MMR Plowing Fund

Moose Mtns Parking Lot Plowing Fund

Hi everyone! We’ve had several inquiries about having the parking lot plowed at Moose Mtns for winter access. While the Forest Society normally does not plow its parking areas for winter use, they’ve set up a fund to build up enough reserve to have this done occasionally. If you are a winter user of the property and would like to see it get plowed, please consider making a donation to this fund.

How can you donate?

You can send a check to The Forest Society with a note “Moose Mtns Reservation Plowing Fund.” Send this to

The Forest Society

54 Portsmouth St.

Concord, NH 03301

OR

You can make an online donation. Please go to their Donations Page:

http://www.forestsociety.org/howyoucanhelp/other-donations.asp

Please be sure to indicate in the “Other Information and Instructions” box that this is for the “Moose Mtns Plowing Fund.”

 

Thanks so much for your support and enjoy your visit to Southern NH's largest, undeveloped forest!

Phoebes Nable Woods Roads 3/23/13

"Exploring the North East Side of Phoebes" (pictures)

Scott and I did some "off trail" snow shoeing today. There is so much for us to still explore at MMR and the myriad of logging and skid roads allows ample opportunity to do that. And it's so easy to trek through the woods on snow shoes! We hiked up Burrows Farm trail and at the bridge went left onto an old logging road along the brook. It soon turned left climbing at a moderate grade. The climb continued up past a rock wall, old oak trees and connected to the logging roads we had been on in the summer that connect to our Phoebes Nable Mt. trail.

We took a left and sure enough connected to the upper junction. This would make a great trail instead of our original plan of the Phoebes Link, which would come straight up very steeply from the bridge. This route is more gradual and makes an awesome loop option. We will have to mark it out and get approval, perhaps a project for the Autumn season. We then took the "Phoebes Link trail" down to the view across to Beauty and Boulder ledges. Here we found some wolf tracks in the snow. I have been seeing a lot of wolf activity here at the property! We continued left down a woods road then another left back up to the upper road.

Here we retraced our steps down to an intersection. We went down another logging road towards the field before losing the road. We then cut through the woods to the brook and followed it back towards the bridge. The view from this side, of the rock wall built along the river and the mill site is pretty neat. We also passed by a large stone erratic before coming back to the bridge and heading back to the parking lot. Always fun exploring MMR!

Beauty Ledge Group Hike 2/16/13

"The Perfect Snow Shoe Hike" (pictures) (more pictures)

The day started with mild temperatures and a fresh couple inches of snow on the ground and on the trees. The sky soon broke into blue patches and the sun began to shine warmly through. It was going to be a fabulous day in the woods! We arrived at the freshly plowed MMR parking lot to find our group already there getting their gear on. We were joined by our two friends Marty and Jill whom we have formed a friendship with at Moose Mountains. Also joining us were two fellow Forest Society Land Stewards John and his wife Lise who take care of the Parker trail on Mt. Monadnock. They had brought along their friend Carol. It was a neat scenario, Scott and I 2011 Land Steward Grads, John and Lise 2012, Jill soon-to-be 2013 and Marty hopefully can get in for 2014.

This was the first hike we would be leading on our own. We began shortly after 10am, heading up the Burrows Farm trail. We made a stop at the Hall Spring where I was able to expose a Woolly Snake Skin Plantain from the snow to show a leaf to the group. We carried on now onto the snow mobile trail and we headed up North trail. After passing the Piper Mt. trail junction and moving over for a few snow mobiles we arrived at the Beauty Ledge trail-head. After a break we began the unbroken trail of deep snow, Scott at the lead. It was slow going!

After making the steep climb up to Snapping Turtle Rock we took a break. Then it was onward around the ledge, jutting out from the hillside above us. The woods along here are so beautiful and quite. We were all pointing out bark scrapings made by porcupines, birds nests in the trees and animal prints in the snow. One more steep climb we passed the Beauty Knob trail junction and made our way across Beauty Knob. Here a curious Chickadee greeted us and seemed awfully friendly.

We now made the descent down to the ledge. The reaction from the three that hadn't yet been here was the same as when Scott and I first found this ledge. It didn't disappoint! Even Jill said it's different everytime and is always a wonderful sight. We carefully climbed down to the ledge, posed for a group photo and it was time for lunch! We hung out there for a good half hour. Talking, snapping pictures, taking in the view and this perfect day. It doesn't get any better than this! As we packed up the clouds were now closing in and the wind began to pick up a little ahead of Sundays not-so-pleasant weather.

