Forest Society Land Stewards BLOG: December 2011

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Winter on Gap Mountain?

[Post by Gap Mountain Land Steward Hiel Lindquist]

The first day of winter on Gap Mountain was quite warm. Hard to believe we had over 4 feet of snow this season already as there is no snow left anywhere on the 22 day of December. It was almost tee shirt weather for the hike up the south trail. Nice veiws off the summit today and with the low clouds and falling temperatures, maybe there will be some snow in the near future?

Until then, I want to wish everyone at the Forest Society and all the Land Stewards a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !!!

There is not much left of the old ski tow building and equipment. Easily visable just off the south trail (look for a T on a pine tree near the first steep section) (Photo: H.Lindquist)

Mt. Monadnock in all its glory, from the middle summit of Gap Mountain (photo: H. Lindquist)

Gap Mountain South Peak on the left and the twin white spires in Fitzwilliam village on the right (photo: H.Lindquist)

Looking southeast from Gap Mountain towards Pack Monadnock - North and South Peaks (photo: H.Lindquist)

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Early Winter Ashuelot River Headwaters Hike

Ashuelot River Headwaters Forest (photo: S.Lichty)

Fourteen hikers made the trek up Silver Mountain on the Ashuelot River Headwaters Forest last weekend as part of a land steward-led hike co-sponsored by the Harris Center for Conservation Education and the Forest Society. Ben Haubrich (steward for High Five Reservation and Hedgehog Mountain Reservation, both in Deering) and Susan Lichty (steward for Ashuelot River Headwaters Forest in Lempster) worked together to plan and implement this early winter event. Many of the participants were Forest Society members, but not all of them had experienced this gem of a hike before, especially on such a clear and beautiful day. The bare summit of Silver Mountain offers stunning panoramic views from which hikers can easily discern iconic NH peaks like Mounts Monadnock, Sunapee, and Kearsarge. When the hike concluded last Saturday, most of the participants opted for an "extension" - which was a visit to the nearby Silver Mountain Winery that sells locally-produced hard ciders and fruit wines and offers tastings to the public. A nice way to warm up from the outdoor chill!