Moose Mountains reservation is in Middleton and covers roughly 2500 acres and in conjunction with town land, Ellis Hatch and Copple Crown conservation areas it is one of the largest non-headwaters of the Salmon Falls river.
The forests and hills contain a host of native wildlife such as black bear, moose, porcupine and heron rookery. As well as plentiful array of wildflowers including rare orchids, columbine, rock harlequin and wild berries. Hiking, bird watching and cross country skiing, snowshoeing – combined woods roads and foot paths taking you to several ponds and marshes, open summit peaks and ledges, early 1800’s cemeteries and old farmland from past days.
The main trails are signed and blazed and we continue to work on getting some of the less traveled trails cleared and marked. (Jason Morris – Scott Alton – Land Stewards – Lakes Region NH)
From NH Rt 11 (Concord Laconia Alton)
About 10 miles from Route 11 in Farmington turn onto NH 75 East (Central St) Turn left onto NH 153 North (Charles St/Kings Highway) Follow for nearly 6 miles and turn right onto Ridge Rd at the town offices. At 1.6 miles turn left onto New Portsmouth Rd (sharp corner w/cemetery on a hill) Follow road to its end at a small parking lot area and kiosk.
Burrows Farm Trail – 1 mile – From the parking lot this trail is the heart of the trail system connecting you to all of MMR’s scenic points, Begin on the green gate along a woods road that runs parallel to a brook just through the trees. At .2 miles on the left is the Hall Spring. At .3 you cross a bridge over the brook and bear eft away from North trail to the right. Climb gradually and cross over the brook again. At .8 turn left at the Moose Mountains trail junction, crossing the brook once again and past another green gate. Make a short climb and at .9 you enter out to an open field. To the left down the hill is the Stevens cemetery on the left and near the top f the field bear left at the sign post. There are views across the field to the long ridge which once was sheep pasture hence the name Bald Mt. Cross the field and enter the woods where at 1.1 miles the Burrows farm trail ends at the Phoebes Nable Loop trail.
Beauty Ledge Trail – 1.2 miles – 600’ Elevation gain. – The trail begins via Burrows Farm trail and .4 miles up North trail. Trail head is on the left at a collection of rock ledge. The trail climbs steeply up a banking of young pine and birch making some small switchbacks and passing various large rocks and a rock wall. The trail levels off and you pass Snapping Turtle rock. From here bear right passing several other large rocks. The trail switchbacks through the pine glade break away from the ledges ad then coming back to them once again. Sharp left make a short steep climb up stone steps and the trail then levels again as you pass an attractive granite lichen hill with wild columbine and rock harlequin in season. The trail curves around this hill, over the top of it and back down again to Beauty Knob trail junction at ,4 mikes. Here you can make a loop on your way back keeping right at the bottom of beauty know onto north trail. From the junction hike ahead towards the knob and climbing around its North end. Pass just a few feet from Beauty Knob on the left and continue bearing left and out to the loop of the ledges. Now descend down some rock and across to Beauty Ledge .5 where the trail ends and here is your views to Browser Pond and several marshes and out to the Piper Mt range – the Teneriffe Mt range, Blue Hill range, Prospect Mt and Phoebes Nable Mt at the right and beyond out to the horizon of the Mt Agamenticus in York Maine.
Not Only is this Mountain beautiful for family hiking, it is protected by Conservation Trust and cared for by New Hampshire Land Stewards. Signs as well as trail markers are well established in most all of the trail system. These trails and logg roads are also great for cross country skiing and snow shoeing. Take good care of this wonderful free to enjoy part of New Hampshire wilds.
Hiking and bushwacking 10-10 around Bowser Pond and up past Beauty Ledge to Long Hill Moose Tairn/pond and ended up just below the pitch pine forest. Lot’s of deer tracks, mushrooms and Wood Frogs! Don’t forget to wear ORANGE as we approach hunting season.
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