Access to the marvelous trails on Moose Mountain’s south ridge is permanently protected, thanks to the generous gifts of conservation easements by Kay and Peter Shumway and Elisha and Anne Huggins in 2015.
For years, these two families built and maintained trails near Moose Mountain Lodge, welcoming the public to enjoy them by parking on their land and crossing their property to reach the trail network on the abutting Dana Pasture Natural Area (owned jointly by the Town and private heirs) and beyond.
The conserved Mill Pond Forest includes the north shore of Mill Pond, Hanover’s highest water body and headwaters of Mink Brook as it spills from the pond and falls down the mountainside through the conserved area. The easement also protects two early 19th century mill sites on impressively steep terrain. Equally impressive are resident beavers’ own dam-building skills- their dam is so large it can be seen on satellite imagery! The Huggins Trail Access forever protects public use of the main foot trail and parking area.
How to get there
From Ruddsboro Road, take Old Dana Road approximately a mile in, then follow the (unsigned) gravel Moose Mountain Road to the very top, where a sign and gravel lot mark the Huggins Trail Access. Public trailhead parking is also available in several spots along Moose Mountain Road; all these trails connect to the Shumway Forest as well.
The Huggins Trail Access forever protects public use of the main foot trail. Miles of trails connect to the trailhead at the top of Moose Mountain Road, from the Shumway Forest to the Baum Conservation Area, the Dana Pasture Lot to the Appalachian Trail and beyond. Print a copy of the trail map to take with you on your hike!
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