Archive for the 'Lower Kimball Lake' Category

A Quiet Paddle on the Lake

by Suzie Laskin

I am not a “morning person”. I am not usually awake at 6 AM. But this morning, the sun was bright, the sky was blue and the dogs were licking my face. I was awake and I knew this was the morning I’d been waiting for. I needed to get an early morning photograph of my new listing on Lower Kimball Lake. That’s the time when the sun shines on the house from the lake side, when I could get the perfect shot I needed to show this home in the best light.  So I loaded up my kayak and was out on the lake by 7AM.

What a beautiful morning it was-clear, still water, cool morning breezes and no sounds but the birds. I was hoping to see a moose, but no such luck this morning. I got my shots of the home and then enjoyed paddling across Lower Kimball Lake in the early morning. The view of the surrounding mountains was remarkable. I was the only one out there and it was a real treat. Maybe I should get up early more often.

Kayak on the Lake

by Suzie Laskin

When I tell people that I live in Chatham, New Hampshire, the response is usually, “Where’s that?”  Most people have never heard of Chatham.  Chatham is geographically large, but there are probably more moose than humans.  It is predominantly the White Mountain National Forest, with fewer than 300 residents. It’s pretty incredible that in this day and age,  there exists a town with so few residents.

I moved here in 1991 from Philly, a city of several million, so being in such a small rural town is something that my friends from “away” think is very strange, indeed.  They wonder what on earth I do there. I love the peace and tranquility of living in the forest. I enjoy cross-country skiing right out my door, hiking  the mountain trails or walking the forested logging roads. I enjoy paddling my kayak on a warm summer day on the nearby lakes, and I love the feeling of being away from it all. Although Chatham is way off the beaten track, between Fryeburg, ME and East Conway, NH, it’s only a 20 minute drive to North Conway where I work and shop.

Chatham also borders on Jackson, NH, but you’d never know that because “you can’t get there from here” unless you’re on foot and enjoy bushwacking through paths that have not been maintained in years. The annual Town Meeting at the old Chatham Town Hall is always interesting. The old building is used only a few times a year – Town Meeting night and Election days.

Chatham is beautiful!  Like many other towns in New Hampshire, it is divided into North, South, and Center. To get from South Chatham to Center or North Chatham, you  drive through Maine. The drive takes you along a scenic back road, through forests, past  The Basin and then to gorgeous Evans Notch where the views of the Baldface Mountain Range are spectacular.  There are an abundance of hiking trails along this route.

Chatham has some truly lovely mountain lakes and ponds.  The Cold River flows from North Chatham.  Province Brook flows into Lower Kimball Lake.  Both Lower and Upper Kimball Lakes are lovely small ponds that are peaceful and quiet.  Upper Kimball doesn’t allow motorboats. Lower Kimball Lake is a little bit larger, and although also very quiet, it does allow motorboats and water skiing. Both these lakes have outstanding views of the mountains to the west.

Mountain Pond, which is perfectly described by its name, has a lovely walking trail around its perimeter and a lean-to shelter. Mountain Pond is a wonderful, quiet place for serene contemplation. If you wish to canoe or kayak, you’ll have to portage your boat for about 1/2 mile to get to the pond from the end of Town Hall Road that begins off of Route 16A in Intervale.

One of my favorite walks is in Center Chatham, following alongside Langdon Brook with its magnificent waterfall. The old logging road alongside the brook takes you up hill for about a mile and a half, and then opens up to a beautiful view of the Baldface mountains.

If you dream of a peaceful, tranquil lifestyle away from the more populated towns of Mt. Washington Valley, I have several lovely properties that might pique your interest.

Beautiful lake views from this year-round home on Lower Kimball Lake

Charming Pine-Paneled Cottage on Upper Kimball Lake

by Suzie Laskin 

Many people dream of owning a vacation home on a quiet, peaceful lake, perhaps not too far from home. A place they where they can escape on weekends, put their feet up, get away from it all, and just….relaxxx….

