Hiking High Blue and the Faulkner Loop Trail

Years ago, I hiked a Society for the Preservation of New Hampshire Forest property in Walpole called High Blue. At that time, from an open space at the top of a rise, I enjoyed a magnificent view of Stratton Mountain in Vt. across the Connecticut River Valley. Since then, a new section of trail has been added to the preserve. In early June, my long-time hiking friend, Curtis Carroll, and I took a trip to Walpole to see what the Faulkner Loop Trail was all about. We started to the right of the parking area on an unmaintained dirt road, many spots rutted and muddy, some pockmarked with pools of water. A 0.2 mile walk past tall birch trees and a bog brought us to a SPNHF sign and green gate on the left. Stepping around the gate, we continued on an old road that moved gradually uphill. After walking under an arbor of quaking aspen trees, we found ourselves at the edge of a field planted with rye. Continuing along the edge, we shortly reached the end of the field. Stepping around another gate, we continued gradually uphill past beech, birch, ferns and boulders covered with ragged rock tripe lichen. Several minutes later, in the woods to the right near a stone wall, we examined the remains of a tumbled down chimney and old foundation that had been reclaimed by nature. There was also a steel I-beam among the rubble of rocks. Returning to the trail, we stepped through a gap in a stone wall. Minutes later, we saw a sign reading "The Ledges" with an arrow pointing left. A short walk brought us to a ridge of rock but there was no view. Back on the regular trail, after walking past a tiny pond, we reached an open space at the top of a rise that showed a glimpse of the blue horizon, the namesake of the trail. To the west, we took in the view of the Connecticut River Valley and majestic Green Mountains of Vt. Stratton Mountain (3,940 feet) stood out prominently. After a brief rest, we continued on the yellow-blazed trail which rolled up and down, meandering through the woods. Soon we reached an impressive area of waist-high ferns that blanketed both sides of the trail. After crossing a footbridge, we climbed briefly uphill and came to a bench. Several minutes later we arrived at the unmaintained dirt road. Turning left, a five-minute walk brought us to the Faulkner Loop Trail. Entering the woods, we walked along the narrow trail which moved past hobblebush, wintergreen, clubmoss and beautiful ferns, but the highlight along this section was the impressive striped maple trees. Striped maple can be a small understory tree or large shrub. The trees we saw here towered above us in an arc. It was a real natural treat to see them this tall. After admiring the trees, we kept on the trail and came to a granite bench with an inscription that read: "In memory of John Charles Faulkner 3rd. He loved this land." Here we got a good view to the northwest and west of wavy blue hills. After enjoying the view, we started back on the trail which entered a shaded hemlock forest with moss-covered rocks. Several minutes later, we maneuvered a rocky section of the trail. Use caution here — the trail turns right but is marked by a difficult-to-see yellow blaze on the rocks. We continued uphill but soon started downhill on a more comfortable surface of matted oak and beech leaves. However, there were also "toe catchers" — exposed tree roots that stretch across the trail. After moving past a crude log bench on the left, the trail continued downhill, turned right and leveled off. A short walk brought us back to the unmaintained road. A left turn and 15-minute walk brought us back to the car. The High Blue Vista and Faulkner Loop is a 2.4-mile hike which takes about an hour and a half to complete. Dogs on leashes are welcome. High Blue is part of the Warner Forest, a 165 acre preserve donated to the SPNHF in 1981 by Stephen Warner of Malibu, California, who used the property for relaxation and picnics. More recently, 58 acres were added to the preserve by the John Faulkner family in honor of John Faulkner, a conservation minded landowner. To get to High Blue from the junction of Routes 9 and 101 in Keene, drive on Route 9. After 1.4 miles bear left onto Route 12. Continue for two miles and take a right onto Wyman Road. After 1.5 miles turn left onto Old Walpole Road, which becomes County Road. After 4.2 miles turn right onto Crehore Road. Follow Crehore Road for 0.1 mile and turn left onto Merriam Road. After driving 0.3 mile on Merriam Road turn right onto Scovill Road. Continue on Scoville Road for 0.4 mile to a junction where you will see a very small turnoff for parking on the left.