Join the Forest Society and NH State Parks for the 16th Annual Monadnock Trails Week
KEENE, N.H. (June 30, 2022)—Mount Monadnock, which comes originally from the Abenaki Native American word for mountain that stands alone, may stand alone in southwestern New Hampshire, but it is the symbol of the local community, bringing together people near and far. Its prominent presence on the landscape has captivated residents for centuries and inspired artists, writers, and musicians, such as Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, both of whom wrote fondly of the mountain.
The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (Forest Society) is the majority landowner of Mount Monadnock, holding more than 4,500 acres in the public interest. Forest Society-owned lands on Mt. Monadnock are leased to New Hampshire State Parks and together the organizations manage the park for the thousands of outdoor enthusiasts that seek its year-round recreational opportunities.
To help keep Mt. Monadnock safe and welcoming for hikers, the Forest Society and N.H. State Parks will be hosting the 16th Annual Monadnock Trails Week, July 22-July 26, 2022. Trail improvement projects are planned all over the mountain in this weeklong event, as well as events and gatherings at local restaurants and businesses in the communities around Mt. Monadnock.
“Monadnock Trails Week is not just about getting out on the trails for maintenance projects. It’s about celebrating a mountain that has been a gathering spot and symbol of the surrounding community for centuries,” states Andy Crowley, stewardship projects manager for the Forest Society. “If you have not volunteered for trail maintenance yet or come out to join us at one of our gatherings, come out and give it a try. You will leave dirty, tired, satisfied, and with a new appreciation of every step you take on a trail, as well as learn about some great local businesses, and even make a new friend or two.”
“Since 1979, the state’s partnership with the Forest Society has been key to balancing the need for recreation and conservation of Mt. Monadnock,” states Phil Bryce, director for the Division of Parks and Recreation. “The popularity of the mountain requires continued efforts to improve trail maintenance, manage the natural and cultural resources, and preserve the quality of the visitor’s experience. The Forest Society is a great partner in helping us do this.”
Forest Society and N.H. State Parks staff, along with other experienced trail work leaders, will guide volunteers in multiple projects throughout the course of the week, including work on the White Arrow Trail, Marlboro Trail, Gap Mountain trails, as well as various trailhead improvement projects. After day one on the trails, Friday, July 22nd, a kickoff party will be held at Post & Beam Brewery in Peterborough. Other non-trail work related events are planned throughout the week and participants in all events and volunteer days will be entered to win excellent prizes generously provided by our Monadnock area community sponsors. See a full list of events and happenings below.
Monadnock Trail Week Events & Happenings in the Community:
Friday, July 22 at 5:30 PM, Monadnock Trails Week Kick-off Party at Post & Beam Brewery in Peterborough
Join us as we kick-off this year’s Monadnock Trails Week at the Post & Beam Brewery in Peterborough. Blackfire Farm Pizza’s mobile food truck will be on hand as well serving up delicious wood fired pizza. Attendees will receive 20% off their beer order. No reservations needed for the kickoff party.
Saturday, July 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Dublin Road Taproom & Eatery in Jaffrey, NH
Building Unity Outdoors
with Earl B. Hunter, Jr., founder and President of Black Folks Camp Too
BFCT is a marketing-driven business whose mission is to increase diversity in the outdoor industry by making it easier, more interesting, and more fun for Black folks to go camping and build unity for everyone, everywhere. The program is supported, in part, by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
Sunday, July 24 at 10 AM- FULL
A walking history of Thoreau, a journey for the adventurous and literary-minded spirit. Take a guided interpretive tour to the summit of Mount Monadnock with the Forest Society’s Recreation & Community Relations Manager, Matt Scaccia, while reflecting on how Henry David Thoreau’s transcendental viewpoint influenced his personal observations on Monadnock between 1844 and 1860.
Monadnock Trail Week is made possible thanks to the generosity of our supporting donors and businesses, including Post & Beam Brewery in Peterborough, Dublin Road Tap Room & Eatery in Jaffrey, Grappelli’s Pizza in Peterborough, The Optimist Café in Jaffrey, Eastern Mountain Sports in Peterborough, Dublin General Store in Dublin, Nature’s Green Grocer in Peterborough, and Monadnock Food Co-op in Keene. If you are interested in joining us as a Monadnock Trails Week partner, please reach out to our development team directly at atruslow@forestsociety.org.
How to Volunteer
No trail work experience is necessary; conservation professionals will lead groups to complete different projects. Come ready to work and learn about tool use and best practices for trail building. Tools and safety gear provided. Children 13-15 welcome with an adult guardian/supervisor; 16–17-year-olds must get signed parental permission form/waiver. Days run from 9am - 3pm, depending on the project. To sign up visit: /event/monadnock-trails-week-2022.
What to Bring: A daypack, water, snack, lunch, gloves (if you have them), sunscreen, bug repellent, and gear for the weather (example: raincoat/hat). Wear closed-toe shoes or hiking boots, long pants, and sweat-wicking clothes that can get dirty.
If you have questions, please contact: Andy Crowley at acrowley@forestsociety.org.
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ABOUT THE FOREST SOCIETY
The Forest Society is a non-profit land trust and forestry organization established in 1901. The Forest Society owns over 191 forest reservations constituting 60,000 acres in over 100 New Hampshire communities. It also holds more than 750 conservation easements statewide permanently protecting an additional130,000 acres of New Hampshire’s scenic landscapes
For more information: Andy Crowley, acrowley@forestsociety.org, 603-224-9945 ext 332.