A couple of weeks ago, before the pre-Thanksgiving storm dumped a foot of snow in our area, we went out for short walk at The Dells Conservation and Picnic Area, maintained by the Littleton Conservation Commission.  We have driven by this several times now (Dells Road in Littleton, NH) and we were curious about what we might find, so we bundled up on a Sunday morning and headed over.  We also just bought a new backpack carrier for Alden to sit in and we were anxious to try it out.  He had outgrown all the other carriers that we had, you might have seen pictures of them in posts over the past year.  He helped pick out this new one himself, and seemed to really enjoy taking a ride in it. 

The Dells Conservation and Picnic Area

Here we are ready to go on a little adventure.

We thought we might be the only ones around since it was early on a cold Sunday, but there were several dog walking groups using the place while we were there.

The wide open trail/roadway through the Conservation Area.

The large open trail/road is easy to follow and easy to walk several people across which is probably why it is a popular dog walking spot for locals.  We did find the one “nature trail” that was cut to be more of a hiking trail and walked it in both directions.  The entire conserved area has many large pine and hemlock trees, as well as a nice wetland area with beaver evidence.  We noticed how nestled into the community this conservation area is when we reached the property boundaries in all directions; finding a cemetery, DOT shed, and houses.

Stone steps lead both down to a bridge and then up and out to get across a ravine.

Andrew and Alden stop to pose after checking out a large hemlock tree.

Andrew and Alden walk stone steps down to the frozen wetland.

We spent an hour or so exploring all the trails, but it was just enough to get out and breath some fresh cold air and to try out the new backpack.

Andrew and Alden on the ravine bridge.