 Does that dream sound familiar but unattainable? The price of a waterfront home is too much to even consider…. 

Well then, consider this: a cozy, three bedroom house, with a fireplace and a screen porch, living room and dining room windows facing the beautiful lake and a big deck all around. A sandy beach with gradual shallow entry into the water makes it safe for swimming. The only sounds you’ll hear are the calling loons and the rustling of the wind…All this on a quiet, little-known lake that is situated on the Maine – New Hampshire border, for just $275,000. 

Lower Kimball Lake: small, quiet and peaceful. The lake is about 300 acres with little development. Water skiing is permitted, but you’ll more likely see canoers and kayakers enjoying its waters. Great fishing too. 

Serene, Quiet Lower Kimball Pond

If you’re inclined to live there year-round, the house is winterized and in the great Fryeburg school district.  For more information about this lovely property,  click here

Lovely Year-Round cottage on the shore of Lower Kimball Lake in Chatham, NH

July 15, 2009

By Suzie Laskin

In my last blog, I wrote about a few of my favorite hikes in the White Mountains. This time, I’m going to let you in on a couple of my favorite secret and not-so-secret swimming holes in the eastern White Mountains and western Maine.

Weston’s Beach is a well-known beach on the Saco River in Fryeburg, ME. There is a beautiful large, sandy beach where you can sit and relax in your beach chair for the day. There is a parking lot so it can get a little crowded, but nevertheless, it’s a wonderful place to swim and relax. From the Fryeburg Post Office, take 113N. You will cross the bridge over the Saco River and see the parking area for the beach on your right.

Rattlesnake Pool If you are looking for a spot that is very much off the beaten track, head up route 113 North from Fryeburg to Evans Notch. The drive alone will take you through beautiful farmlands and countryside. As you drive north, you’ll pass through Stow, ME, North Chatham, NH and then back into Stow, ME again. Evans Notch is spectacular, one of the most scenic and little-known places in the area.  The Blueberry Mountain Trail, as its name would suggest, is loaded with blueberries and has great views of the Baldface Ridge and the hills around the Cold River valley. Take the Stone House Trail, and in about a mile, you’ll come to a gorge with a deep pool in Rattlesnake Brook.  Rattlesnake Pool is like a quite, peaceful swimming pool–it  is just breathtaking! The water cascades over moss covered rocks into a deep pool. What a great spot for a dip on a hot, summer day.

Emerald Pool This hike is about as easy as they come. It’s a lovely walk through the forest, a great hike for the whole family. The kids will really like it because they can go swimming. Emerald Pool is a gorgeous swimming hole in the Charles Brook. On a hot summer day it can be quite busy, but certainly not as busy as the more well-known spots along the Kancamagus Highway. There is a “jump rock” where the more brave-at-heart can jump off a rock from about 10 feet above the water into the beautiful, deep, very cold, emerald pool below. On a hot day, there’s nothing like the exhilaration of jumping into Emerald Pool!  The trailhead location is about 14 miles North of Fryeburg Maine on Route 113.   The parking lot is located on the East (right) side of the road and the trailhead is about 20 yards further North on the West (left) side of the road.It takes about 15 minutes each direction and there is a very minimal elevation gain. The trail is about 3/4 mile each direction.

Langdon Brook Out in Center Chatham, NH you’ll find beautiful Langdon Brook. I love to walk my dogs along the dirt logging road that runs alongside the brook and stop at the waterfall for a dip. The road runs alongside the brook for several miles and it’s a beautiful scenic walk. From Fryeburg, take 113N to the old Stow Corner Store (now defunct). Continue straight ahead (no longer on 113N) at the Stow Store, and you will be back in Chatham, NH. Continue on past the Chatham Town Hall, onto Toad Hill Road until you see the brook. Park and begin your walk along the Langdon Brook and in a short distance you’ll come to a beautiful waterfall.