9Mar2008

Spruce Hill Hike of 9Mar2008, Sunday, 3 hours, temperature approaching 30F, with 10-12 inches of snow.

The appearance or evidence of life takes on an entirely different significance when viewed in the context of the past couple days of blizzard-like conditions and a foot of snow. As we walked along the edge of the hill top , we happened to cross paths with a small, dark brown spider marching along on top of the snow. I would never have thought that spiders venture out in such weather conditions. I suppose they get cabin fever, too.

The surface of the snow cover on the hilltop had drifted and been blown and carved and painted by the wind that had more than likely reached 35-40 miles an hour with so little to stand in its way. The snow varied in depth from about 14 inches to 4 inches from the isthmus to the pond.

Every step along this hike was a three step process in and of itself. It consisted of first lifting each foot high enough to clear the top of the snow, then the sensation of not knowing how far one's foot would travel through the snow, then the eventual settling into the squishy ooze of the thawed, wet soil at some level below the snow cover. Having hiked all the way to the Spruce Hill isthmus cross country from Baum Hill Road, and after skirting the SE edge of the isthmus and southern tip of the pond, we decided to head home. But we did stay on the hill top long enough to see the sun slip behind the western cloud bank with a golden blaze, and that's when the snow took on that deeply-impersonal, evening-blue tint that is so enchanting in the winter cold.

What a great time to hike Spruce Hill! Oh that I had thought to bring my snowshoes!!!

Wildlife sightings: Red winged blackbird, pileated woodpecker, spider