Here we are, ready for our long journey,
wearing our orange so we aren't mistaken for a flock of water fowl.
Behind us is the Old Exeter Baptist Church.

We all met at the Old Exeter Baptist Church. It's an old 18th Century New England meeting house. A perfect setting to begin our creepy trip. We all had to wear orange, because bird-hunting season had opened the previous day. I told the group that we had little chance of seeing a hunter. I would eat those words.

Our 10-mile journey began on the Mount Tom Trail. It's a lovely walk through an immense dark and dense pine grove. Of course, we also met a hunter. I must admit, his etiquette was superb. He had his barrel collapsed, and he was cradling it in his arms - textbook! Some guys do it right.

Further along we would encounter some enormous ant hills. Some were as big a Volkswagons! There was not an ant in sight. They were done with their work for the winter. Still, I noticed an extra hop in everyone's step going through the Antropolis.

We scrambled our way up a rocky outcropping, and we were treated to a glorious view of the foliage. Roy and I snapped our cameras, while Mike and Ben eagerly took my binoculars to inspect the uninterrupted view of forestland. It was an awe-inspiring sight.

We scrambled our way to the end of the outcropping, and then crossed Rte. 165 to summit Mount Tom itself. At a measly 430 feet, covered by a thick canopy of hardwoods, it wasn't all that impressive a Mount. In fact, if there wasn't a wimpy looking rock outcrop at the top, you wouldn't even know where the peak was!

After walking down a long and straight path arched by Mountain Laurel, we eventually came out to a dirt road, where we had to change to the Escoheag Trail. This part of the journey was quite lovely. After winding through a dense hardwood forest, the path meandered silently through an impressive pine grove. These trees were much taller than those on the Mount Tom Trail. The silence was deafening as we cowered beneath the towering giants.

From there, we made our way to the Ben Utter Trail, which runs beside Falls River traveling upstream to Stepstone Falls. Although the water level was low, the beauty of the area did not disappoint. Bill was fascinated by the mill ruins and old stone dams, but everyone else seemed more interested in getting to the falls to have lunch! At almost six miles into our journey, who can blame them?

We ate lunch beside the falls, and once again Roy and I started pointing our cameras. A few of us took off our boots, and some even stuck their feet in the soothing waters. It was very relaxing. A perfect time to catch a second wind.

After lunch we were on our way again. We headed back the way we came down Ben Utter Trail to pick up Shelter Trail. Before taking the fork we noticed that Shannon had aggravated an old injury and was in a bit of pain. Bill offered to accompany her on a shortcut back to their cars. And off they went. I must say, Shannon was a trooper. She kept right on trucking. That's courage.

The rest of us pressed on, and found our way to Shelter Trail. We took it slow going up Penny Hill, our last to conquer. At this point, around mile 8, we were a pretty battered group. Everyone continued laughing and having a great time despite the blisters, fatigue, and soreness.

I was speechless when one of our hikers announced that she had filled her water bottle at Falls River, and she had been drinking that! Although she feels okay now, there is great danger in drinking unpurified water from a brook, stream, or river. Giardia is a nasty parasite that you don't want. DON'T DO THAT! She knows that now. It is very important that you bring plenty of drinking water when you hike. One Avian bottle is NOT enough.

It was getting dark, and the stronger folks in the group offered to forge ahead to get their cars to come back and pick up our battle wounded.

A few folks admitted to having under-estimated 10-miles. It is a long distance hike. But despite the great adversity, despite it all, everyone had a terrific time. No one complained about anything. They talked and laughed the whole way through. Haunted Hike #1 was a tremendous success!

Annette S. and I met Dave K. at the Garfield Ridge trailhead promptly at 8:45. GONewEngland Welcoming Committee/Motivator Kathy K. soon arrived, and we did the car shuttle dance. We left Dave's car where it was, put Kathy's car at the Gale River Trail trailhead, and we all drove in my van to the Twin Mountain trail. Thien N. had to cancel due to illness and John R. was going to start a bit later.

Our canine friends had no problem at all with the hike.  Both Augie and Cider were very friendly.  You'd expect that from Cider, a Golden Retriever.  Augie Doggy is more of a mix, with coloring akin to a Rottie, but it's suspected he's mostly Lab.  Great hiking companions!

Kidder Mt. is an easy hike to a super view, that's for sure.  Although the foliage wasn't quite at 100% peak, there was still a great deal of color down in the valley.  And you could see all the way to Boston on one side, and the other side gave a good view of Mt. Monadnock.

At the top I guided the troop to the best sittin' rocks, and we broke for lunch.  Sunshine, nice temps, a tiny breeze...Yep, a very worthwhile hike!