Take a Hike with AARP

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Oh, what a resource we have in Concord:  31 trails covering 81 miles.    And at our April 21 Intro to Concord Trails presentation by Sam Durfee , we found out you are hungry for more.  So that’s what you’re going to get!

On Saturday, June 9 at 10:00 am, City of Concord Trails Committee volunteers are going to lead two hikes – one beginner hike and one moderate hike.  There is a limit of 20 participants per hike, so be sure to register early as reservations will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Here’s what’s planned:

Beginner Hike:  Sewalls Falls Park Trails led by Fran Philippe
Hiking travel time:  1.5 hours
Distance:  About 3 miles round trip
About the hike:
The main trail, which is mostly flat, begins at the trailhead sign located at the rear of the parking lot and travels along the Merrimack River.  Enjoy views of the river along the entire hike and see remnants of the historic Sewalls Falls Dam while taking in the views in the open area of the James Paine Rotary Park.
Parking and Directions:
Park in the Fish & Game Sewalls Falls Recreation Area parking lot, located off Sewalls Falls Road.  If coming from the west side of the river, the entrance to the lot is on your right, about .25 miles after the intersection with Manor Road and just before the Sewalls Falls Bridge.  If coming from the east side of the river, the entrance to the lot will be on your left, approximately .10 miles after the bridge.  **There are two entrances to the trail, so be sure to go to the Sewalls Falls Road entrance and not the Second Street Entrance.
Registration 

Moderate Hike:  Carter Hill Orchard and the West End Farm Trail led by Tim Pifer
Hiking travel time:  1.5 hours
Distance:  3 miles
About the hike:
This is a moderate three-mile hike that will take you through portions of the scenic Carter Hill Orchard and along the northern portion of the West End Farm trail through the Rossview Farm Conservation Area.  This hike will include some steeper terrain and takes you through some nice wooded areas.
Parking and Directions:
Park at the Carter Hill Orchard parking lot and follow signs for trail parking.  The address is 73 Carter Hill Road, highlighted on this map.
Registration

Make sure you wear comfy clothing and proper footwear.  In addition, we need to ensure the trails remain in their natural state and open to the public by following these guidelines:

• Stay on the marked trail
• Do not disturb the plants and wildlife
• Respect the private property that surrounds the trails
• And follow trail manners for you and your dog

Be sure to pack water and a snack.  Dress in layers as you may get warm during the hike or need an extra layer if it is cool out.  We’ll go out even in the event of light rain.  Bring plenty of bug spray and dress in long pants you can tuck into your socks to deter ticks.  Wear tick-repellant clothing if you have it.

To find out more about these and the other trails in the Concord Trail System – including maps and historical data of all 31 hikes -- check out the Concord Trail System Guidebook & Maps,  a project of the City of Concord Conservation Commission.

Happy hiking!