Description
This 588 acres of land, known as "Partridge Woods," is owned by the Town of Nelson. It contains the highest peak in Nelson and the second highest peak in Cheshire County (Osgood Hill). It also accesses the headwaters for three different regional watersheds: the Ashuelot River, Nubanusit Brook, and the North Branch of the Contoocook River.
The entirety of the property is under a conservation easement held by the Harris Center for Conservation Education and is open to the public. The land was acquired in 2017, with help from the Harris Center, a bequest from Sidney and Claire Partridge(for whom the land is named), and grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Quabbin-to-Cardigan Partnership and the NH Conservation Committee(the Moose Plate program).
Trail Descriptions:
Ethan's Way: The trail begins at the Brickyard Road parking area. Follow blue blazes on an abandoned woods road 1.1 miles to the intersection with the Wheeler Trail. Difficulty Level: moderate, mostly uphill.
Osgood Hill Link Trail: The trail begins at the intersection of the Wheeler Trail and Brickyard Road. Follow blue blazes 0.3 miles to the intersection with the Kulish Ledge Trail, and turn left, following the yellow blazes to the top of Osgood Hill (Distance 0.3 miles). Difficulty Level: easy.
Kulish Ledge trail: Trailhead parking is located on the right on Old Stoddard Road, 1.4 miles from Nelson Village. Follow yellow blazes over a bridge over Bailey Brook, along a beaver pond and up to the intersection with the Osgood Hill Link Trail (distance 0.9 miles). Continue 0.3 miles to the top of Osgood Hill. Difficulty Level: moderate.
Other Information
Note to Hikers: Please respect the privacy of home and property owners along Brickyard and Old Stoddard Roads by parking in designated parking areas only when they are open and staying on trails. Partridge Woods is a "carry in, carry out" recreation area. Dogs are welcome, as are mountain bikes. Hunting is also permitted.
Trail Manager
For more information, contact:
Nelson Conservation Commission
7 Nelson Common Rd.
Nelson, NH 03457
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