Pisgah Mountain Trail Races

Fall in Pisgah State Park

2011-10-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

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View from hubbard Hill Vista- looking toward VT

Heading up Hubbard Hill

Baker Pond

Griffin swims in the fall!

Baker Pond

Heading up Reservoir Road

View from Reservoir Road - Mt Monadnock on the left

from reservoir road

Trail Split

the beaver pond behind our house on Winchester road

PISGAH MTN Trail Races 2011

2011-09-29T05:01:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful day to run in Pisgah State Park! Congrats to all who participated. Results posted on Coolrunning... http://www.coolrunning.com/results/11/nh/Sep18_Pisgah_set1.shtml.

Some race reports on the blogosphere are posted here as I find them...and if you have one post them in the comments!! Here are a few...

Jonny Hammett ran his first 50K... http://southcountytrails.blogspot.com/2011/09/pisgah-mountain-trail-run-50k-2011.html

Clint Joslyn ran a few extra miles... http://cjoslyn.blogspot.com/2011/09/pisgah-23k-or-perhaps-30k-if-you-dont.html

Jim Johnson...with good pictures... http://doublejrunning.blogspot.com/2011/09/pisgah-mountain-50k.html

Kevin Tilton... http://kltilton.blogspot.com/2011/09/im-idiot-pisgah-50k-race-report.html

Amber and Danny Ferreira... http://irongirlandultrarunningboy.blogspot.com/

Greg Hammett ... http://pisgahtwin.blogspot.com/2011/09/pisgah-mtn-50k-aka-usatf-ne-50k-trail.html

VIDEO of the split about 2 miles into the race....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpsIWsnswns

BEEC’s Hike-A-Thon to Benefit Vermont Disaster Relief and Conservation Initiatives

2011-09-28T05:32:00.000-07:00

The Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center is proud to be hosting its first annual Fall Hike-A-Thon on Sunday, October 9^thfrom 8:30 am – 3:00 pm. BEEC is even more proud to announce that a portion of the monies raised for this event will benefit Irene Disaster Relief efforts along with supporting BEEC’s Conservation Initiatives. With your help participating in this healthy hiking event, we hope to bolster and conserve the vitality of Windham County’s community and natural beauty.

The Hike Route is roughly nine miles in length, and will take hikers across town from the Retreat Meadows near downtown Brattleboro, to BEEC in West Brattleboro. Trail runners are encouraged to register, and there will also be a half-hike version available that will be roughly 4 miles in length. Registration and more information can be found on our website http://www.beec.org/ or by calling 257-5785.

Thank you for your help!!

SUMMER in Pisgah State Park

2011-07-12T11:10:00.000-07:00

Right now we avoid most of the park for running because the deer flies are pretty brutal, but Kilburn Loop is great running on a cool summer morning....and a swim too!

Spring in Pisgah State Park

2011-05-09T09:44:00.000-07:00

Griffin and I ran for a couple hours through Pisgah State Park on Mother's Day. It was a beautiful morning!

Bridge at Fullam Pond

Fullam Pond

"Moose-Lookout" off of South Woods Trail. Greg calls it that because it seems like there should be a moose standing out there. (Also where he proposed to me...:) )

Griffin standing on old foundation on Horseshoe Road; I was drinking some gatorade and deciding if we really wanted to venture out do to the mini-vistas loop....

We did continue on... this is Mount Monadnock from Reservoir Road.

Griffin getting wet in Baker Pond.

Storm clouds seen from the Hubbard Hill Vista...good thing we were close to home

Almost Spring in Pisgah State Park

2011-03-15T09:03:00.000-07:00

There's still snow on the trails and they aren't in the best condition for running, but a walk on a spring afternoon with the wolves is always nice!

Pisgah Twins checking out the tree damage

Wolves following the trail

Jimmy and Griffin

Griffin's version of the Putney Plunge

Rushing snow melt

Evidence of Pileated Woodpeckers

A MUCH BETTER picture of the woodpecker's work...thanks Greg. :)

Not technically in Pisgah State Park, but this Barred Owl probably lives in there somewhere. In this picture he/she's in our backyard on Winchester Road, which is on the trail race course so I figured that counts enough to be on the blog!

