Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge: 10/29/21

The gentle trails of Pondicherry National Wildlife Refuge in Jefferson and Whitefield, on the north side of the Whites, offer some of the most scenic walking in the Whites. Just what I was looking for after a full trail work outing the previous day. This 6,405-acre tract is technically the Pondicherry Division of the larger Silvio Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. In addition to its scenery, it is noted as one of the top birding locales in New Hampshire. 

For this visit, I chose an approach I hadn't done before: the Slide Brook Trail, a section of the Cohos Trail, starting from the trailhead parking area for Owl's Head Trail on NH Rt. 115. This historic marker, describing the second most notorious slide in White Mountain history (after the 1826 Willey Slide), makes for interesting reading at the trailhead.

It's a short walk along the busy road to the Slide Brook trailhead.

As a fan of walking through fields (during non-tick season), I immediately liked this trail.

From the lower end of this large field, there's a nice view looking back at the sharp peak of Owl's Head.

The long-overgrown track of the 1885 slide can be seen angling down to the left from the peak, then swinging down to the right, outlined by a strip of yellow trees.

This stereoview from Littleton View Co. is titled “Cascade Falls, Cherry Mt. Slide, Jefferson, N.H.” In the aftermath of the tragic fall of the 1885 slide, the scene became a popular tourist attraction. Supposedly this field is where the slide came to a stop. (From the New York Public Library collection).

 

 

Farther along the trail passes through a wetland along the top of an old beaver dam.

Slide Brook Trail ends in 0.6 mile at the Presidential Rail Trail, where you turn left to follow the latter for 2 miles to Cherry Pond. Moorhen Marsh is one of the scenic highlights along the way.

 

Just 50 yards or so along the rail trail a bridge over Stanley Slide Brook offers a good view of Mts. Starr King and Waumbek.

This section of the rail trail was resurfaced in 2020 and offers excellent walking and bicycling.

In the middle of the expansive Moorhen Marsh, 1.5 miles from the Slide Brook Trail, a bench invites for a break in the sun.

The Presidentials are the highlight of the sweeping view here.

Owl's Head and Cherry Mountain rise to the south, their bases lined with aspen and tamarack gold.

Late October is tamarack foliage time around these wetlands.

View of the Pliny Range across Cherry Pond from the Tudor Richards Viewing Platform, dedicated to legendary NH ornithologist and naturalist Tudor Richards, who was instrumental in creating the refuge.

The Presys underlined with tamarack foliage.

A watery Presy view from the Shore Path along the edge of Cherry Pond.

Another angle on Owl's Head/Cherry Mountain.

The Little Cherry Pond Trail is a wonderful ramble through boreal forest. The plank walkways in this area are covered with chicken wire for better traction.

There are no mountain views at Little Cherry Pond, but the place has a wild, primeval feel.

Tamarack foliage at Little Cherry.

Another Presy view on the return walk.

 

Late afternoon light on the Presidential Rail Trail.

Last sun on Starr King & Waumbek.