New Hampshire to institute a reservation system for parking and beach use. The system has outlived the pandemic. Especially on weekends and holidays, check the park’s website for reservation information.)