Ranger Rachel here with another alternative to summiting the steep and often slippery slopes of Mount Monadnock. In July, I covered a family-friendly loop on the lower elevations of the 3,165 foot-tall mountain. For this walk, the trails will lead you further from the most popular trails but will not disappoint in natural wonders as well […]
Tag: nh state parks
Tired of being bitten by bugs? Hire a bat.
Ah, summer. Sun, sand, vacations, and millions of mosquitoes. The quest to combat these pesky bugs (and thousands of others) can take up a good portion of your summer. A simple solution, however, is to enlist the help of a member of the animal kingdom. Bats. Bats? Yes, bats. Bats might not be the first […]
Going Back in Time at the Pierce Homestead
New Hampshire is fortunate to be home to many great historic sites. One of these is the Franklin Pierce Homestead. Built in 1804 by Benjamin Pierce, the house sits on a beautiful piece of property in Hillsborough New Hampshire. Today it serves as a museum for Franklin Pierce and his family. During my visit I […]
Monadnock Walks: Alternatives to Summiting
Mount Monadnock is known for its summit: the bare schist boulders and breathtaking 360 views that reach to Boston. To get to the summit, however, can be a daunting task. A minimum four-mile trek with boulders, smoothed rock, and steep scrambles might be too challenging of a hike for some visitors – especially on rainy […]
A Feast in our Forest
As the Interpretive Ranger at Pawtuckaway State Park, I have the pleasure of living in the woods all season. My cozy campsite offers many appealing features; nighttime calls from my Barred Owl neighbor, a view of a misty wetland, sights and sounds from Pileated Woodpeckers, and the simple pleasures of cooking over a propane burner. […]
Woods Whisperer
The journeys and adventures I’ve had in the park pale in comparison to the journeys and adventures I’ve had with my new friends here. I’ve found that the combination of those two have made my experience here truly spectacular! As the Bear Brook Interpretive Ranger I have an exciting opportunity to experience the different moods, […]
Campsites 101
Ready to find the perfect match for your family trip or weekend getaway? New Hampshire is home to 75 state park properties – many with campsites abounding. While most have the standard fire ring and picnic table, not all are created equal. At Greenfield State Park, the campsites offer much more than the standard package. […]
Start with Parks: Lessons from the Trail
01.20.15 “I am losing precious days. I am degenerating into a machine for making money. I am learning nothing in this trivial world of men. I must break away and get out into the mountains to learn the news.”- John Muir For the fourth consecutive year, New Hampshire State Parks hosted “First Day […]
Home of Great Spirit
“I see the stanzas rise around me, verse upon verse, far and near, like the mountains from Agiocochook…” – Henry David Thoreau, 1841 1841 was one of many Mt. Washington trips for Thoreau, who knew of the mountain’s previous name of Agiocochook, a Native American word loosely translating to “Home of the Great Spirit.” […]
9/11 and Boston: A special message to our American Heroes and those who emerged from tragedy
In honor of the state’s commemoration of the 12th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, Governor Maggie Hassan has directed flags to half-staff and proclaimed today as a Day of Remembrance in honor of the tragic terrorist attacks. She will speak at three commemorative events around the state: the Beech Street School 9/11 Remembrance […]