Sunday, July 4, 2010

Warren Rail Trail Blast Off!

Last fall I discovered (for myself) a really nice new rail trail in Warren, NH. Its going to be hot and humid tomorrow so this shady, woodsy ride will fit the bill. But don't take my word for it see the trail description from Traiklink.com below.

This popular trail starts from an interesting landmark: a Redstone missile brought to Warren by a resident who served in the Army in Alabama in 1970. He found some obsolete missiles in a field and arranged with the Army to transport one back to Warren, aiming to bring something of America's thriving (and far-removed) space program closer to local youth. Placed in the town center in 1971, it remains a prominent fixture.
The rail-trail (a.k.a. the Jesse E. Bushaw Memorial Trail or New Hampshire Snowmobile Corridor No. 5) is a pleasant and picturesque 9.4-mile multipurpose route. The hard-packed dirt surface is generally wide, smooth, and flat, and motorized use is permitted, making it popular among ATV riders in summer and snowmobilers in winter. The trail also welcomes walkers, bikers, equestrians, and anglers eager to try their luck in trailside brooks and ponds.
While most of the route is straight with few technical obstacles, between miles 6 and 7, the trail dips and climbs steeply as it diverges from the railbed to follow State Route 25. Where it rejoins the corridor, the route again runs straight and flat.
Around mile 8, just after you pass the concrete cubes protecting this section of the trail from motorized use, you'll enter the Oliverian Valley Wildlife Preserve's Habitat Management Demonstration Area. Viewing platforms on either side of the path help you keep an eye out for birds and other wildlife.
In the final mile, the trail passes under power lines, swings to the right, and crosses a brook. You'll emerge on State Route 25 in East Haverhill between the Oliverian Valley Campground and a baseball field. This trailhead is difficult to find, so begin your journey in Warren.

Last fall, on this 19 mile roundtrip ride, we past a few walkers and bikers on the Warren end of the path but otherwise Chumley and I had it all to ourselves with no motorized traffic.

Directions: Take the Kanc (route 112) to North Woodstock go across route 3 and continue on route 112 for 2.6 miles. Take a left onto route 118 which will take you to Warren. Look for the upright missile in downtown Warren and we'll figure out parking from there.

Carpooling: For those people who will use Bear Notch Road meet at the Attitash parking lot at 8:00 am. Please email me at chumley@earthlink.net if you plan to start over the Kanc in Conway and you want to carpool.

We should be ready to start the ride at 9:30am.

Map link:http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/nh/-warren/897125621736444678

Bring plenty of water, lunch and bug spray.

No comments:

Post a Comment