Winter Hike at the Reney Forest

Land stewards Ruth Ann and Andy Eastman recently led a snowshoe hike on the Forest Society reservation they monitor, the Reney Memorial Forest in Grantham. This 413 acre forest supports a diverse mixture of tree species including beech, yellow birch, sugar maple, hemlock and balsam fir, and provides excellent habitat for many native mammals and birds. On the recent hike, the group identified tracks and/or sign from moose, fox, coyote, snowshoe hare, squirrel and mouse. To learn more about the Reney Memorial Forest, download a hiking map, or get driving directions, check out the online Guide To Our Lands here.

Photo credit: Andy Eastman

As at many of the Forest Society's reservations, the parking area at the Reney Memorial Forest is not plowed during the winter, which can make winter access difficult in years of deep snow (like this one!). However, since the Reney Forest property borders the local public library parcel, the Eastmans realized that winter access could be improved by constructing a short spur trail from the Dunbar Free Library to the existing trail network on the forest. After receiving all of the necessary approvals, the Eastmans built the new trail this past fall and it is now officially in service. The snowshoe hike last weekend began and ended at this new trailhead! Nice work Andy and Ruth Ann!

Snowshoe group at the (snowed in) parking lot trailhead
Photo credit: Andy Eastman