Preparing for Winter: A Wooden Dock Taken Out of the Water Before Ice Comes

Preparing for a New Hampshire winter means thinking ahead about how ice and freezing temperatures will affect anything left in the water. A wooden dock left in place through the freeze is almost guaranteed to suffer damage:

•  Ice expansion & pressure: As the pond freezes, ice expands and shifts. That pressure can crack boards, split joints, and warp the dock frame.

•  Movement & heaving: Ice sheets don’t just sit still—they rise and fall with water levels, grinding against the dock and pulling at its supports.

•  Moisture damage: Even treated wood absorbs water. Repeated freeze–thaw cycles cause swelling, splitting, and rot.

•  Hardware stress: Bolts, brackets, and fasteners can bend or shear off under the strain of shifting ice.

That’s why most waterfront owners in northern climates remove or lift docks before the pond freezes. My seasonal dock is designed for easy removal with two or three strong family members or neighbors. As neighbors help each other we often make dock dremoval a community affair. 

Since I have had firsthand experience with damage, my proactive approach of removing the dock is the best way to preserve it for many more summers of use.

This 4 minute video shows my son Tim and neighbor Paul, removing the dock, and further as the dock is stored, it is position for easy return in the early sping unpon decclation of ice out. 

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References

• www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/
• Bedford Community Television (BCTV):  Knife Edge to Baxter Peak at the Northern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail produced by Steve Priest
• The Wilderness Map Company, Franconia, NH 03580 (I could find no web site on the map I used titled, Katahdin: Baxter State Park, Maine)
• OutdoorSteve Blog Post November 2009: Springer Mountain, Georgia - The Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail
• Appalachian Trail Conservancy
• http://www.loonsnest.biz/

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"Everyone must do something.  I believe I will go outdoors with family and friends"

Steve’s latest book, Outdoor Play "Fun 4 4 Seasons" is available as an e-Book at Kindle ($3.99) and hard copy at Amazon.com ($18.95)

"Everyone should believe in something. I believe I’ll go Outdoors.” 

Steve’s books are available as hardcopy and e-Books at Amazon's Kindle and hardcopy at Harborside Trading Company, 81 Main St, Sunapee, NH, Wild Goose Country Store, 77 Main St, Sunapee, NH, Morgan Hill Bookstore, New London, NH, Bookstore at Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Gift Shop, Lebanon, NH, and Village Sports, New London, NH.

For more of Steve’s outdoor guidebooks and documentary videos, visit OutdoorSteve.com and Outdooradventurers.blogspot.com.

 

Two weeks ago, I received an invitation from Sunapee High School for a Veterans Day Breakfast Appreciation Event on November 13, 2025 8:30 am.  My wife was shy about going, saying this event was only for veterans.  I told her it indeed included her.

She eventually agree to come with me. In preparation for this event, I prepared my introduction for my wife.

 I thought this introduction was important enough to share with my two sons.

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good morning, everyone. My name is Steve Priest, and my wife and I live on Perkins Pond.

 My wife, Catherine Daly Priest, didn’t want to come today.

 She said, “I didn’t serve in the military.”

 But I’d like to share a story with you — one that might make you think differently about what service really means.

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When I was in the U.S. Army, Catherine and I were stationed in Germany.

I worked at a small Army base, Miesau Army Depot, repairing radar systems for the HAWK missile — part of our air defense.

 Catherine, a registered nurse, worked just five kilometers away at Landstuhl General Hospital.

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While I was fixing circuit boards, she was receiving wounded, sick, and injured soldiers flown in from Vietnam and other conflict zones.

 They arrived at Ramstein Air Force Base and were transferred directly to Landstuhl, where she cared for them until they could be sent to Walter Reed Hospital in the States.

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If you want to understand the kind of injuries she saw, just turn on the news today.

 It was intense. It was emotional. And it was service — every bit as real and vital as mine.

------------------

So when Catherine says she wasn’t in the military, I respectfully disagree.

 I thank her for her service.

 And I salute her — not just as my wife, but as someone who stood shoulder to shoulder with those who wore the uniform.

