From the trailhead, the Dora N. Spalding Nature Trail follows a classic New England granite stone wall for a short period until it reaches a junction with an information kiosk. From there visitors can take a map numbered with the 14 different informational stops and other landmarks along the trails. The trail then crosses over the stone wall and winds through the woods, by several of the informational stops, and to the Merriam Bench. Here visitors can sit and look at the vegetation that the signs point out, and take a relaxing moment in the woods. The trail continues on, by a number of of other informative stops and comes to the open planting area where ferns and rhododendron thrive. From there hikers can visit The Dell, which begins by leading visitors though a lush rhododendron tunnel then down a stone staircase to the edge of a brook. This is the farthest point of the trail, from here hikers can loop back along a stone wall edged path, then turn right to access the Ruth Draper Trail, which showcases boulders formed by Ice Age glacial activity. The Ruth Draper Trail ends at the information kiosk, where hikers can return to the trailhead.
The Dora N. Spalding Nature Trail is maintained by the Monadnock Garden Club through and agreement with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.
Visit the Society for Protection of New Hampshire Forests online for more information, or contact:
From the town of Jaffery, drive west on NH-124 (Main Street), and continue 2.2 miles. Turn right onto Dublin Road and continue for 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Poole Road and continue for 0.5 miles. There is a small parking pull-off on the right of the road, where the trailhead is located.
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