Randolph Community Forest Interpretive Trail; Randolph, NH
(8:00- 9:00 am)
Trailhead located at end of Randolph Hill Road
Find Randolph Hill Road on Google Maps HERE. Continue all the way to the end of the road until you reach a cul de sac, parking area, and large trailhead sign. Don’t be confused by any of the more subtle signage for other trails along the way.
Durand Lake Recreational Area; Randolph, NH
(9:00-10:00 am)
Near mile marker 19.4 on US Route 2. Clay tennis courts can be seen from the road, and the Recreation Area can be accessed via a gated road that will be open and marked with red, white, and blue balloons. Find Durand Lake on Google Maps HERE.
We’ll look for birds with Governor Weld on the Randolph Community Forest Trail for about an hour, then make the short drive to the Durand Lake Recreational Area for a conversation about environmental policy at the pavilion.
Notes on the venue: The 10,000 acre Randolph Community Forest is one of New Hampshire’s greatest local conservation success stories, conserved through a partnership effort of devoted individuals and organizations. The 3/4 mi. interpretive trail is at approximately 2000′ elevation, with only 150′ of elevation gain along the trail. Trail guide HERE. For anyone interested in continuing to bird watch at higher elevations after the event, the Caps Ridge Trail and Mount Washington Auto Road are only a short distance away. The first offers the possibility of boreal species, while the latter is a place to see American Pipits.