Pawtuckaway State Park Nottingham NH

Early to rise on a perfect sunday morning in New Hampshire, after leaving Derry NH, headed up with a crayon made map from my amazing friends the Boulanger's. Off on my way, the trip which was about an hour from derry was direct straight forward, and following the swiggly lines I got there in a jiff.

Rt 156 Really easy to find.

  

 

            

The visitor center is about a mile down to the trails, I do suggest you drive down to the trail since you can and park right in front. The first trail I chose started on Mountain Trail that leads to Fire Tower trail, it's a non stressful, direct line from the first to the second, very mild slope but plenty to see. Including the beware of Black Bears sign, its an inside joke. You pass several different small ponds which have great view points. Lots of rocks and roots, so you do have to watch your step but not a lot of steep incline. 
                        

The first entire section is open trail.

This trail is marked very clearly with a white square and you can follow it down, passed natural small waterways, several small waterfalls. I personally love small waterfalls and take my time to appericate them. You can see giant rocks that liter the forest, I don't know if this used to be a quarry or something but they seem to be random and kinda out of place. 
      Fire Tower trail, the best section of this hike, its steep, has alot of rock inclines, and you keep a steady upward feeling to you. A couple of the trails leading up are closed, there was a logging cut back trying to save some of the older trees, which according to the signs is working. I really enjoyed this part, you can see in the distance the firetower but mostly its shadow till you get to the top. 

More incline, more of a work out.

Finally at the summit/Firetower top, you get one hell of view, after a short three mile from start to top, its really not a bad walk. A decent work out if you are in the area, well worth the five dollars to park inside the park. When you get views like this, you appericate them more. Glad I decided to take this walk.

Good morning friends.

The walk back I decided to ignore the map, just go with it, if you get the chance do the same, the off beaten non marked trails, have more of an steep, and lot more rock to climb over. Overall, a good trail, not to much beat up on my shoes or hiking poles. I barely drank a quart of water, so you can keep that in mind if you decide to visit, you can drop down to nothing if you chose.  Get out there friends!