 Thank you.

 Catherine, I Love You

CloserQ - Business & Family Blog CloserQ (shaun@closerq.com) is a Business, Sales, and Family Blog.

 

                CloserQ - Business & Family Blog

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Keep up with Shaun and family life style.

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"Everyone must do something. I believe I will go outdoors with family and friends" S. Priest

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Hiking Maine's Fabled Knife Edge Trail

The Northern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail

FellowHiking Colleagues and Outdoor Adventurers:

This 30-minute video documentary captures not only our journey to Baxter Peak, the northern terminus of the AT, but also the return hike down the Hunt Trail (the AT) to Katahdin Stream Campground, providing a comprehensive view of our adventure.

I hope you enjoy these moments as much as I did putting them together. Your support and camaraderie have made these experiences truly special.

I suggest you sit your friends and family down, make some popcorn, gather your favorite drink, and watch this Knife Edge documentary.  

Be prepared to close your eyes if you are severely afraid of heights.

Here is the 50-second Trailer I developed to promote the half-hour "Hiking the Fabled Knife Edge Trail."

Here is the half-hour film submitted to the Film Festival:  

------------------------------Intro Narrative----------------------------

I present the Fabled Knife Edge Trail of Mount Katahdin, Maine. A 15-hour and 11-mile hike, followed by the trail mapping plan. Five friends and I will take you with us, share the Knife Edge experience, and discuss the planning.

We planned a long day of hiking, only to find a day and evening of climbing. The plan seemed relatively straightforward:

1. Hike to Baxter Peak, the northern terminus of the 2,162-mile Appalachian Trail (AT).
2. Cross the fabled 1.1-mile Knife Edge Trail.
3. Hike five miles on the AT starting at its northern beginning at Baxter Peak.

A footpath by the loosest of definitions, the ridge-jagged Knife Edge can be as narrow as the width of your laptop computer screen with thousand-foot drop-offs on both sides of the ridge. The 1.1-mile Knife Edge Trail in Baxter State Park, Maine, is often described as the most dangerous trail in New England. The crossing was a two-hour scramble, balancing act, crawling, scooting on our butts, while on a peaked rock-strewn ridge stretching from Pamola Peak across Chimney Peak (4902 feet) and South Peak to Baxter Peak (5267 feet) on Mt Katahdin. Baxter Peak is the northern start of the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail.

You cannot drive or paddle to reach the Knife Edge Trail. First, it takes a 7-hour uphill hike from Roaring Brook campground to Chimney Peak to get to the beginning of the notorious and legendary Knife Edge Trail. Next, after a two-hour hike described above, you finally arrive at the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail at Mt Katahdin's Baxter Peak. And remember, what goes up a mountain, must come down. After reaching your Baxter Peak goal via the Knife Edge Trail, you now must hike down five miles on Mt Katahdin's Appalachian Trail in more treacherous ridge terrain for six hours to return to the Katahdin Stream Campground.

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More Detail Videos of Knife Edge, Google Earth Map Route, and Overview of Our Katahdin Trek

Sit back and enjoy - and cringe - as we cross the fabled Knife Edge Trail. Now showing on Bedford Community Television (BCTV) - produced by OutdoorSteve.com
Click here for a narrated Map of our Katahdin Trail Route using Google Earth.
Click here for A Little Stroll Along Katahdin with Dundee and LoonsNest.biz

