Kearsarge Valley Trail

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Lake · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Watch out for wet, mossy rocks.

This trail starts off Penacook, in Wadleigh State Park, and runs southward. In a short distance along the access road, the trail turns left and heads into the woods. It goes through the Sutton Wetlands and the Aquavilla Wetlands; this is a great place for birding.

It runs through rocks and mud to Shadow Hill State Forest. It climbs over a small hill, in Shadow Hill State Forest, then descends to Interstate 89.

After crossing under I89, the trail takes a turn for the worse and follows skid rows through a slash yard. Navigating through here can be difficult; use caution. The trail ends at the road, across from the Lincoln Trailhead parking.

Flora: Eastern Hemlock, Horsetail.
Fungi: Turkey Tail, Hemlock Varnish Shelf, Parchment fungi, Birch Polypore, Tinder Polypore, Chaga.
Fauna: Midges, Mayflies, Snow Fleas, Dog Ticks, Coyote (scat), Deer (tracks), Moose (scat, tracks), Red-Winged Blackbirds, Hermit Thrush(?).
Historical Features: Stone walls