Forest Society staff had so much fun interacting with people on our Forest Reservations during Five Hikes in Five Weeks this Fall, and we can't stop thinking about it! All of the hikes were well attended with hardy, engaging and thoughtful participants who were eager to learn about New Hampshire's forests and share their knowledge as well.
Two hikes per day were scheduled at each of five locations across the state: Merrimack River Floodplain in Concord, McCabe Forest in Antrim, Ashuelot River Headwaters Forest (Silver Mountain) in Lempster, Morse Preserve (Pine Mountain) in Alton, and Powder Major's Forest in Madbury/Durham/Lee. We meandered peaceful riverbanks, discovered mushrooms sprouting on the damp forest floor, took in 360-degree mountain vistas, and delved into past land use history. We discovered a poisonous blister beetle, sampled an indian cucumber root, examined bear claw marks on a red pine, and saw a bald eagle soar just overhead along the Merrimack River. So many amazing moments!
Many of the 153 participants attended more than one of the five outings- some even completed all five hikes- and felt like old friends by the conculsion of the series. Also, as a result of the series, thirty three hikers became new members of the Forest Society! Thank you to those of you who came to hike with us, and if you missed it, please join us in 2020! Check out the slideshow of the Fall 2019 series below.
Five Hikes in Five Weeks is a partnership between the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and WMUR-TV. We greatly appreciate financial support for Five Hikes provided by New Hampshire Electric Co-op, Inc.
Photos in the slideshow below were taken by Kate Wilcox, Dave Anderson, Carrie Deegan, and Jan Denson.
Hikers get ready to head out from the Conservation Center. Photo: Kate Wilcox
Carrie Deegan with an enormous Berkley's polypore mushroom, Merrimack River Floodplain Photo: Kate Wilcox
Linden Rayton talks about past land use along the Merrimack River. Photo: Carrie Deegan
Bottle gentian along the Merrimack River. Photo: Kate Wilcox
Merrimack River floodplain. Photo: Carrie Deegan
Silver maple floodplain forest. Photo: Kate Wilcox
Hiking through floodplain forest in Concord. Photo: Kate Wilcox
The Contoocook River on the McCabe Forest in Antrim. Photo: Carrie Deegan
Storytime with Dave, McCabe Forest Photo: Carrie Deegan
Checking out a Sphinx moth caterpillar, McCabe Forest Photo: Carrie Deegan
Blind-eyed sphinx moth caterpillar, McCabe Forest Photo: Carrie Deegan
Through the fields, McCabe Forest. Photo: Carrie Deegan
Beautiful fall day, Ashuelot River Headwaters Forest. Photo: Carrie Deegan
Group photo on Silver Mountain summit, Ashuelot River Headwaters Forest. Photo: Dave Anderson
Silver Mountain views. Photo: Jan Denson
Forest Society at Ashuelot River Headwaters Forest. Photo: Carrie Deegan
Hickory tussock moth caterpillar, Ashuelot River Headwaters Forest. Photo: Carrie Deegan
Dave Anderson pretends to be a bear, clawing his way up a red pine, Morse Preserve. Photo: Kate Wilcox
At the summit of Pine Mountain, Morse Preserve. Photo: Kate Wilcox
Toxic blister beetle, Morse Preserve Photo: Kate Wilcox
Talking lichens, Morse Preserve Photo: Kate Wilcox
Dave Anderson, Senior Director of Education Photo: Kate Wilcox
Watching for pileated woodpeckers, Powder Major's Forest. Photo: Carrie Deegan
Getting a group photo, Morse Preserve Photo: Kate Wilcox
Examining the "tri-town" marker- intersection of Madbury, Durham and Lee, Powder Major's Forest. Photo: Carrie Deegan
Along the Oyster River, Powder Major's Forest. Photo: Carrie Deegan