Winter in Pisgah State Park

2011-01-16T16:07:00.000-08:00

Sunday afternoon I took Griffin, Greg Hammett's running partner, for a hike in Pisgah State Park. I parked at the Horseshoe Trailhead and went down Horseshoe Road. The Chesterfield and Horseshoe Roads are well packed by snowmobiles, but where there are snowmobile tracks- there are snowmobiles, so we took the Habitat Trail (where the 50Kers turn left during the race) and went up a previously untraveled trail to the beaver pond. Griffin broke trail for me. We explored a little and then came back and went a ways down South Woods Trail. South Woods has a pretty good packed trail for snow shoes and skiing- we passed a couple skiers on our way out.

Griffin in the deep snow on Habitat Trail

First Bridge (going int he direction of the 50K course) on South Woods Trail

Griffin breaking trail on the Habitat Trail

Griffin checking out the beaver snow lodge

A lookout from South Woods Trail - always looks like there should be a moose out there no matter what season

Snowshoeing on South Woods Trail

More South Woods Trail; Griffin coming back for me in the center....

Many voice concerns about possible loss of park manager

2010-10-15T03:55:00.000-07:00

PROTECTING PISGAH

By Casey Farrar
Sentinel Staff

Published:

Thursday, October 14, 2010 12:20 PM EDT

HINSDALE — Keeping someone to watch over Pisgah State Park is one of the main priorities of those who packed into Hinsdale Town Hall Wednesday to learn more about the park’s fate.

The meeting was a chance for state parks and forestry officials to explain changes they’ve made to a draft park management plan to members of a steering committee that has spent the last three years working on the plan.

The 13,300-plus-acre park is in Chesterfield, Hinsdale and Winchester.

The changes — which would clarify the process for forestry decisions and allow mountain bikers and horse riders to use more existing trails — were based on public comments received this summer, state officials said.

People made more than 243 comments on the plan, said Kenneth M. Desmarais, administrator of the N.H. Forest Management Bureau.

But while the management plan is nearing completion, it remains unclear whether the park will continue to have a full-time manager.

In previous steering committee meetings, state officials have raised the possibility of eliminating the manager position and instead using a federally funded forest official to oversee the park and several state-owned properties nearby.

Concern about the loss of the park manager was raised by many local residents during an hour-long public comment period during Wednesday’s meeting, which was attended by more than 50 people.

The message from most who spoke was clear: The loss of a park manager, who oversees day-to-day issues at the park, would lead to more illegal activity and more difficulty in coordinating trail maintenance with volunteer groups.

Norma Reppucci has been park manager since 2004, when former manager James R. Bearce resigned in response to organizational changes that shifted oversight of the park from the state Division of Parks to the Trails Bureau.

The number of staff members at the park has decreased through the years from three to one, leaving weekends unstaffed.

For the last few years, the Friends of Pisgah, a volunteer group, has stepped in to man the park’s visitor center on weekends, when most visitors arrive.

When asked if state officials could guarantee the park would always have a manager, George Bald, commissioner of the N.H. Department of Resources and Economic Development, wasn’t making any promises.

“I can’t say what will happen right now,” he said.

Bald estimates the manager position costs the state about $80,000 a year.

He said economic pressures on the state parks — the nation’s only self-funded system — over the past several years have made it difficult to maintain staffing at all the state’s 75 parks.

“When the main source of revenue is parking meters and campgrounds, if you get a lot of rain, it affects things,” he said.

A season filled with many sunny, pleasant weekends this year should be a financial boost to the department, along with a law passed this year that will create license plates that help fund the parks — similar to the state’s “moose plates” that help pay for conservation — Bald said.

But there are no guarantees, he said.

Matt Donachie of Winchester, who is a member of Friends of Pisgah, said during the meeting the management plan should include a note that the park will never be without a manager.

“If you pull a ranger and don’t have anyone there, you’re leaving a way for, as I see it, wholesale destruction,” Donachie said.

Regular oversight and enforcement of rules is important with growing use of the trails, Donachie said.

Soon mountain bikes and horses will be permitted, in addition to the hikers, off-road vehicles and snowmobiles that already take to the trails.

Several local residents said state officials should work to find ways to increase revenue at Pisgah, including parking or user fees.

Amanda Barnard, lead instructor for Richmond’s Camp Takodah Outdoor Education Program, said she brings about 100 children to the park each year for hikes and believes her organization and others would be willing to pay user fees.

