| At the 1993
Chesterfield Town Meeting residents voted to designate as a
Town Forest a 57 acre parcel of land adjacent to the Madame
Sherri Forest . The Cook Town Forest, in combination with the Wantastiquet Mountain State Forest and
the Madame Sherri Forest, comprise
over 1000 acres of contiguous conservation land along the
southwest corner of Chesterfield. The value of preservation of
the Cook Town Forest was first brought to the attention of the
Conservation Commission by the Wantastiquet - Monadnock
Greenway Committee. This group has made great progress toward
preserving a natural greenway which will extend from the
Connecticut River to Mt. Monadnock. |
Southern View on
Daniels Mountain
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Ann Stokes & Daniels Mt.
Trails
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 The Cook Forest
Trail branches south from the Indian Pond Trail as that trail turns
right to begin its ascent to the pond. The trail ascends along a
stream reaching a "T" intersection with the old
Chesterfield - Hinsdale Road ("Kings Highway"). A
left turn at the intersection leads, in about 50 yards to the
Daniels Mt. Loop Trail on the right. A right turn
on the old road leads to the Ann Stokes Loop trail ascending
to the right after a few yards. (see map) |
Daniels Mountain
Loop Trail
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| The Daniels Mt. Loop Trail was
opened for the 2001 Conservation Commission fall hike. The
trail offers 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). |
Mt. Wantastiquet from East Hill |
Ann Stokes Loop Trail
The Ann Stokes Loop Trail
covers nearly 2 miles and provides an interesting tour of both the
Madame Sherri Forest and the Cook Town Forest. The trail was
dedicated October 17th, 1998 and has become one of the most popular
trails exploring the natural beauty of Chesterfield. The loop
includes a visit to Indian Pond as well as the excellent views of
East Hill and covers widely varying terrain.
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Jeff Nugent's article in the Brattleboro Reformer
from October, 1998 provides an excellent view of the Stokes Loop and
highlights the trail's importance among the natural preserves of
Southwestern New Hampshire and Southeastern Vermont.
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Stokes Loop Map
1998
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The Indian Pond
Trail, from which the Cook Town Forest trail branches, is located in
the Madame Sherri Forest on the Gulf Road. Coming from the east on
Rt. 9 take Rt. 63 south through Chesterfield Village past the town
hall. At approx. 1.6 miles from Rt. 9 take a right on Stage Rd. and
then shortly after bear left onto Castle Rd. Castle Rd will join
Gulf Rd and continues to the Madame Sherri Forest approx. 2.6 miles
from Rt. 63. The entrance on the left is notable for a red steel
gate. From the west take a right just after the Riverside Store
along the Connecticut River. Gulf Rd. bears quickly off to the left
and continues approx. 2.2 miles to the forest entrance.
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Daniels Mountain Photo
Album