Author: Ellen Kolb

Winter arrives on the NRRT

/ Ellen Kolb / 2 Comments

The calendar says winter is a few days away, and late fall has been happy to provide a preview. I visited the Nashua River Rail Trail on a quiet weekday morning to take advantage of a just-above-freezing day. I wanted to beat the messy forecast: rain, followed by plummeting temps and a resulting flash-freeze.

I strapped cleats onto my shoes just to be on the safe side, since icy patches can lurk in a path’s shaded areas. The powder snow that fell earlier in the month was packed down nicely in an informal lane for walkers. There were traces of ski tracks alongside, but I think those must have been made when the snow was fresher.

I was on the northernmost segment of the trail, in Nashua. I was pleased to see that the city has kept the Gilson Road parking lot plowed. Many tracks in the snow between parking area and trail attest to the NRRT’s continuing popularity.

artwork displayed alongside a snowy trail in Nashua, NH
Along the Nashua River Rail Trail: “The Shapes of Water” by Faith T., a student at Nashua High School South. Ellen Kolb photo.

The art displays along the way between Gilson Road and the Rt. 111-A crossing featured pieces by students at Nashua High School South. Some of the display stands were showing signs of wear, and I hope the city will maintain them. The artwork is a meaningful way for Nashua to put its stamp on its section of the NRRT.

A bird’s nest was in the middle of the trail, perched atop the snow. A gust of wind probably took it down from a nearby tree. I picked it up thinking that it was edged with snow, but I was mistaken – all the white fuzz was from downy feathers. I moved the nest the edge of the trail, not wanting to damage it even if its former occupants were done with it.

Feathers, not snow, adorn this nest. Ellen Kolb photo.

The painted markings on the old granite B&M railway mileage marker have weathered away. W 40, I thought to myself as I walked past it. Forty miles south to Worcester along the old rail line.

Granite post along a snow-covered rail trail
This granite post is a mileage marker, which once had “W 40” painted on it (40 miles to Worcester, Massachusetts). Ellen Kolb photo.

The twelve-mile long NRRT has several parking areas along the way. Trail users in Nashua can park by the trail on Gilson Road, NH Rt. 111-A, or Groton Road/Hollis Street (at the NH/MA state line).

You can help send the Granite State Walker to the next trailhead with a small donation at her Buy Me a Coffee page. Thank you!

“Open eyes and sturdy shoes”

/ Ellen Kolb

“Today, you hike… I go because I want to and also because I can. I go because life doesn’t end once you’ve done enough. It keeps unfolding. And I intend to meet it with open eyes and sturdy shoes.”

That’s from the Blissful Hiker podcast by Alison Young. After my recent journeys recounted on this blog, her message resonates with me. I heartily recommend this nine-minute episode called “Aliveness”, for inspiration and encouragement.

Open eyes and sturdy shoes: I’ve been working on that here at Granite State Walker for nearly two decades now. It’s always good to meet fellow hikers similarly equipped. Walk on!

From blissful hiker ❤︎ inspiring you to hike your own hike: Aliveness, Jul 3, 2025
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blissful-hiker-inspiring-you-to-hike-your-own-hike/id1515744759?i=1000715549476&r=269
This material may be protected by copyright.

Header photo by Ellen Kolb. Mount Kearsarge (south), NH.

How to become a Granite State walker

/ Ellen Kolb / 1 Comment

Some time ago, a local writer interviewed me about the advantages of getting outside to walk on trails and paths and sidewalks. The resulting article sparked questions from readers about how I got started doing just that. So here’s how I became a Granite State walker, and I can hope this helps inspire soon-to-be-walkers everywhere.

Legs and feet of hiker who is reclining in a meadow with yellow flowers
Image by Kurt Bouda from Pixabay

Getting started

I’m writing with my age-60-plus contemporaries in mind, but anyone can take the information and make the most of it.

For someone who hasn’t yet developed a habit of walking or hiking, what’s the first step? I’m supposed to say “get the OK from your health care provider.” I confess that I didn’t do that when I got started.