Below is the time and miles breakdown by trail

Trails	Start	End Total Trip Hrs:Min	Hours   Miles	Comments
Roaring Brook Campground to Chimney Pond Campground	Start 6:45 am	9:30 am	2 ¾ hrs 3.3 miles	Chimney Pond Trail easy hike.  4 of us used Tracking Poles.  Some nice side trail views.
Chimney Pond Campground to Pamola Peak via Dudley Trail	10 am	1 pm	3 hrs 1.4 miles	After a snack and rest at Chimney Pond Campground, we tied our tracking poles to our packs.  The Dudley Trail is a 2,000 elevation gain and a relentless massive granite boulder laden trail nearly straight up requiring our hands for pulling, grabbing rocks and hand holds, our legs for pushing, our arms for lifting our bodies, our feet for pushing and toe holds, and our butts to sliding up and holding our bodies at times. All of us were exhausted.  Indeed it was a very trying physical test of our mettle.
Pamola Peak to Chimney Peak/Knife Edge	1:20 pm	2:12 pm	¾ hr	Our descent down the 40 foot drop from Pamola Peak was technical “rock climbing” .  We held indentations in the rocks while reaching for footholds.  Indeed for this descent we used using hands, arms, body and butt.
Knife Edge to South Peak	2:12	3:00 pm	1 hr .8 miles	A 1.1 mile balancing act along the ridge of the Knife Edge Trail. Prior to this trip I had visions of panicking because of the elevation and 1000 foot drop offs and extremely narrow trail.  Truthfully, I had no fear as I crossed this very unique trail.
South Peak to Baxter Peak	3:00	3:50 pm	1 hr .3 miles	This ridge trail went up and down.  Just when we got to the top of the trail, it would drop and we would start another descent.  Then an ascent followed by another descent.  We were close to 7 hours since we left Roaring Brook campground and were tired.  At each high ledge we could see Baxter Peak, but could not differentiate the rolling ridge.
Baxter Peak  via Hunt Trail through Table Land	4:00 pm	5:15 pm	1 ¼ hr 1.0 miles	Tableland was like a country hike.  It was flat and a welcome hike.  We passed the famous Henry David Thorough Spring. We had been hiking for near ten hours.
Hunt Trail after TableLand to Katahdin Stream Campground	5:15 pm	10:00 pm	4.5 hrs 4.2 miles	We were now headed down and home, BUT still had 4.2 miles according to the trail sign. The first two miles were a steep down and over rough granite.  We did have some technical areas.  One section had steel handles in the granite to make the descent from huge ledges a bit easier. Took us two hours just to get below the tree line. At 8:30 pm we put on our headlamps.  We used our trekking poles to give us stability through the downward rock strewn path. At 10 pm we reached the ranger check-in station where we signed-on the register that six of us were back. We also met the Park Ranger who had been told by two people who passed us earlier in the dark with headlamps and that we were fine and on our way
TOTAL HOURS	6:45 am	10:00 pm	11 miles  15 hrs!	What a Journey!!!

Knife Edge Trail
We were into our hike for about 6 ½ hrs. of rock strewn, rugged and prolonged steepness on the Dudley trail reaching Pamola Peak, followed by a technical Pamola descent.  We ascended Chimney Peak, and the start of the almost mile high Knife Edge Trail. Whew!

The Knife Edge Trail is perhaps the most spectacular trail in New England – and also the most dangerous. It would take us two hours to cross from Chimney Peak to Baxter Peak.

We were advised to avoid the Knife Edge in stormy weather. The exposure to high winds and lightning is extreme. We were warned once we decide to cross the Knife Edge we MUST CONTINUE ON THE TRAIL. There is no safe way to descend off either side of the mountain ridge. Our weather conditions were perfect!

The mile long Knife Edge path stretches across the South Basin’s headwall between Pamola and Baxter Peak. You get a sense of what these six outdoor enthusiasts experienced crossing this unique narrow mile-high ridge with 1,000-foot plus drops on both sides. At a few points the width of the ridge was close to 10-inches. The views, when we dared a birds-eyed glimpse, are magnificent and certainly breathtaking.

Are You Ready for Katahdin?

A very special thanks goes to Linwood and Betty of Loons Nest (http://www.loonsnest.biz/) for their immense help in preparing this trip.

Click this link to SUBSCRIBE to OutdoorSteve's YouTube Channel

Books by OutdoorSteve.com

References

• www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/
• Bedford Community Television (BCTV):  Knife Edge to Baxter Peak at the Northern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail produced by Steve Priest
• The Wilderness Map Company, Franconia, NH 03580 (I could find no web site on the map I used titled, Katahdin: Baxter State Park, Maine)
• OutdoorSteve Blog Post November 2009: Springer Mountain, Georgia - The Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail
• Appalachian Trail Conservancy
• http://www.loonsnest.biz/

----------------------------------

"Everyone must do something.  I believe I will go outdoors with family and friends"

Steve’s latest book, Outdoor Play "Fun 4 4 Seasons" is available as an e-Book at Kindle ($3.99) and hard copy at Amazon.com ($11.95)

"Everyone should believe in something. I believe I’ll go Outdoors.” 

