Nature on the Trail

Before you is a pussy willow, a sure sign of spring. In the spring these willows have fuzzy catkins (small flower clusters) on the bare branches in early spring. In many cultures around the world pussy willow cuttings are used in holiday celebrations including Chinese New Years in Asia, Easter in Europe and America, and … Continue reading Pussy Willow

About halfway down the slope is a high bush blueberry. Blueberries like the sun, which they get because the rail bed keeps away trees that might shade them out. They also don’t mind “wet feet” and are often found near wetlands like this. Look for the oval light green leaves, brown twigs and stems, and beautiful blue … Continue reading Blueberries

Old rail beds make great trails.  The rail bed is built for good drainage, so it can be paved with less expense.  Trains do not like sharp turns or steep hills—which makes for easy hiking, biking and cross county skiing.  The train engineer cannot stop quickly and must see far ahead.  From here you can … Continue reading Rails to Trails

Notice the stone wall that runs parallel to the railroad at the bottom of the slope.  At one time much of NH was dedicated to pasturing sheep to provide wool to the mills in Manchester and Lawrence.  The stone wall was likely the edge of a pasture that has now returned to forest.  In another … Continue reading Stone Walls

You are standing over a large culvert that was built when the railroad was constructed, so that water could flow out of the large wetland on the north side of the trail, underneath the railroad, and continue on downstream to the south side of the trail.  Culverts maintain the natural flow of water—if they are … Continue reading Culverts