Hikers explore newest conservation acquisition, Fogg Hill

The Lakes Region Conservation Trust's newest conservation acquisition was explored by about 30 people this weekend.

The 192-acre Fogg Hill property in West Center Harbor has outstanding wetlands, glacial erratics, rare plants, an old growth forest and a high-elevation kettle bog.

Ecologist Dr. Rick Van de Poll, of Sandwich, who completed a Natural Resources Inventory for the town in 2011, led the four-hour hike Saturday morning and pointed out many of the rare and important resources being protected by the effort.

He wrote in the inventory, The Fogg Hill property provides a critical conservation link between the only level peat bog in the area and the largest un-fragmented forest block of land in Center Harbor.

"It provides watershed protection to both Lake Winona and the Snake River, both of which contribute valuable public drinking water supplies to Meredith.

"This remote upland area contains a mix of unusual forest types of venerable age, complete with high value wildlife habitat and rare plant species. The conservation of this parcel provides an anchor to protecting a landscape that will be used and appreciated for generations to come.

Located at the end of Fogg Hill Road off Piper Hill Road, a very small parking area is offered right now. Those who use the property are asked to park in what looks like the trail head.

They will also need a GPS to find their way around.

A skidder road leads through a mixed forest and will be used to remove a large tractor trailer which was dumped on the property decades ago. That work is being done this fall.

Hiking trails will be built with volunteer help to take in all the aspects of the forested tract, including its "Hopper" a huge glacial cliff area with talus slope, near a ridge line with views to Lake Winnipesaukee.

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Hikers explore newest conservation acquisition, Fogg Hill