THE WEIRS TIMES BOATING & RECREATION GUIDE — Spring / Summer 2012
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Kilburn loop trail at Pisgah State Park in Chesterfield, NH. PHOTO BEN KIMBALL, NATURAL HERITAGE BUREAU, DIVISION OF FORESTS
GREAT HIKING IDEAS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
This feature provided by The Appalachian Mountain Club
Old Growth Forest in New Hampshire
Pisgah State Park Few corners of our Northeastern
forests have escaped the touch of plow, axe, or storm. However, pockets of old growth forest, scat- tered throughout the region, re- main tucked in areas inhospitable to logging and sheltered from wind. These stands can contain a diverse mix of trees, some cen- turies old. Pisgah State Park, in the south- western corner of New Hamp- shire, covers 21 square miles. It’s just 100 miles from Boston and 200 from Manhattan, and it’s New England’s second largest state park, behind only Baxter in Maine. It’s also home to sev- eral old growth stands. Much of Pisgah’s western half was never cleared for agricultural use, and from here hikers can tour some of the oldest forests in the region.
Start from the parking area on
Route 63 between Chesterfield and Hinsdale, N.H., and hike east on the dirt Kilburn Road for about 1 mile. Stay left when the trail forks at Kilburn Pond, and continue east on the Pisgah Mountain Trail. As you climb the western slope of Pisgah Mountain, take a look to your right. Here is one of the park’s old growth stands. Much of it toppled in the Hurricane of 1938, but some old hemlocks survived. Turn right on the Pisgah Ridge Trail to reach the summit. There you can see Mount Monadnock in the distance before continuing along the same trail, looping around the southern flank of the mountain. At the junction, turn left onto the Reservoir Trail and head toward the ridge pro- tecting North Round Pond. In 1.1 miles you’ll reach a junc-
tion with the North Ponds Trail and, just 0.1 mile further, a spur trail that descends to North Round Pond. Explore both paths to see some of Pisgah’s oldest and grandest trees. On the southern face of the ridge, the forest was
obliterated by the Hurricane of 1938, but on the northern face and down toward the shore stand stately white pine, beech, red oak, black birch, and hemlock trees. Some of the latter measure 4 feet in diameter and are approximate- ly 350 years old. Once you’re done exploring,
continue north on the Reservoir Trail, then stay left on the Baker Pond Trail, and left again on the Pisgah Ridge Trail to complete the circuit of Pisgah Mountain. Turn right on the Pisgah Mountain Trail to head back to the parking area. If you’re interested in exploring
other old growth forests, check out these recommended hikes. Distance: 8.5 miles
Hiking To History Great Routes To Ruins And Relics
Mount Moosilauke Warren, NH.
This popular hike leads to a bald summit on the western edge
of the White Mountains. The Gorge Brook Trail, starting from the Ravine Lodge, climbs gradu- ally alongside rushing waters. Given the view from the summit toward Kinsman and Franconia ridges and the Presidentials, it’s obvious why someone once built a hotel up here. The Prospect House’s heyday came in the late 19th century. Remnants of it, and other structures, dot the summit. Return on the same trail, or follow the Carriage Road to the Snapper Trail.
Distance: 7.4 miles round-trip.
Mount Major Alton, NH.
This small (1,786-foot) peak
offers some of the best views in southern New Hampshire. The Mount Major Trail climbs right out of the parking area on Route 11 and reaches the summit in 1.5 miles. At the top you can lounge around the remains of an old stone hut—built for the protec- tion of hikers—and gaze across the wide expanse of Lake Win- See HIKING on 31
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