Next thing to do is get good shoes. Nothing will ruin a good day faster than a blister or pinched toe or plantar fasciitis (the bane of my existence). Think of good shoes as a prescription: high priority, worth the price, essential to health. I’m a thrift-store shopper for the most part, but when it comes to footwear for hiking, I head straight for the local specialty shoe store with a staff accustomed to working with active adults. For me, that means Alec’s in Nashua NH. Even the discount racks there have high-quality shoes. They’re only on the discount rack because they’re last year’s models – and who cares about the model year? As for cost, good shoes are cheaper than medical care necessitated by poorly-fitting shoes or a sedentary lifestyle.

If you’re exploring trails in New Hampshire, get a Hike Safe card online from New Hampshire Fish & Game, and read the Hike Safe website. Even if you’re not a Granite Stater, that site has good information for you.

I keep a rain jacket and ice-gripping cleats handy, but sometimes a treadmill is a better option for me when the weather’s messy. I maintain a $10-per-month gym membership to keep that option open.

If your mobility is impaired for any reason, even temporarily, work with your health care provider for strategies that will help you explore the outdoors.

Where to walk

The hardest part of developing a habit of walking is simply deciding to get out there. Walk around the block or through the neighborhood. Ten minutes on pavement is better than ten minutes of looking the nearest screen. Once I got started walking for pleasure and exercise, ten minutes grew to 20, then an hour, and so on.

If you rely on assistive devices for mobility, look for trails that are paved (like the Windham and Londonderry trails) or are otherwise well-surfaced. Friends might know about accessible places. Check with your local senior center; I’ll bet there are volunteers with ideas. Online research can help.

If you’re lucky enough to live in a low-traffic area, create some routes on local streets. Look up your town’s Parks and Rec department and Conservation Commission. Both are likely to have properties with trails and trail maps. Check out state parks, too.

The Fire Tower Quest sponsored by New Hampshire Forests and Lands led me to towers near and far, from Federal Hill in Milford to Mt. Magalloway in Pittsburg. Want a Tower Quest patch? Visit five towers, and in southern New Hampshire, that’s not too hard. Bring a friend or a child or a grandchild. The views are worth the uphill walks.

The Forest Society has properties all over New Hampshire, many with marked trails. Find out about properties and download maps at https://www.forestsociety.org/visitor-guide. A few of my favorites are Dame Forest in Durham, Madame Sherri Forest in Chesterfield, and the Merrimack River Conservation and Education area in Concord.

Anyone who’s read this blog for awhile knows that I’m a rail trail fan in all seasons. Do yourself a favor and browse the New Hampshire Rail Trails Coalition website, nhrtc.org.

What’s the difference between a hike and a walk? Very subjective. To me, if I need boots, that’s a hike. Don’t let yourself think you’re not a hiker just because you’re not on the way to the summit of Mt. Washington.

Safety

When I head outside, whether I’m in the neighborhood or away seeking one of those fire towers, I let a family member know where I’m going and when I expect to be home.

I say this as someone who much prefers hiking alone: it’s a good idea to hike with a partner. I know that when I choose a solo trip, I’m deciding not to have someone around who can summon help if I’m injured and unable to fend for myself.

Go to hikesafe.com for information on what to carry on a hike. Be responsible for your own safety to the greatest extent. New Hampshire Fish and Game offers a list of the Ten Essentials. Even on a local walk, I’m sure to have my phone, keys, a whistle, a small flashlight that hangs on my keychain, and ID. If I’m on a trail, I have a printed map.

I always bring my phone, and I never stake my life on it. Yes, my smartphone has a compass and can store maps, but only if the battery is charged – and here’s the voice of experience to assure you that batteries run down. Some of the places I go, even in my own town, have weak or no cell signal. Calls might be impossible and texts might be sketchy. As for the phone’s flashlight, using it will burn through the phone’s battery in no time.

Why bother?

Why choose to create a walking habit in the first place? I started out for my own mental health. As I pace I can pray, mull over a problem, or learn from what I see around me. As a young mother of five, I found the walks refreshing. They didn’t do the kids any harm, either.

Physical health was a secondary concern for me when I got started, but it has become more significant as I’ve grown older. “Movement is medicine,” says my massage therapist. My experience bears that out. I have a genetic predisposition to some annoying things that have been kept at bay by regular physical activity. Joints have stiffened; they’d be stiffer still if I weren’t literally putting them through their paces frequently.

