I’ve driven by this trail-head on Allard Hill Rd dozens of times and finally took the opportunity this morning to check it out with Alex. A sign before entering the woods gave me some information so I could research the area later.
Louise S. Wold Conservation Land
While my picture cuts off the other restrictions hunting is prohibited here as well, and as we are quickly approaching open firearm season (November 13th) I was glad considering we had no hunter orange with us. The trail climbs for a gentle grade though the thickness of leaves on the ground made it easier for me to carry Alex today than let him trip over every hidden root. As we reached a small clearing I noticed the trail split. A small map box on the backside of the pictured sign above (didn’t notice it till we returned) was empty of any maps so I was kind of guessing as to where this would take us. Kind of, because I was using my iPhone GPS app, “ViewRanger“, which any reader of this blog has seen many screen shots from. Looking at the topographic map I guessed this nature trail might take us on a loop around or over Tasker Hill. (elev. 748).
The trail was relative easy to follow, if you paid attention. Most of the trail was flagged with nylon orange tape, or wooden stakes, or little wired red flags, or every once in awhile a very cool looking trail marker on a tree:
Trail Marker
The randomness of trail markings was a bit interesting and I found this on the Conservation Committee’s website.
“The conservation is located off Allard Hill Road, an extension of Tasker Hill Road off Hwy 153 in Conway near the Legion property. Mrs. Wold donated the land to be used in its natural state to help educate children and preserve for the future. The Madison Conservation Commission employed Forest Land Improvement Inc to form a forest stewardship plan in June 2004. Two scenic views and several wildlife cuts were lumbered in the late spring of 2005. An initial trail was outlined with primitive stakes and directional signs and published on a small handout and placed in a box at the entrance of the lot. There are two scenic views that face toward the west and east. UNH undergraduates did a small semester project regarding trails and natural resource inventory in 2006.”
I plan to reach out to the committee to see if I might be able to be a volunteer steward for the trail, since it is minutes from my house and would be a great project to share with Alex as he grows.
As the trail looped around (and Alex snacked on pretzels), we started another gentle climb that I guessed might bring us to the hilltop.
A nice section of the trail
A fine view west to Chocorua opened up on our left, one of the obvious “scenic views… lumbered in the late spring of 2005.”
Chocorua
As I watched our progress on my GPS I quickly realized the marked trail would skirt the actual summit by a few hundred yards, so I turned around to make a quick bush-wack to the true summit. Almost as soon as I left the trail I picked up a faint trail that led to an obvious approach from the north, marked with blue diamonds and three cairns.
Mystery Trail
Judging by the map I’m guessing that trail would lead down to Tasker Hill Rd, close to the SOLO Campus. We finished our short, 1.2 mile hike in just over 40 minutes and took the long way home so Alex could have a nice car ride nap. I’m glad I finally checked this place out. Googling for info on the area led me to this blog which has a dozen more nearby areas for us to explore!
I’m sure I’ll be visiting these other locations soon so stay tuned!
Adventure with Alex 
Leave a Reply