In the News

As fall begins to color the landscape, the Lakes Region Conservation Trust (LRCT) would like to welcome and encourage residents and visitors alike to explore some of LRCT's conservation lands throughout the Lakes Region.  One of the most popular hiking destinations in the region is LRCT’s largest protected property, the Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area.

An updated trail map for the Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area is now available.  The trail map, printed on waterproof and durable Tyvek, includes color-coded trail routes, distances, and descriptions for over 40 miles of trails within this 5,420-acre conserved property.  Trails within the Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area follow historic carriage roads and walking paths through the forested landscape, leading to lookouts, historic sites, geologic features, and mountain summits.

The Castle trail map includes a number of newly mapped trails.  These include the Mount Roberts Trail, which follows Roberts Ridge with spectacular views from open ledgy areas south and west across the Ossipee Mountains and toward Lake Winnipesaukee and from the summit north and east to the Sandwich Range and beyond.  This trail can be combined with a number of other trails to create loops of many lengths and variations.  The Bald Knob Cutoff is also a new addition, which allows hikers to reach the spectacular view from Bald Knob directly from LRCT’s Route 171 trailhead parking area.

The updated Castle trail map was developed for LRCT by Dave Roberts, a dedicated LRCT volunteer who has contributed countless hours to the stewardship of the Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area since LRCT acquired the property in 2003.  This map is an updated version of a map developed by Mr. Roberts several years ago and represents an incredible gift of his time and talent to LRCT. 

To purchase the updated Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area Trail Map, please send $5.00 with your complete name and address to:  Lakes Region Conservation Trust, PO Box 1097, Meredith, NH 03253.

The Lakes Region Conservation Trust is an independent, non-profit organization that protects key wildlife habitat, preserves freshwater and wilderness resources, and provides for public access to conservation lands for thoughtful recreation in the Lakes Region.  Through the generous donations of thousands of people, LRCT has protected more than 20,000 acres of conservation land in the region, including approximately 22 miles of shoreline on the region's lakes and ponds, 19 summits, and approximately 75 miles of hiking trails.  Among LRCT’s key protected properties are the Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area; Ragged Island, Stonedam Island, Five Mile Island, and Blanchard Island in Lake Winnipesaukee; the Burleigh Land Conservation Easement in the Squam Range in Holderness and Campton; the Red Hill Conservation Area in Moultonborough; Sewall Woods in Wolfeboro; and Knight’s Pond in Alton.

For further information about LRCT or supporting LRCT’s land conservation projects, please contact LRCT by phone at 603-279-3246 or email at lrct@metrocast.net or visit LRCT’s website at www.lrct.org.