Walking teaches me to appreciate where I am, without comparisons. I am no Olympic athlete. My aerobic capacity is not comparable to that of a distance runner. I will never set a speed record beyond the ever-challenging Personal Best. And you know what? I’m a walker anyway. I’m a hiker anyway. I’m not trying to impress anyone, and I’m grateful for every step. Gratitude gets easier with age.

Walking has taught me to see what’s around me. The pace suits me. I see things that a runner or cyclist or motorist would miss. Along the way I’ve grown to appreciate the work of trail stewards. I’ll never again take for granted a path that’s in good shape.

I was in my mid-thirties when I started walking for exercise. Most of those walks were once around the block (did I mention I have five children?). Now, thirty years later, I just wrapped up a trip that included 66 miles of walking. Your style and goals might be different, and that’s fine. Just start.

If you’d like to support Granite State Walker, you can buy me a coffee. Thanks!

One way to celebrate – part III

/ Ellen Kolb / 2 Comments

The last north country day of my birthday celebration was spent with Marianne Barowski, who led the effort to create the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail (xNHAT). She is still its number one trail steward. I met her and a likeminded friend in Gorham, where we spotted a car before driving to Shelburne to start a walk down Hogan Road.

This is the third and final installment of the journal for this trip. Part I recounted my bike-defying walk in Franconia Notch, and in part II I sang the praises of the Presidential Rail Trail and the xNHAT.

Hogan Road

Hogan Road is one of the xNHAT segments that puts the “adventure” into “adventure trail.” It’s a woods road, easy for walkers, though its rough varied surface looks like it eats bike tires for breakfast. Busted culverts? Check. Smooth rocks, sharp rocks, indifferently-dumped gravel of random diameter? Check.

Then again, there were a few other things to notice. The Androscoggin River on the south side of the road is of surpassing beauty with Mount Madison rising in the distance. I snacked on wild black raspberries that put my granola bars to shame. I had good company, too. As a rule I prefer to travel solo. When I get the chance to walk a trail with its founder, though, “yes” is the only reasonable response.

Wide river, forested shoreline, mountain in the background, blue sky
From Hogan Road in Shelburne NH, Mount Madison is a striking backdrop to the Androscoggin River.

Stewardship, fellowship, gratitude

Our goal for the morning was to check the road’s condition with xNHAT users in mind, and add or replace directional signs as needed. Marianne carried a pack with the necessary equipment, while her friend and I were handy for consultation. That’s pretty much all she needed us for.

Companions on Hogan Road

This wasn’t a day for piling up miles. Rather, it was a day for fellowship and gratitude. Throughout my trip, I was the beneficiary of the work of trail stewards like Marianne. Her friend, who I think was new to the trail, became a steward that very day when we came to a turn where signage is hard to post and maintain. She went to work building a small cairn there – something that never occurred to me. It was a simple thing, and possibly temporary, but it was a fresh approach to a nagging little issue.

Along the way the river kept inviting us to stop and enjoy the view. It flowed past us silently at first. A few miles later, upstream, it was lively and loud, probably due to a release from the power dam in Gorham.

We discovered a Forest Society sign along the way, identifying the Shelburne Valley Forest, a recently-protected parcel of land that includes a portion of xNHAT. I think that augurs well for the future of passive recreation in the area.

Wrapping up

Returning home after my north country travels, I still had a few miles left to meet my goal. I put them on hold, briefly. My husband, not a hiker but very much an athlete, had a bike race scheduled in Maine two days later. Not a problem. I could walk in Maine.

It turned out that the town where we stayed in Maine had a fine bike/pedestrian trail for me. It ran along the Androscoggin River. Yes, the same river that sweetened the scenery along Hogan Road! I reached my goal there. I couldn’t have known when I started that the Androscoggin would stick with me until I was done. A friend of mine calls such coincidences “Godwinks,” and I’m not about to dispute her.

wide river, forested island, pastel-colored sky at sunset
Androscoggin River near sunset, Brunswick ME

Every step of the way, even when I felt absolutely beat, I was grateful for all of it. God is good. In a state full of hikers who knock off 4000-footers before lunch, I maxed out at 16 miles one day on flat trails. (You should have seen the pile of mac & cheese I had for dinner that night.) There’s room in this world for peak baggers and flatlanders alike.

