Hi All,

At our December get together last night some interest was expressed for doing another ride tomorrow. The weather forecast includes a high of 45, calm winds and lots of sunshine. That's pretty good conditions for a December day. Below you'll find my 2009 write up on the Cotton Valley Rail Trail in Wolfeboro.

The rail trail is crushed, packed stone and almost 7 miles long. In all we’ll peddle about 15 pretty easy miles on this loop route. From the trailhead at the restored train depot on Railroad Avenue, the crushed stone Russell C. Chase Bridge Falls Path leads to the rail trail proper. After the falls, the trail goes by a beaver pond with great views and bird watching and it also passes through some interesting tornado damage from 2008. Causeways that lead across Crescent Lake, then along Lake Wentworth are another stunning feature on this trail. At times you're surrounded by water on either side, and the views are nothing short of spectacular. And in a unique rail trail twist, sections of the trail actually run between the old rails, which are still in place and visible, though you cannot see the ties.

It ends at the intersection of Cotton Valley Road. Here we’ll go left (west) and return on Cotton Valley Road which becomes College Road. Both roads have gently rolling hills with the exception of one steep, but short hill on the way back. To get back to the rail trail and avoid the busy routes into Wolfeboro we’ll take a left on Westwood Drive to Tennis Court Lane which leads back to the rail trail and the center of Wolfeboro.

After the ride we can explore the shops and points of interest in Wolfeboro, one of the original resort towns on Lake Winnipesauke.

The Wolfeboro trailhead is at the restored train depot on Railroad Avenue, just west of the Route 109 and Route 28 intersection. Parking is available at the depot. Take route 16 south to route 28 (just before Ocean State Job Lot) in Ossipee. Go west about 9 miles on route 28 to Wolfeboro center. Then take a right on route 109 to Railroad Ave.

Please be ready to start the ride at 11:00am.

So you're invited to join in the fun!

Joan