“For us to see the potential of this park melting into something that is not managed is really upsetting to me,” she said.

While funding issues won’t likely be solved in the near future, the management plan could be adopted by the end of the year.

Members of the steering committee have 30 days to mull the proposed changes to the draft management plan and submit comments to state officials.

Once those comments are received, state officials will consider them before moving forward with adopting the plan, Bald said.

The revised draft plan will be posted on the agency’s website, likely by the end of the month, Desmarais said.

Casey Farrar can be reached at 352-1234, extension 1435, or cfarrar@keenesentinel.com.

Pisgah State Park needs our help!

2010-10-07T07:21:00.000-07:00

The state has plans to increase ATV, mountain bike and horse backing riding areas. A meeting is scheduled Wednesday, October 13 from 5 to 7 pm in the Hinsdale, NH Town Hall to gather more public input.

The state has already ruined Hubbard Hill & Davis Hill Trails by widening with an excavator (about 3 miles) to make room for the snowmobile groomer! These were nice hiking trails used year round by hikers and "damaged" so the groomer can do their thing for a couple of months!

If you can show up to voice your opionion that would be great!

- this information emailed by Fred Ross

This is an article that appeared in the Brattleboro Reformer recently. (http://www.reformer.com/localnews/ci...2?source=email )

Pisgah future mulled

By CHRIS GAROFOLO / Reformer Staff

Tuesday October 5, 2010
HINSDALE, N.H. -- After hearing of plans from Concord to potentially reduce staffing in Pisgah State Park, organizers in southwestern Cheshire County have scheduled a meeting with department leaders to review the future of New Hampshire’s largest park.

Concerned residents in Chesterfield, Hinsdale and Winchester have partnered with the local nonprofit Friends of Pisgah to hold a town meeting-style forum to allow local park enthusiasts an opportunity to discuss the long-term management plans of both Pisgah and Chesterfield Gorge located off Route 9.
The event will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Hinsdale Town Hall.
"This is an opportunity to voice your opinion to the ones who have direct input into the process," said Edwin "Smokey" Smith of Hinsdale in an e-mail. "A large turnout at this meeting shows that we do care and want our park properly managed."

N.H. Department of Resources and Economic Development Commissioner George Bald, Director Ted Austin of Parks and Recreation and administrator Ken Desmarais of the Forest Management Bureau are scheduled to attend the Hinsdale event.

According to Pisgah supporters, the state costs for the park in the last four years has been less than $80,000 annually. At 13,361 acres, spanning the towns of Chesterfield, Hinsdale and Winchester, advocates contend the park is a valuable asset for the region and cutting costs seems unreasonable.

Friends of Pisgah member Bob Miller of Chesterfield said the organization requested the commissioner return to the region (Bald appeared in Keene during a July 2009 meeting) to hear the concerns from some of the park’s most frequent users. "Things have been left up in the air (regarding the park’s management plan) and there really hasn’t been anything solidified ... there’s a number of items that need to be addressed," he said. Pisgah supporters want to maintain the volunteer-constructed visitors center and continue having a park manager to ensure the park stays in good condition, he said. Without a ranger supervising the park, more damage is expected to the trails and woodlands. Recently, half a boat, a couch and other garbage has been found in the park.

The Parks and Recreation agency came under fire last year when Pisgah supporters (among other groups around the state) criticized a 10-year development plan that called for significant financial restructuring of the park system. Within a month, the proposal was withdrawn and officials have hosted numerous meetings since summer 2009 to satisfy park advocates around the state.

Chris Garofolo can be reached at cgarofolo@reformer.com or 802-254-2311 ext. 275.

CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE!!!

2010-09-26T07:02:00.000-07:00

RESULTS ARE POSTED ON COOLRUNNING...

http://www.coolrunning.com/results/10/nh/Sep19_Pisgah_set1.shtml

Congratulations to Amy Lane(4:33:09) and David Herr (3:42:26)
for setting 50K course records!

I AM POSTING LINKS TO RACE REPORTS AS I FIND THEM....