That’s worth celebrating.

I’ll make an endorsement here, unsolicited and uncompensated: thumbs up to the Art Gallery Hostel in Whitefield, which served as base camp for my north country dayhikes. It’s economical, clean, and hiker-friendly. No meals are included, but there’s a kitchen. Dunks is next door, and a grocery store is down the street. Info at booking.com.

If you’d like to support Granite State Walker, you can buy me a coffee. Thanks!

One way to celebrate – part II

/ Ellen Kolb / 2 Comments

When last we met, I described a stop in Franconia Notch as I headed north for a birthday hike. Ultimately, half of my trip’s miles were along the Presidential Rail Trail (PRT). No two hikes there are alike, even from one day to the next.

Was I hiking, or was I walking? I know there are trail lovers out there who would scorn my use of the word “hike” to describe travel on any path that’s flat. I humbly ask their (your?) indulgence. If I’m on a paved surface, or an unpaved well-maintained town road, I’m walking. Anyplace else, I’m hiking.

Just go with it. Let’s get back to the PRT.

A cloudy day in Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge

Two days and half of my miles were on the PRT, my favorite rail trail. The first day was cloudy, the second brilliantly sunny, and each was splendid.

I began with the PRT’s path through Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge. My first stop was the viewing platform at Cherry Pond, an easy mile and a half from the Airport Road trailhead in Whitefield. The pond was covered with waterlilies. The only sounds were crickets, bees, some shy songbirds, and one distant jet way overhead.

Cherry Mountain and the Pliny Range were out the open, but the Presidentials to the east refused to come out from behind clouds. I gave them a chance, as I spent several hours between the trailheads at Airport Road and NH 115-A, but they simply weren’t going to show off for anyone not climbing them.

Meadow with summer wildflowers on a cloudy day with a mountain in the background
Cherry Mountain and Joe-Pye weed along the Presidential Rail Trail. Ellen Kolb photo.

Wild blossoms lined my way. I was pleased to see that Joe-Pye weed, while fading a bit, was still plentiful. I like its bold height and pink blooms. I was to see much more of it in the coming days.

Coming back at dusk to chase some sunset photos, I was surprised by a snowshoe hare popping out of the dense brush along the trail. Accustomed as I am to the pesky Eastern cottontails that abound in my southern New Hampshire neighborhood, I wasn’t used to seeing a larger, darker rabbit. But there it was!

Forested mountain range at sunset
A late afternoon view from the PRT: Mount Waumbek and the Pliny Range. Ellen Kolb photo.

The Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail

The next day, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. I was doomed to get sunburned.

The xNHAT – I’ll use the abbreviation favored by the trail’s founder, about whom more in part III – includes much of the PRT, but also a quiet residential unpaved Jefferson road called Valley Way. That’s where I got my sunburn. It’s also where I had all the views of the Presidential Range that were missing the day before.

Panoramic view of the Presidential Range mountains in New Hampshire, seen from a nearby road
The Presidential Range seen from Valley Way in Jefferson NH. L-R: Mts. Madison, Adams, Jefferson, and Washington. Mt. Washington is the tallest, but seems shorter due to the angle from which I took the photo.

(I’ve written before about the xNHAT, which extends all the way across the state from Woodsville past Shelburne, ending in Bethel, Maine. My trip included only a couple of segments. Take a look at xnhat.org to learn about the whole trail.)

I started from Bowman, a trailhead off U.S. 2 in Randolph. From there I hiked west to NH Route 115, and then reversed direction as far as the Appalachia parking area. Having the car in the middle of my route gave me a place to eat lunch with my feet propped up. (My celebration, my rules.)

I started on the shady PRT, and when I got to Jefferson Notch Road I cut over to Valley Way. After all the clouds the day before, I was going to take the scenic route and enjoy the view of the Presidential range in all its summer glory.

