The Conservation Commission
Chesterfield, New Hampshire

Next Conservation Commission Meeting Fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:30 in the Chesterfield Town Office (Unless otherwise posted.) Ancient Oaks Trail Annual Fall Hike November 2, 2002    This year's fall hike explored the new Ancient Oaks Trail in the Friedsam Town Forest.  More than 40 hikers joined us on a perfect fall day.  The new trail runs along the Northern border of the forest and is the result of 2 years of discussion, planning and labor. The highlight of the trail are the venerable Red Oaks discovered during our recent limited timber harvest.  The oldest of these has been judged to be more than 250 years old.      The new trail also completes the long term goal of creating a loop system throughout the forest stretching more than 3 miles.  We will also be premiering our updated trail map for the Forest. Hikers Gather at Lower Twin Brook Lot 250 year old Red Oak Three Grants Awarded for Wantastiquet-Monadnock Greenway     Three grants, one for trail improvement, one for trail development, and one for land acquisition, have been received by two groups working on the Wantatiquet-Monadnock Trail. The total of the three grants is $43, 500, the money to be used to complete the funding for projects whose total value is $68,500. The money will be used on the western section of the trail, with two projects in Hinsdale and one in Chesterfield. Learn More Tools for Trail Construction & Repair (Enlarge) New Daniels Mountain Loop Great Success     The Chesterfield Conservation Commission's annual fall hike on October 13th was blessed with excellent weather and peak fall colors!  More than 30 hikers turned out to explore the new Daniels Mountain Loop Trail.  The Commission has been busy with trail development over the last two years and trail cutting on the new loop trail was completed this fall. The trail offers a varied and interesting terrain as well as a number of excellent views.  The Daniels Loop connects to the east side of the Stokes Loop Trail and can also be accessed from Plain Road by the Daniels Mt. Trail (see Map).  (Enlarge) Hikers at Southern View on Daniels Mt. 10/13/2001 Ann Stokes & Daniels Mt. Trails   See more photos in the Daniels Mountain Photo Album   Logging Project Completed in Friedsam Town Forest Detail Friedsam Logging Project  May 2001   After a number of years of study the logging project in the Friedsam Town Forest was completed this winter in an isolated section of the 209 acre forest.  (more) Snowshoe Hike in Madame Sherri Forest           On February 17, 2001 Members of the Chesterfield Conservation Commission  lead a backcountry exploration on snowshoes, in the Madame Sherri Forest in West Chesterfield.  Approximately 15 people joined in the trek through a beautiful, but infrequently visited region of the forest.  The hike revealed old foundations, open ridges and ravines.   The snow cover offered a wonderful opportunity to explore parts of the thick forest not easily traveled in other seasons.  We hope to make this area more accessible in the future.  For more views of the Md. Sherri Forest in winter visit our Photo Album.   October 13, 2000 : Annual fall hike explores the new trial ascending Daniel's Mountain  Daniels Mountain Southern View (Click for detail)  Beautiful weather rewarded hikers October 13th on an exploration of the new trial to the top of Daniel's Mountain.  The trial has been cut over the last two years by the members of the Chesterfield Conservation Commission's Trials Committee and offers a moderately strenuous climb to the tree covered mountain which is adjacent to the Cook Town Forest in Chesterfield.  The summit itself is forested but an excellent view south into the Connecticut River Valley is reached from a ledge a short  descent from the top (click above for a more detailed view of this vista).  Read Trail Description by Jeffrey Nugent May 2001 The Daniel's Mountain Trial will be an important piece of the planned Wantastiquet Greenway Trial which will extend from Mt. Wantastequet on the Connecticut River to Mt. Monadnock. . Daniels Mountain Western View (Click for detail)    Chesterfield Town Meeting (March 14, 2000) approves all 4 Conservation Commission proposals  The proposals were primarily design to assist in the protection or acquisition of important pieces of land for conservation purposes.  Read more about the articles. Also at the Town Meeting, on a ballot vote of 295 - 177 the town voted to extend the protections contained in the Shoreline Protection Act to the Connecticut River in Chesterfield.  Last year a similar measure protected a number of major streams in the town.  New Trail Signs for Friedsam In October, 1999 a new trail map and trail signs were dedicated. The goal continues to be to make the Freidsam Town Forest more easily accessible and to improve local awareness of this natural gem in the heart of Chesterfield Village. Trail maps are available at the main trail entrance on Twin Brook Road. Conservation Commission members October, 1999 View of Chesterfield from East Hill - Ann Stokes Loop Trail Dedication & Hike of the Ann Stokes Loop Trail To Indian Pond In the Madame Sherri Forest Held on October 17th, 1998 Ann Stokes at Trail Dedication October 17th, 1998 Map of Ann Stokes Loop Trail Directions

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