Jonny Hammett - http://southcountytrails.blogspot.com/2010/09/pisgah-mountain-trail-run-2010.html
James Callaway - http://bobsbreadrunning.blogspot.com/2010/09/ugghh-glad-pisgah-is-done.html
Greg Hammett - http://pisgahtwin.blogspot.com/2010/09/pisgah-50k.html
Jen Fice - http://mjfiesty.blogspot.com/2010/09/pisgah-mtn-23k-trail-run-and-9-seconds.html
Ryan Triffitt - http://sn0m8n.blogspot.com/2010/09/pisgah-mountain-50k-race-report.html
Ben Nephew - http://team.inov-8.us/2010/09/pisgah-50k-race-report-by-ben-nephew.html
Donna Smyth - https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1SDRl3wFIb0_rbb3byZmHE4_a2HmTdHI_nNIlVfxfDjg&hl=en&authkey=COaK8gk
Glenn Hammett - http://comeback33.blogspot.com/2010/09/another-pisgah-report.html
Clint Joslyn - http://cjoslyn.blogspot.com/2010/09/pisgah-50k.html
Jim Johnson - http://doublejrunning.blogspot.com/2010/09/pisgah-mountain-50k.html

IF YOU HAVE PICTURES OR A RACE REPORT, PLEASE POST AS A COMMENT HERE OR EMAIL ME (jen)....

Special thanks to Chris and Gary Montgomery not only for all of their hard work to make this year's Pisgah race such a wonderful event, but also for everything they continue to do to enhance the running community in the tri-state area (Fun Runs, Pisgah Races, 4th of July race volunteers, trail clearing, etc.).

Also, heart felt appreciation to all of the sponsors and volunteers (registrars, aid station workers, cooks, setter-uppers, taker-downers, timers, recorders, finsih line water hander-outers, trail markers, parking folks, trail clearers, and many others). Without you, well ... the race couldn't happen (if it did, many of us would still be out there).

"Running around with good friends is one of life's greatest pleasures." unknown

Stay active,
Donna Smyth

Pisgah State Park plan sparks concern; Brattleboro Reformer

2010-07-30T04:59:00.000-07:00

By CHRIS GAROFOLO / Reformer Staff

HINSDALE, N.H. -- In what has become almost a daily afternoon trek, Jeffrey Scott stops in the trail head parking lot at Kilburn Pond right in the middle of Pisgah State Park.

Scott, a resident of Spofford and organizer with Defenders of Pisgah, puts a note under the windshields of all the vehicles in the lot, requesting the assistance from all hikers, naturalists and park enthusiasts to lobby the forests division to amend a proposed management plan for the New Hampshire' largest state park.

To view entire story... http://www.reformer.com/localnews/ci_15627325?source=email

...The Division of Forests and Lands, a branch of the Department of Resources and Economic Development, is soliciting public input on the Pisgah Management Plan. The plan is accessible at the division's website -- www.nhdfl.org.

...Residents concerned about the future of the park may send their comments to the forests and lands division before Aug. 5.

...The address is the following: Pisgah State Park Management Plan, to director, N.H. Division of Forests and Lands, P.O. Box 1856, Concord, N.H. 03302-1856, or e-mail comments to pisgah1@dred.state.nh.us.

...Friends of Pisgah will also host a story circle on Tuesday, Aug. 3, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Hinsdale Community Center for locals to share their memories and hopes about the park's future.

...For more information, contact Powell at 603-336-7479 or via e-mail at lpowellbks@comcast.net.

Swimming in Pisgah Reservoir....

2010-06-28T05:19:00.000-07:00

A few of the Keenyans (Greg Hammett, Justin Fyffe, Josh Ferenc, and Jeff Goupil; the girls: Griffin, Lena, and Ellie) cooling off during a long run in Pisgah State Park this weekend. Maybe I can get one of them to write a little something about the running part?

Around Pisgah State Park, Spring 2010...

2010-05-16T06:43:00.000-07:00

Some Keeneyans on Pisgah Ridge (Greg Hammett, Mark Miller, Justin Fyffe, and Bryan Johnston)....March 28, 2010

Tree down on Hubbard Hill Vista....May 15, 2010...

Ramona Janowetch in the backround....

3rd Pisgah Wilderness Trail Races, 1987...

2010-04-15T04:28:00.000-07:00

You should be able to click on the page to see a larger version of the results...

if not here is a link to google documents.... 1987 PISGAH Results page 1 ; page 2

Star Spangled Banner Article; Sept. 1, 2006.......

2010-03-04T05:39:00.000-08:00