I've covered a lot of ground in New Hampshire during the eight years I've been living here as both a hiker and nature lover and editor/author of guidebooks for hikers. I've been very fortunate to see a lot of the hidden corners of the state that a lot of folks get to visit. But that doesn't mean I know every single spot in the state. Far from it! That's why I was excited to recently learn of Gilman Pond Conservation Area which, as it turns out, is one of the best short hikes in Alton. To be fair, I'd driven by the main trailhead for this area before but didn't stop to explore at the time. As such, it pretty much faded from memory until I saw a friend had been there recently and he suggested I check it out.

Gilman Pond Conservation Area's main attraction is its namesake boggy pond, which spans 48 acres. This alone is scenic and depending on the time of day can be a great spot for wildlife viewing opportunities.

Tucked away in the woods along the northeast side of the pond, however, is some interesting geology you might not expect. On this side of the pond, a steep slope rises to the 935-foot summit of a small hill. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has no official name for this hill but it is sometimes informally known as "Gilman Pond Hill."

This slope is comprised of craggy, terraced cliffs that rise from shoreline to summit. A short hiking trail system on the hill offers hikers a chance to travel along the rocky base of these cliffs or along the top, where there are some limited views over the pond. For me, any views were secondary as I was thoroughly enjoying the cliffs and marveling at how their layers of rock were stacked upon each other. If there are any geologists in the audience, I'd love to know more about the processes behind this.

Hikers may also notice cut blocks of granite along David Lawrence Trail, which runs along the shore of the pond below the cliffs. These remnants tumbled down from another interesting feature of this hill. At the summit is an abandoned granite quarry. Unfortunately, I couldn't find much information about this quarry and when it was in operation. If you visit the quarry site, you'll see several memorial plaques for members of the Seavey family, who I assume were the owners.

All in all, this was a pleasant surprise of a hike, and now that I know it's here, I'm sure I will return. If you want to check it out too, give the Town of Alton website a visit. You can download a trail map, which also shows the parking locations. (I hiked in from the north but you can also approach from the south). It's surely one of the best short hikes in Alton that is also for anyone with a keen interest in geology. Happy exploring!

And if Gilman Pond isn't cool enough, try visiting a pond you can walk on top of!