Cape Cod 2023: Cliff Pond Trail at Nickerson State Park – 5/5/23 – 3 miles
A weather forecast of another cloudy day, possible light rain = decision time for Plan B.
Our original idea to bike on a Cape Cod rail trail didn’t appeal to me, but Jim isn’t put off by a little rain. We quickly performed the McCarthy Pivot: Jim will bike as planned and I’ll hike at local Nickerson State Park in Brewster.
We were up early in the morning but had to wait until the bike rental shop opened at 10:00 a.m. To pass the time we walked a nice loop around “our” neighborhood, past Sheep Pond where our Airbnb host has SUP’s and kayaks for our use (too cold today, but thanks!)
We visited Snow Owl, the local coffee shop, then headed to the bike shop. Not open yet…if no one shows up by 10:15 a.m. then Jim will go hiking with me. At 10:14 a.m. the owner came cruising in. Jim got his rental started (the rail trail was right across the street) and I hightailed myself to Nickerson State Park armed with a paper copy of the park map from our Airbnb and the trails downloaded on my GAIA app.
In summer season, access to everything on Cape Cod costs money, beaches, state parks, etc. We were still a week early so Nickerson State Park was not yet charging $30 for a non-resident day pass (don’t take NC's free parks for granted!)
The Cliff Pond Trail loop is the centerpiece of this impressive park. There are several other ponds and many other hiking trails, but this was the best choice for my time frame. I walked the loop counterclockwise. The trail skirts the water’s edge in places and goes up into the woods at times, almost always within sight of the water.
Very little contrast today between the flat gray sky and the pond, but the water is purportedly very clean and I could feel the appeal of a camping, paddling and swimming weekend.
Easy to get to the water from the campsites
state parks that are “loved to death” – but what is the remedy?
I passed a fishing committee early in my hike, fishing poles set into the sand as the men (all men) discussed whatever it is fisher folk discuss. They politely said hello but didn’t ask questions of me coming along with my daypack and hiking poles.
No place to pee! I was as discreet as I could be, given all the coffee I’d consumed while waiting to start the day.
I crossed paths with locals from time to time, nice to see people out. For them the weather was probably normal, but I wanted some blue skies after so many days of chilly wind.
Another fishing conference
After my hike I was early for my rendezvous time with Jim, so I stopped at the local Brewster Bookstore and bought a book with an intriguing title: Cape Cod Camino Way: Walking With A Purpose by local author Peggy Jablonsi. I read it after I returned home – local history and sites with a social justice background. Wish I’d had it prior to our visit.
The rain never materialized. Back to home base to freshen up, followed by a stroll through the town of Chatham – blue skies at last! We’ll drink to that!
“Make your heart like a lake with a calm,
still surface and great depths of kindness.”
~Lao Tzu
