Phoebes Nable Mt. Loop 4/15/15

"Spring is Here!" (pictures)

Scott and I hiked the Phoebes Nable Mt. Loop Wednesday evening. The parking lot is now accessible and free of snow! Burrow Farm trail is very muddy with patches of deep snow in the shaded areas. We hiked up to Burrows Field which also was very muddy, the sink-to-the-top-of-your-boots kind of muddy! We then made our way up the new Phoebes Nable Loop trail to check on the melting for our first trail work day May 2 (https://www.facebook.com/events/876178725776111/).

This trail was mostly melted, again with some minor wet spots and some patches of deep snow. We made our way up the trail and over the stone staircase. Stopped for a picture and then up to the summit. There was a crystal clear view as we hung out there for a bit welcoming the greatly anticipated start to Spring! We then made our way down Phoebes Nable Mt. trail (trail conditions the same as aforementioned). All the snow should be melted by end of next week!

Phoebes Nable Mt. Snow Shoe Hike 2/28/15

"Beautiful End to a Rough February" (pictures)

This was our annual snow shoe hike at MMR. The original date of Valentines Day was scrapped due to below zero wind chills. Unfortunately participation dropped from 8 to 2, but we still had a good time! We met at the Coskie's home about a mile up the road from the parking area. The parking area is inaccessible because of all the snow we've had this winter.

Once gathered Scott, Jill, Kate and I made our way to what we call South Trail. This is an unmaintained woods road that begins just before New Portsmouth Rd. changes from tar to gravel. I had broken in and brushed out the trail the previous Wednesday in preparation for the hike so that the going through this first section would be easier. There were many snowshoe hare and mouse tracks along the way and partial views to the Piper Mt. and Beauty ledges. At the junction with Phoebes Nable Mt. trail a porcupine burrow was discovered along with his highway of tracks through the snow.

Now began the hard part. The steep hike up the unbroken Phoebes Nable Mt. trail. Scott led the way most of the climb through very deep snow. Coyote tracks crossed and followed the woods road most of the way. We past yet a known porcupine "hang out area" and found him in his favorite tree, high up on a branch facing the bright, warm sunlight. He had the right idea! We continued on up to the summit of Phoebes Nable Mt.


The summit was a giant mound of snow, the view across the valley to the hills back-dropped by a bright, crisp blue sky. There was no wind and the sun was warm. What a great day! We took a break, taking in the view and taking pictures. Then decided to head back the way we came, so that we wouldn't have to break another 1.5 miles of trail! The hike back was fairly quick.

The hike wasn't without falls, kind-of inevitable when on snow shoes! Kate had the most, and had us laughing (with her, not at her, LOL) as she had a camera in each hand...so when she went down it was elbows out and face first into the fluffy snow. Ahhh, what us photographers put ourselves through! The day ended with the Coskie's inviting us into there home for hot chocolate, sandwiches and hot-out-of-the-oven cookies...YUM! Thanks so much Tony and Joann :)

Phoebes Nable Bush Whack 1/19/15

"Learning How to Walk Again...in Snow Shoes!" (pictures)

Our first time throwing the snow shoes on this season. We parked in the MMR parking lot (not-plowed) and we got our gear on. We headed up Phoebes Nable Mt. Trail. Not even 5 minutes into it I tripped and fell! I then stopped to cut a small tree that had bent into the trail. Went to back up and again tripped but caught myself this time. "you can't back up in snow shoes remember!?" laughed Scott.

After turning right we climbed the first steep hill along this logging road and then up the second hill. Here where the trail goes left we went straight down an unmaintained logging road. We followed moose tracks for a bit and also crossed some coyote tracks. The trail began to descend now and this is where I once-again missed-stepped and fell! Usually Scott is the clumsy one in snow shoes...today it was me I guess!

The road ends at a heavily overgrown section of woods. Here we bushwhacked and began to descend heading back in the opposite direction until we reached the stream. We followed it for a little ways until we found a crossing and hiked up the banking to Burrows Farm Trail. From here it was an easy jaunt back to the parking lot.

2013 Year in Review

Read the MMR 2013 Year in Review! Since I hadn't posted anything on the blog since April 2013 I figured I would do an update all in one post. A lot has happened in the past year! Click the link to our new Web Site HikeTheSummits.com

MMR 4/13/13

"MMR Tour for Forest Notes Article" (pictures)

We were very excited to be contacted by The Forest Society's Communications Manager about including Moose Mountains in the "Forest Notes" June issue. This is the Forest Society's magazine and this addition will be a recreation-oriented issue showcasing some of the Forest Society's properties with great hiking opportunities and the Stewards that manage the trails. We are so happy that Moose Mountains Reservation is being recognized as a great nature and hiking destination after our two years of trying to turn the Reservation around from a vandalism ridden, off-road truckin', non-marked trail ridden, little cared-for property into a family friendly, well kept, well marked and beautiful place this area is! The Land Steward Coordinator and Forester at SPNHF had faith in us to provide the love and attention it needed. And we really fell in love with this place and all it has to offer the community.

After post-poning our Friday date because of rain and snow, we met Brenda at the parking lot at 10am Saturday. She had brought her two boys along for the hike. After introductions we made the hike up to Beauty Ledge, answering questions along the way and talking about the tasks that were accomplished and ones that were still needed. The day was back-and-forth with weather. The sleet event we had Friday left a couple inches of frozen snow on the ground which was a little slippery but we managed fine.

At the ledge we took a nice long break. The three loved the view and loved the trail. It is so rewarding to see how much people enjoy this spot and makes the hard work of building the trail so much more worth it! After our stay we made a loop down Beauty Knob trail and then headed up to the Burrows Field. We pointed out the farm sites and called it a day. It was great to be out and always great to show this place to others and tell them about how wonderful a place t is. Keep an eye out for the "Forest Notes" and read all about Moose Mountains and the other properties the Forest Society makes accessible to hiking. Not a Forest Society member? It's easy and you can help with conserving our precious forests for recreation and sustainable forestry for future generations to enjoy and benefit from! Join NOW!

Beauty Ledge and Ridge Line 3/9/13

"Sign's of Spring" (pictures)

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!