Sheldrick Forest Preserve - Nature Conservancy First EVENT!

We will explore the trails of Sheldrick Forest Preserve in Wilton, NH. The planned route is Swiftway to Charles Davidson to Helen's path or Margarets Meader/Helen's Path and return to parking lot. Estimated at 3 miles. There are also some moderate grade drops. Pace will be casual enjoying the nature of the Preserve. My pace is 1.5 to 2 miles an hour. We will all stay together as a group. This conservation land is maintained and managed by The Nature Conservancy.

NO DOGS are allowed on this event. The conservancy does not allow it.
We will observe the tread lightly principle and of course pack in and pack out. We will hike together and stay together for this hike.

I am a volunteer steward at this property. I may stop to take a photo of any downed trees if they occur on our hike.

GUESTS: Guests welcome. Encourage your guest to join our group.

An easy nature walk but come prepared as for any hike. Backpack, snacks, water (1-2 liters), bug spray, hiking boots or hiking shoes, appropriate clothing for the hike, hiking poles, first aid kits.

Elevation gain is 200-400 hundred feet. Thus, a nice easy nature trail.

"Sheldrick Forest is extraordinary. Woodlands of this
age, size, and species diversity have disappeared from
virtually all of southern New Hampshire. The preserve’s
rolling topography includes several eskers, a ravine forest,
seeps and streams, adding to its wild character. The forest has a broad diversity of tree species in a wide
array of ages including hemlock, beech, black birch and red
oak, as well as white pine — some over 200 years old. The
topography has stories to reveal about the area’s glacial
history (try walking along the esker on the Laurel Ridge
Trail). Stone walls, mountain laurel, streams, vernal pools
and old lanes enrich the forest and provide further insights
to the preserve’s natural and man-made history.
Signs of wildlife, too, are perceptible to the observant
visitor. Barred owls can often be heard (and sometimes
spotted) nesting in the trees in early spring. In winter, look
for tracks left behind by white-tailed deer, red fox, bobcat,
black bear and fisher. Many bird species, such as pileated
woodpecker, saw whet owl, ovenbird, scarlet tanager, wood
thrush and a variety of songbirds call the forest home
throughout the spring and summer. " (The Nature Conservancy - from their pdf file).

https://www.nature.org/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/documents/sheldrick-forest-map-guide-for-web.pdf
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/sheldrick-forest-preserve-wilton/

The organizers of this meetup are volunteers; you release and hold harmless the leader(s) and all members of this group from any and all claims for property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death - including those caused by negligence and/or other reasons.

As a condition of your voluntary participation in these activities you acknowledge and agree to the following: these activities may involve inherent risks that can cause property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death to participants and/or others; you assume all risk associated with this activity; you are responsible for having the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, clothing, and equipment to safely participate in any of the activities.
Rain or inclement weather cancels event.