2 hours, 2 snowshoes and a whole lot of Zen snowshoeing at Smarts Brook
Updated: Dec 30, 2024
SNOWSHOEING – SMARTS BROOK, THORNTON, NH
February, 2022
Smarts Brook
This trail network, close to Waterville Valley, is great for multiple types of activities due to its low grade and easy accessibility. During winter, the area often gets lots of the white powdery stuff making it ideal for both snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. During summer, there is a great swimming hole right near the trail. For those with young children, this could be a destination in and of itself, located only a mile from the trailhead. For trailblazers, it’s a nice place to cool off before heading on. This area is also a popular among trail runners. We were there in winter, and we had visions of snowshoeing through the ungroomed forest on our minds. This place did not disappoint.
We did the approximately three-mile loop, starting at the Pine Flat trailhead at the parking lot and connecting to the Yellow Jacket trail and then the Smart Brook Trail and finally to the TriTown trail which ends at the parking lot. There are several trail systems in this area, so you can extend the length of your adventure by any number of miles. This trip, which was done leisurely, took us approximately two hours to complete. The valley had just received a good, dry snowfall the evening prior. So, there was about five inches of soft snow on top of packed snow available. We arrived midday and, although clearly enjoyed by many that morning, the trails were still fluffy. You are in the National Forest and the area is thick with pines and hardwoods. The trees were blanketed in the soft, white snow. With cold temperatures and little wind getting through, I suspected it would stay picturesque for a while. Occasionally, something or someone would brush up against a branch, launching a cascade of snowflakes through the air reminiscent of a snow globe scene. It was pure beauty. And peaceful. Although located along Rt 49, the density of the forest mitigated the sound of the motor vehicles passing by, likely carrying skiers to Waterville Valley Resort down the road. What you hear most of the time is the sound of your footsteps, your breath and the water flowing from Smarts Brook when nearby.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is such an accessible experience. It requires little gear and can be done without learning any new skill, other than strapping on your snowshoes. Locations good for snowshoing are ubiquitous and often free of charge. You can find a hiking trail such as Smarts Brook or simply go to a park or local ball field. The activity is also great exercise. Those worried about the cold will likely not be concerned about that for long. It does take some effort to walk through snow, even with snowshoes. You have to lift your legs higher and push down a little harder. It’s kind of like being on a stair stepper machine – except your not on a machine! You are outside enjoying nature and fresh, crisp air. And you can go at your own pace. For me, snowshoeing is a great way of sauntering through the woods while getting a cardiovascular workout.
Those not familiar with snow activities may wonder what you even need snowshoes. Can’t you just take a walk in snow boots? Well, yes, but you are going to get a lot more tired and a lot more wet. I recently made that mistake on what was supposed to be an easy jaunt with a friend to check out a hiking area. We got out of the car and walked about a half mile down the road to the start of the hiking trail. On the way there we noticed there was a cut-through the woods and decided – even though there was a good amount of snow – that we would take that trail back to the car. We had snow boots, but no snowshoes with us. The snow was hard crusted with a top layer of ice and I initially thought it might hold my weight. Well, I was partially wrong. It held it on some steps, but not others. This resulted in a surprise “punch through” up to my knee at times and up to my thigh at others. Each step produced a bit of anxiety to be followed by either sweet relief or a slight yelp depending on the result. Our walk turned into a safe version of Russian Roulette. But it wasn’t exactly safe. Although we were laughing hysterically at each other, either one of us could have easily pulled or strained a muscle punching through or extracting ourselves from snow. And I can’t tell you how wet and cold my feet became since the snow was packed down in my boots. By the time we got back to the car we were exhausted. We both agreed not to do that again and had a newfound appreciation for our snowshoes.
Following our Smart Brook excursion, we brushed the snow off ourselves, loaded the snowshoes into the back of the car and headed to Coyote Grill, just down the road.
COYOTE GRILL
Although a spacious restaurant, the seating areas apart from the bar are divided into small sections allowing for an intimate dining experience. The dark barn wood and low lighting from the many small chandelier sconces along the walls enhance that feeling. The menu is much more sophisticated than the restaurant’s name suggests, with a focus on seafood and game meat. All meat is cut in-house. Chef Shawn Stout is picky (self-described) when it comes to sourcing food for his restaurant. He works with a lot of local farms for both produce and game meat. It’s a nice change of pace from the many pubs I frequently visit. If you are lucky to be near the large windows, Waterville Valley and the mountains surrounding it are on full display. The bar area is more spacious and lively for those seeking a more communal meal.
My husband and I ordered cocktails and the New England clam chowder which we both thought was delicious. My drink of choice on this visit was the Triotini, made with Bully Boy vodka, blood orange, passionfruit and pomegranate. It was perfect and not too sweet as my husband incorrectly predicted. If you’re unsure, their house sangrias are also a good bet. I don’t often talk about the food, but on a previous visit, my lobster salad with tomato exceeded my expectations, not having seen a picture of the dish that I later learned was displayed on the restaurant’s Facebook page. Instead of the familiar mounded salad mix, I was presented with a generous amount of large claw meat, lightly dressed, over thick-sliced in-season tomatoes drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Simple yet divine. I vowed to return for another prior to the lobster season’s end.
The Reason to Visit: Waterville Valley views and consistently good food
Fun Fact: Coyote Grill started on December 15, 1995, as a smaller establishment, with a capacity of 65. Several renovations later, it can now accommodate 165. One of the expansions involved deconstructing a 200-year-old barn from Rumney, NH and re-building it on location.
When You Go: Call for reservations and try to snag a Mountain View table
Coyote Grill, 98 Valley Road, Waterville Valley
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