Joe English Reservation
| Date: | 12-24-2024 |
| Location: | New Boston, NH |
| Distance: | 4.42 mi |
| Elevation Gain: | 452′ |
| Total Time: | 2 hr 49 min |
| Parking: | 20+ cars |
This was my first visit to the Joe English Reservation in New Boston. After a few failed attempts at hiking this morning, a friend recommended me visiting this trail system. Joe English Reservation also abuts the Space Force base which does not allow the public to enter.
When I arrived at the parking lot I was the only car there. The temps were in the low 20s and the sun was shining. The lot can hold 15-20 cars and there is another lot about 50 yards down the road.
Once Liberty and I got our gear on we set out on the Hammond Brook Trail (HBT). This trail loops around the northern section of the Reservation. The first section starts out near the Peabody Mill.
Not far from the lot was the junction for the Hammond Brook Trail. From here the trail is pretty flat and there is a long bog bridge to follow.
The trail continues through the woods. Every so often there is a plant identification card along the trail. Soon after I came to the timber trail junction and then the Eagle Junction. These are cut offs but I continued along the HBT.
The trail follows a brook, hence the name, and Liberty enjoyed playing in the water despite the cold temps. There are a few large boulders and some rock formations to see as well.
The trail starts to loop back and skirts the property boundary with Space Force. It also starts to climb a little. There are many signs letting people know that this is private government property and trespassers are not welcome. Liberty and I stayed on our side of the wall.
The HBT merges into the Eagle Trail and weaves in and out on the hill side. Then the Eagle Trail turned into the Timber Trail. Both of these trails were passed on my way out.
We took the Timber Trail to the Old Brook Road. This looks like it would be a nice XC Ski trail if we ever get enough snow in southern NH. I was only on this trail for a short time before I got to the Ledge Trail.
This trail goes around a small frozen pond with some benches in different spots. Liberty and I took a break and took some pics. Not to far from here is the junction of the Bacon Trail. Which I had to take because I love bacon.
The Bacon Trail was my favorite trail of the day. The trail started along the other side of the pond. Then it continues along the permitter of the Space Force property. The trail climbs gently up one of the hills. There were more warning signs and even some that had grown into the trees from being there so long.
This trail starts to loop back down the hill. I eventually made it to the Highland Trail. This is a small extension to add some more steps to this hike. The Highland Trail looped and connected back to the Pine Trail, which was just a short distance to the parking lot. This trail was interesting because it had a lot of illustrated signs talking about different animals and things on the trail.
This section of the Reservation was beautiful and pretty easy to hike. There is lots to see along the trails and Liberty had a blast the whole time. I’ll be back soon to explore the rest of the trails here.