Steve’s books are available as hardcopy and e-Books at Amazon's Kindle and hardcopy at Harborside Trading Company, 81 Main St, Sunapee, NH, Wild Goose Country Store, 77 Main St, Sunapee, NH, Morgan Hill Bookstore, New London, NH, Bookstore at Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Gift Shop, Lebanon, NH, and Village Sports, New London, NH.

For more of Steve’s outdoor guidebooks and documentary videos, visit OutdoorSteve.com and Outdooradventurers.blogspot.com.

Hiking Gulf Hagas Trail - the Grand Canyon of Maine

The Trail Map We Used with MAP POINTS shown.

(This Map is from The Gulf Hagas Area Brochure received at the KI CheckPoint - Get it!!)

 The picture and text below are taken from a sign on the Gulf Hagas Trail

Gulf Hagas is a spectacular slate gorge carved by northern Maine's West Branch of the Pleasant River.

The river drops 500 feet along this three-mile stretch bordered by towering rock walls.  Loggers who worked in this area in the early 1800’s named the many waterfalls.  It is one of the many wonders found along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT), a continuous footpath extending over 2,100 miles from Maine to Georgia.

Our Hikers
Hiking the Gulf Hagas Trail was recommended to us by Linwood “The Loon” Parsons, our Maine Master Guide for more than Thirty years of wilderness paddles and hikes. These Maine wilderness adventures are well documented in Http://www.outdoorsteve.com. “The Loon” could not join us for this Gulf Hagas Trail Hike, but Betty, Loon’s wife and fellow wilderness guide, assistant, planner, and certainly a dear friend, was happy to join us. Betty had hiked the Gulf Hagas Trail many times.
Tim, John, Dundee, Lennie, Joe, and I made a six-hour drive from Massachusetts and New Hampshire to Brownville, Maine where we had reservations for a cabin on Ebeemee Lake in northern Maine.

The Hike

Our seven-person hike began at KI Jo-Mary Checkpoint where we registered as hikers for the Gulf Hagas trail.  We then drove to the vehicle parking area near where the Appalachian Trail meets the West Branch of the Pleasant River.

The Loon had suggested that hiking The Gulf Hagas Trail required a second pair of footwear. When I questioned him he said, “The very first steps are to ford the Pleasant River, You can hide your wet sneakers on the other bank (for use when you do the return ford) and don your hiking boots.)”

Fording the Pleasant River

Swiftness & depth are keys to whether to ford. If the river is fast-flowing and above knee level then it is potentially dangerous. If it is above thigh height and moving quickly, it is a good idea to either rethink your crossing point and/or make camp and try again the following day. The Gulf Hagas Area Brochure says “ DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS FORD IN HIGH WATER CONDITIONS. USE THE HAY BROOK ROUTE.

A friend asked, “What was a highlight of your trip?” Given we did not finish all of our planned trip, and the uniqueness of this 150-foot moving water crossing on slippery rocks, which we crossed twice (going and returning). Our group has waded many brooks, with and without full clothing, but the Pleasant River was our first of such distance and cautious physical wariness.

Crossing Pleasant River

Following the Appalachian Trail (AT) and Gulf Hagas Trail.

After successfully crossing the Pleasant River without incident and putting our hiking boots back on, we continued our journey along the Appalachian Trail (AT). About a quarter into the well-trodden forest path, we reached a trail junction.

At this point, let me pause and reflect on the sign we passed:  APPALACHIAN TRAIL KATAHDIN-BAXTER PEAK 83.9 MILES. 