We carefully made the descent back the way we came and down at the Burrows Farm trail junction decided to call it a day. We arrived back at the parking lot at 2:30pm. It was a great day and a great group of people. All enjoying the hike and the beauty of Moose Mountains. We all seemed to jive well together; nice easy and enjoyable pace; great conversation and a love of the forest. We had a few wipe-outs, the most notable was Carol. As she was coming back out of Beauty Ledge trail she exclaimed "this trail was beautiful", and not a second later cur-plunk! Down she went face-first. Luckily no harm done and we got a good laugh of it! Hopefully she comes back :) Thank you all for a memorable and wonderful Snow Shoe Hike!

Snow Shoe at MMR

"Skid Roads and Bowser Pond" (pictures)

Phoebes Nable Mt. Loop 2/10/13

"Breakin' Trail After Nemo" (pictures)

After spending Friday evening into Saturday shoveling to keep up with Winter Storm Nemo, we ended with 32+ inches of snow! With Sunday warm, calm and sunny what better thing to do then snow shoe! Despite being a little worn out and sore from so mouch shoveling Scott and I headed off to MMR. We got to the parking area at 12:30pm. As we got our gear together a Connecticut car, after some issues with parking (lot is not plowed out and the driveway of the log house should not be blocked in any way) parked along side us after I moved to allow room for them. Looks like they were out for a hike as well. We began our hike by ascending Phoebes Nable Mt. trail from the parking area.

The snow was 2-3 feet deep and was light and fluffy. We made the long hike up the steep hills on this side of the mountain, snow drifts were particularly tough to get through. Scott led the way up to the second junction, than I took over to the flat upper section where Scott lead the rest to the summit. Views as we trudged up this trail were wonderful across to Beauty Ledge and along the ridge to Piper Ledge. Glimpses now-and-then below to parts of the woods road where we would see and hear snow mobiles passing through. We reached the summit at 1:30pm. It was a very crisp, clear view today and it was lovely standing there in the sun taking in the view.

We then headed down the other side where we passed the Connecticut couple who was ascending in cross-country skies. Must have been some work out ascending the steep trails of Phoebes Nable Mt! Probably a blast coming down, hope it wasn't too steep on the other side! We introduced ourselves and chatted shortly. We then headed down onto Burrows Farm trail down to the field. Snow mobiles had left their marks across the field, not exactly wise given the hard sumac stumps left behind from being mowed this past fall. Despite the deep snow they were jutting up from where the tracks were and I can only assume that it can't be good to be riding on such rough terrain.

We crossed the field and rounded the back side of Burrows Cemetery avoiding a large group of snow mobilers who were gathered around on their sleds just chilling. We took the un-broken haul road down past the Stevens Cemetery where we connected back onto Burrows Farm trail. It was an easy walk now along the groomed snow mobile trail, being passed by 6 or so snow mobiles. After the North road junction the trail returns to strictly foot traffic and it was an easy walk along what must have been groomer tracks that had come up the road to groom the sled trails. We ended our loop at 2:30pm.

Snow Shoe Hike 2/16/13

The Forest Society's MMR Land Stewards Jason & Scott, will lead a snow shoe hike on Saturday, 10am. Due to parking restrictions we will most likely be utilizing the South trail .7 miles down New Portsmouth road before the tar changes to dirt (we will be there early to direct traffic).
See the many natural and historic spots at MMR and enjoy 2, 180 degree views and a breathtaking view from the Burrows field. See animal tracks, possibly wildlife and travel on new trails and even areas that are off the beaten... path!

 *This will be a strenuous hike containing some short steep sections,
please be capable of a day long snow shoe hike and have proper winter gear and food. No pets please.
Trip time is estimated and may vary, we will change our intended route due to weather or should the hike take longer.
In the event of bad weather we will reschedule this hike for the following day Saturday 2/23.
**Please email me if you will be attending (hikethesummits@gmail.com) or click the "going" icon on this event page. Hope to see you there!
Find directions on the MMR blog> http://moosemountainsreservation.blogspot.com/2012/02/mmr-map-directions.html