This weekend, we headed to Zealand River to find a cool place to spend the afternoon. We parked at the Zealand River day use picnic area, paid the $5 parking fee, and started walking up the road.

We walked on the road, crossed the Zealand River, and quickly came to the Flat Iron cross country ski trail.

We wanted to walk along the river so we turned left at the fork. The trail immediately goes through a recently logged area but then skirts the opening on a lovely wide trail.

The lightly used trail was covered in moss and we enjoyed walking along to the sound of the Zealand River. Magnificently large red spruce and white pines towered over us as we checked out a few riverside access points, but we were in search of a particular spot.

Just before a bridge and a steep incline, we popped out onto the river exactly across from where we had hung out a few weeks ago (Zealand Valley Railroad Trail).

The rock and sand bar here is impressive and we could only imagine the great water forces that had pushed all of it into place. Beyond this bar, another exposed rock and sand bar led us right to the Ammonosuc River.

We had found the confluence of Zealand River and Ammonosuc River.

We enjoyed the next hour, wading in the rivers, skipping stones, exploring the nearby woods, and nature journaling.

Threatening clouds started to roll in so we headed back to the trail. We continued to follow the cross-country ski trail up a steep  rise onto a spine. The trail turned, and we knew we were heading back to the east on a straight railroad grade. Andrew wondered if the elevated causeway –  railroad grade was totally manmade or made from remnants of an ancient esker. We ascended quickly and noted the steep drop offs on both sides of the trail. As it began to level off the land widened around us, and we descended.

We debated whether this would be the direction to ski the trail or perhaps the opposite way. Soon enough we were back at the trail fork to complete the loop.

This was a perfect, quiet exploration among the hustle and bustle of summer tourists in the White Mountains region.