Hiking the Heald Tract

Years ago, I lived in Wilton, and a walk on the Heald Tract was part of my weekly hiking routine. Although I no longer live in that Souhegan Valley town, on May 5, I decided to head back to my old hiking haunt. Spring makes a great time to explore this nearly 1,500-acre preserve with its old fields, orchards, ponds, meadows, abandoned farmstead and blue heron rookery. Maintained by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (SFPNHF), there are five miles of trails for passive recreation and nature learning opportunities. I chose to walk the Heald Pond Trail, an easy two-mile out and back loop. After discovering that the trail was flooded and overgrown at the lower parking lot access point, I drove 0.4 mile farther up Heald Road to start my hike from the upper parking lot. Here the trail begins in an old, abandoned orchard on higher ground. I walked down a grassy path toward the pond, past wizened apple trees overgrown with vines and brush that resembled a tangle of witch's hair. Years ago, I remember seeing an old barn with a sagging roof on the hillside, but on this day, there were no signs of that structure. The orchard is a good example of an early successional habitat. The decline of agricultural activity provides changing habitats for a variety of wildlife as the land grows back to grasses and then shrubs like sumac and saplings, and eventually shade-tolerant tree seedlings. The path twisted right and left down the hill. After five minutes, I stepped onto a wooden plank that followed the shoreline. Turning right, I "walked the plank" a short distance into the woods, disturbing a few small frogs who jumped into the marshy area along the pond's edge. My hike continued on a forest path softened with pine needles and over several plank bridges. However, I had to step around several wet areas. I continued past downed trees, moss-covered rocks, Canada mayflower and club moss with its tiny, cone-like spore cases and erect, branching stems. Soon I reached an outcrop at the pond's edge. Here I took a break and contemplated the quiet waters of Heald Pond also called King Brook Reservoir. The 69-acre pond is a result of a flood control and watershed protection project completed in 1964. I continued on the trail (right) past a brushy spot, keeping an eye out for yellow blazes. I came to an area where foresters had conducted a "thinning." In a few minutes I reached a junction. I continued straight on Heald Pond Trail and soon reached another junction (left) that led to an overlook at the edge of the pond. I turned right and continued the Heald Pond Trail, but not before stopping to examine several pileated woodpecker holes in an old tree. The trail paralleled the shoreline with opportunities to spot and hear geese and enjoy the rippling waters in a slight breeze. As I continued, the trail narrowed, enclosed by huge pines and hemlocks growing along its edge. Shortly, I came to an overgrown part of the trail at a tangle of mountain laurel. I stepped over a stone wall and spied a yellow marker in the distance. Continuing the trail, I saw a beaver lodge, more work of pileated woodpeckers and lots of white hobblebush flowers. After stepping around another flooded section of the trail, I came to a junction. I turned right and continued the yellow-marked trail, moving uphill to the right and east. The path widened and I noticed more thinning in the woods. After several minutes, I reached my final junction. The trail continued straight toward the Spring Trail. (You have the option of continuing straight on this trail which leads back to the parking lot, a 10-minute, 0.3-mile walk). I turned right to follow the Ledge Cut Off Trail (orange) that leads back to Heald Pond. The Ledge Cut Off Trail is a pleasant walk well marked by orange blazes through an open forest. I continued for five minutes on the needle-softened path and came to a grove of beech trees. There was also a huge ledge area on the left worth checking out. Further down the trail I got a glimpse of Heald Pond and shortly reached the junction for the Heald Pond Trail (yellow). Turning left, a less than half-hour walk brought me back to my car. The Heald Tract is a donation over a period of years by Phil Heald, his sister Helen Rader and his brother, Ross Heald. Phil Heald and land steward Ray Jackson began in the 1980s to lay out trails on what was once a farm that comprised the Heald Apple Orchards and a managed forest. Phil Heald died in 2007. Note: Waterproof footwear is recommended for navigating the trail around the pond. There are several places that are overgrown and/or flooded. Be aware of trail blazes. Dogs on leashes are allowed. To get to the Heald Tract from Keene, take Route 101 east to Route 31 in Wilton. Continue on Route 31 south toward Greenville for 2.5 miles. Turn right onto King Brook Road. Continue for 0.8 mile to Kimball Hill Road. Turn left and continue 0.1 mile to Heald Road (dirt). Turn right and continue 0.8 mile to the upper parking lot on the left.