First, I must admit, I am not a through-hiker of the AT.  To those who have completed the entire 2,100 miles, earning the title of  "through hiker," I bow to you. I have countless questions and would listen in awe to your stories.  However, four of us in our group have hiked to Baxter Peak on Mt Katahdin, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.  Not only did we reach Baxter Peak, but we also tackled the infamous 1.1-mile KNIFE EDGE TRAIL, often considered the most dangerous hiking trail in New England.  If you're curious about that adventure, I encourage you to read more about our experience on Hiking Maine's Fabled Knife Edge Trail

 Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness Trail: Monson to Abol Bridge

Much of the Gulf Hagas Trail we hiked is part of the AT, beginning in Monson, Maine, and ending at Abol Bridge, a critical supply point.  The term "100 Mile Wilderness" is a "coined" term to alert hikers of the remoteness and extended length of this AT section, where hikers must be prepared to go without resupply for days. 

We continued left, following the white blazes of the AT, and soon passed through a stand of white pine over 150 years old. These magnificent trees were harvested in the 1800’s to become the main masts of sailing ships. A bronze plaque here designates this stand as the “Hermitage,” and all the white pine are now protected. After another mile on the AT, we reach the junction with the Gulf Hagas Trail. (The AT continues northward summiting White Cap mountain in about nine miles). At this junction, we veered left onto the blue-blazed Gulf Hagas loop trail and immediately cross the Gulf Hagas Brook. Choosing the right rocks to step on took some time, but we made it safely across. On the other side, a bronze plaque embedded in a boulder marks the Gulf as part of the National Natural Historic Register. From here, we proceeded left, following Gulf Hagas Brook toward Screw Auger Falls.

The Trail Experience

Unfortunately, we did not finish our planned trail along the Gulf Hagas Rim Trail.  Just before reaching Map Point 4, we decided, due to our late hiking start, to backtrack and return to our Pleasant River crossing.

Below is the trip we had planned, as recommended by Loon, our Maine Master Guide, to reach Map Points 4 and 5.  At that point, we would decide whether to return or to continue to Map Point 6 and then loop back via the Appalachian Trail Cut-off.

As you follow the trail, remember that the path to your right is the return route for completing the loop. There are many short side trails (marked with double blue blazes) leading to scenic overlooks and waterfalls. Be sure to take them all. Between the lower and middle “Jaws” you'll see a protruding slab of rock that resembles an Indian Head. 

About a half mile above Buttermilk Falls you'll encounter a side trail leading off to the right (Map Point 7). Do NOT take this! Continue on the Rim Trail for an additional three-quarters of a mile until you reach the “Head of the Gulf” (Map Point 8). Near this point, you’ll find another trail junction. Bearing left will take you to Moosehead Lake near Beaver Cove, north of Greenville. Bearing right will return you to the AT junction at Gulf Hagas Brook. This return route is much easier and faster than retracing your steps on the Rim Trail.

For anyone attempting this hike, I strongly urge carrying The Gulf Hagas Area Green Brochure shown here for detailed trail descriptions and mile marker viewpoints. The Brochure is found at the KI Checkpoint hut.

A nine-minute video - The Gulf Hagas: The Grand Canyon of Maine

Many Thanks to Linwood and Betty for Our
Twenty Years of Maine Wilderness and Paddling Trips  

As General Douglas MacArthur once said, "We will be Back."

References

·      1. Maine Appalachian Trail Club
https://www.matc.org/

·       2. Appalachian Trail Conservancy
https://appalachiantrail.org/

·       3. Hiking Maine’s Fabled Knife Edge Trail https://outdooradventurers.blogspot.com/search?q=knife

·      4. Exploring Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness
Afoot and afloat in Maine’s most beguiling backcountry https://www.outdoors.org/resources/amc-outdoors/history/exploring-the-100-mile-wilderness/

5. Remembering Trips to Maine's Allagash Wilderness Waterway

https://outdooradventurers.blogspot.com/2017/04/remembering-trips-to-maines-allagash.html

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"Everyone must do something. I believe I will go outdoors with family and friends" S. Priest


Click this link to SUBSCRIBE to OutdoorSteve's YouTube Channel


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