Thumbs up to the friend of the trail who has established Paradise Meadow on Valley Way! This generous supporter has set up a little oasis on his own property for the benefit of xNHAT travelers. There’s room for a couple of tents, for the convenience of bikepackers or backpackers. More important for me as a day hiker were his other amenities, including a picnic table, a cooler full of bottled water, and a tidy discreetly-located pit toilet. I left him a thank-you note and a small donation in the little lockbox nearby.

Valley Way was superb, but I eventually switched back to the PRT for its soothing shade. While the PRT is parallel to and close by U.S. 2, the highway’s traffic is muted by the trees between trail and highway. A soft surface to walk on, shade above me, and wild black raspberries here and there made for a fine afternoon.

Shady woods trail
Shade along the PRT, and a rock cut dating back to rail days. Ellen Kolb photo.

In part III, I’ll take you to Hogan Road on the xNHAT, which might be Mr. Hyde to Valley Road’s Dr. Jekyll – though after several visits, Hogan and I have come to terms. It has beauty of its own. If you missed part I, you can find it here.

If you’re so inclined, you can Buy Me a Coffee – with my thanks!

One way to celebrate – part I

/ Ellen Kolb / 3 Comments

Do you have something to celebrate, but you’re not sure how? Walking works for me.

My original plan for this year was to celebrate my birthday with a flourish. I’d backpack on my favorite New Hampshire rail trails, maybe over five days or so, for a number of miles equal to my age.

Ultimately, the plan was modified in every respect except the number of miles I wanted to walk. Dayhiking instead of backpacking; eight days, not five; August, not the actual month of my birthday. I included roads and park paths as well as rail trails. I skipped around New Hampshire, and even crossed into Maine for a bit.

Mission accomplished. I’ll help myself to cake at the earliest opportunity.

Let me share some highlights. Maybe you’ll get ideas for your own celebrations. I’ll split this into three posts, so if you like this one, you can look forward to two more shortly. If you don’t like this one, you can tune in later to see if I’ve upped my game.

Franconia Notch State Park

I’ve driven on I-93 through the notch more times than I can count. Knowing that Franconia Notch State Park has a paved recreational trail 9 miles long, I thought it was about time for me to enjoy the area at walking speed.

"The Basin", a small chute of water into a pool lined with smooth granite rock
The Basin in Franconia Notch State Park, NH. Dry summer, low water – and still a pleasant place to visit. Ellen Kolb photo.

The rec trail was a treat, once I came to terms with the cyclists sharing the path. There were more than a few e-bike renters who weren’t quite at home with their vehicles on the downhills. We gave each other space and cheerful greetings. I was there midweek, and I expect the experience might have been more hectic on a weekend.

I started at the Flume visitor center at the south end of the notch, and worked my way north. I stopped at the pretty Basin for a few minutes, and gave serious thought to joining a few people wading in the shallow Pemigewasset River just upstream. Warm day, cool water…but I kept going, knowing that up at Profile Plaza I’d find a place to enjoy my lunch with views of the surrounding mountains. The walk back to where I was parked was downhill, and I made sure to listen for speedy cyclists coming up behind me.

The Franconia Notch recreational trail and the cliffs of Cannon Mountain. Ellen Kolb photo.

Here’s a tip, if you’re participating in the scavenger hunt celebrating the 90th birthday of the New Hampshire state parks system: in Franconia Notch state park, you can find several opportunities to score points.

Towards the southern end of the rec trail, I was on the Appalachian trail for about 30 feet. Maybe 20. We briefly shared a bridge, you see. AT hikers go through Franconia Notch the hard way. It wasn’t the last time I’d cross the AT on this trip.

I packed too much sweet stuff in my lunch bag. The rec trail goes through Lafayette Campground, where I found a nice little store stocked with Goldfish crackers. Pardon my crumbs.

If you head to the Notch and want to get oriented, the Flume visitor center at the south end of the park is the place to go. I used the nice clean bathroom there, knowing that facilities in the coming days were likely to be a bit more rustic.

Coming up in part II of the trip journal: two days and half of my miles were on the Presidential Rail Trail, which extends from Whitefield to Gorham. The first day was cloudy, the second brilliantly sunny, and each was splendid. Part III will cover the serene walk along Hogan Road, a unique section of the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail.

You can help Granite State Walker get to the next trailhead, simply by clicking on Buy Me a Coffee. Thank you!