Welch Forest

Length: 0.9 miles out-and-back

Difficulty (click for info): Beginner

Elevation Gain: 100 feet

Rating (click for info): 3/10

Driving Directions:
Trailhead and parking area are on Rt. 123 in Hancock, NH. The parking area is on the northeast side of the road, 2.0 miles northwest of the western junction with Rt. 137 in the center of Hancock and 5.0 miles southeast of the southern junction with Rt. 9.

About the Hike:
The Forest Society's Welch Family Farm and Forest includes a meadow which contains the remains of the farm of the Welch Family, who came from Ireland and owned the land for almost 140 years. The meadow and the historical marker are reached by a mowed grass path which climbs gradually from the trailhead to the clearing in less than 0.2 miles. The field is filled with wildflowers and, by the Forest Society's recommendation, is an excellent place for a picnic. Beyond the field, the path reaches a T-junction with a multi-use trail. To the right, the trail leads to a piece of old farm equipment, then descends off the property. To the left, it continues 0.2 miles to a viewpoint of a large beaver wetland.

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