The 82-acre Peabody Forest was bequeathed to the Forest Society in 1960 by Ralph I. Peabody, a state fire warden and prominent member of the Shelburne community. Abutting Peabody Forest to the north, the 1,030 acre Bald Cap Peak Forest was purchased from The Conservation Fund much more recently (2023). These two parcels support a conservation corridor between the Mahoosuc highlands and the White Mountain National Forest, and build on other conservation lands in Shelburne including the 2,749 acre Shelburne Valley Forest also protected by the Forest Society in 2023.
The Peabody and Bald Cap Peak Forests protect some unusual natural communities like the red pine-rocky ridge habitat near the summits of Middle Mt. and Bald Cap Peak, as well as excellent wildlife habitat. Peabody Brook’s cool, shaded waters are home to native Eastern brook trout.
The Peabody Brook Trail was first constructed in 1878 to connect a nearby guesthouse, Peabody Farm, with Giants Falls. Today it connects North Road to the Appalachian Trail (AT) and is used by many section and through-hikers, as well as by day hikers looking to reach the destinations of Giants Falls, Middle Mountain, Dream Lake, and Bald Cap Peak.
TRAIL INFORMATION
This out-and-back hike to Giant’s Falls starts on the Peabody Brook Trail, maintained by AMC. For the first 0.8 miles, the trail follows an old road at a gen-tle incline. After the junction with Middle Mountain Trail (stay on Peabody Brook), the trail starts to climb more steeply. At 1.2 miles from the trailhead, look for the sign indicating left for a spur trail to Gi-ants Falls. The last 0.3 miles on the spur trail is steep but worth the effort to see the 100+ foot cascade of Giants Falls. Retrace your steps back to North Rd.
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Round Trip Distance: 3 miles
Blazing: none, look for white trail signs
Nestled in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, Forest Society North at The Rocks is a year-round destination for visitors with a new program center in the historic Carriage Barn and family-friendly activities across 1,400 acres of conservation land.
The Kauffmann Forest surrounds the land at Christine Lake owned by the Percy Summer Club. The club's land is protected by a conservation easement held by the Forest Society. Combined with the state-owned Nash Stream Forest, these conservation lands comprise the entire watershed of beautiful Christine Lake.
The most unique feature of the property is an old gold mine, operated by the Whitefield Mining Company until 1885. The mine has one shaft 100 feet deep, with its entrance carved into the face of a cliff.
