Not So Green Falls

Terrain: Slight hills, some rocky spots, mostly flat
Mileage: 5.05 (Garmin eTrex20)
Time: ~ 2 hours
Route: Green Falls Pond Rd to Blue/Blue-Orange, around pond, & back to road.

Jill started it. Last night she texted Becky and I to make sure we did some walking this weekend. She was still feeling under the weather so she was out. It was up to Becky and I to get out. We proceeded to blow up Jill's phone with our plans going back and forth. I don't think Jill ever responded to Becky's and my conversation, but we were sure to keep her up with text notifications until almost 11pm. What else is family for?

Due to work, Becky had to go early today. We settled on Green Falls in the Pachaug State Forest for a 7:30 am start time. Of course we didn't actually start on time, or leave our houses when we said we would. Something about that 24°F on the thermometer outside and my fleece sheets....nevermind the darkness outside! I managed to pull out of the driveway though as the sun was peeking over the horizon.

As I turned down Fish Rd. and dodged the divots in the dirt road, Becky texted and said she was about 6 miles out. I confirmed we were meeting at the swimming area, as there are many places to park, and twice as many trails to take. I turned on to Green Fall Pond Rd and the large metal gate was crossing the road. I pulled around and got a hold of Becky again. Plan B?

I started down the dirt road that I did not come from and just before meeting rt. 138, I found Becky. A quick good morning, health check, and yipping pups, we headed back to the gate to park off to the side. I didn't even notice the turn off the first time I was here.

The pups were ready to go and we meandered down the road past the picnic, swimming, and camping areas. The trail turned off to the right and up a hill. We confirmed our colors on the trail map and started up the incline.

The weather hasn't quite turned yet (despite the low temperature this morning) and the trail was littered with brown leaves, evergreens, rocks, and some ice. The pond had a thin layer of ice around the edges and part way across. Fortunately for us, there was no ice on the rocks or declines.

Running Ramona

Eugene, one of the smaller pups, took the quick route down to the dam - straight down the rocks. The rest of us managed to zig-zag and stay mostly on the trail as marked. Once back on the grass above the dam, the dogs ran in all their glory. I think they were happy to be off the rocks.

The Falls were as nice as ever. Ice formed on the outskirts of the fall and glistened in the sun that was still rising.  We made sure to note that swimming was off limits, and it would be a long walk back with a broken leg. However, it was also noted that the ice on the rocks could make for an easier fall.

Eugene doesn't need a bridge.

We looped back around the pond and I kept waiting for the "plunk!" in the water - either from a human or canine behind me. There may have been two, a little one followed by a larger one, Becky pointed out. Luckily we managed to get around without any.

A few easy brook crossings (with and without trail markings, depending if Becky was paying attention) and Green Falls Lochness spottings (or bird flying above, or leaf blowing across the ice pond) and we were back on the road. Those steps leading up to the road, however, had us both breathing well. The dogs were happy to be back on the open road too.

Earlier on the way to the trail head we managed to distract the pups from a hot dog bun that was in the dirt road. Coming back, on the other hand, took a bit more effort. Neither of us could remember exactly where it was, but the pups found it. Becky encouraged two of them to run passed it with some funky noises and a sudden burst of energy. Eugene wasn't up for the run and snuck around my right side. He grabbed the bun. I mimicked Becky's noise and chased him. He dropped it and ran with me.

Two hundred feet later we had all three dogs around our ankles and we were laughing at the whole situation Between the noises and the dogs' reactions - the words don't do it justice.

We made it back to the cars and said our goodbyes. I headed back down the dirt road to Rt. 138 to go home a different way. Becky sent me a message before I got to the end though, to tell me I should have stuck around. She got stuck backing out between two trees.

And I don't have the pictures to prove it.