The Great Northwoods of New Hampshire

In October 2008, we decided to visit the uppermost corner of New Hampshire in a region known as the Great Northwoods. With beautiful fall colors, a mountainous landscape, interesting scenary, and lots of moose, we really enjoyed our three days in the region.

It was definitely cool and rainy during our visit. But, we made the most of it. We look in many of the finer sights of the region including these nice black maple leaves fallen on the moist moss.

We entered the Great Northwoods from Quebec. Here on the ridgeline border, you can see majestic Mont Megantic in Quebec in the distance. I'll focus the next post on the hike we did along the border between Canada and the United States to visit 4th Connecticut Lake, the headwaters of the Connecticut River.

We stayed three nights at the lovely Tall Timbers Lodge in Pittsburg, NH. The restaurant had wonderful food and were very accomodating to 8-month Hilina. The lake is on the shores of Back Lake. In discussions with them, I asked them when the lake freezes over and people begin snowmobiling. They told us that the lake often begins to freeze in late November and by mid-December it is safe for ice fishing.

Here is the pier off Back Lake from the Tall Timbers Lodge

This is 2nd Connecticut Lake, a series of four lakes that make up the headwaters of the Connecticut River.

Perhaps you have heard of Dixville Notch, the first place in the nation to vote in elections (all 20 people at midnight). This is even further north than there.

This region is known as "Moose Alley" due to having the highest density of moose in the Lower 48 states. I fully expected to see them and hoped so. When I asked the lodge folks where and how to see them, they told me to get up at 5am and drive north on the road for guarunteed sightings. So, that's what I did and I wasn't alone. There were dozens of cars driving 10 mph down the highway, some with spotlights. Unfortunately, I did not spot any moose on the visit. But, that was OK, it was fun looking.