Balch Hill Natural Area

Passing the Torch at Dartmouth Pow Wow

Managed by the Hanover Conservation Council, The Balch Hill Natural Area has varied types of vegetation including open grass, shrub edge, apple trees, pines, hardwoods and hemlocks. The summit has views of Moose Mountain, Mount Ascutney and Gile Mountain. It is reputed to be an excellent spot for bird watching and is in the region of the unique Connecticut River Birding Trail. Six different trails will take you to the summit. Parking is available at the corner of Grasse Rd. and Trescott Road. The night view from the parking area is said to be spectacular as well.

The HCC has developed a management plan for the area to provide guidance for stewardship of this beautiful natural area. Central to its mission is the preservation of the pasture and vistas at the top of Balch Hill; the provision and maintenance of foot trails; the conservation of native plants and animal diversity and the protection of wildlife habitat.

The Management Plan has information on geology, soils, vegetation, wildlife. Management policies regarding viewshed, vegetation, wildlife, trail construction and education are included. A copy of the Management Plan in available at the Council office, Town of Hanover, Dartmouth College Real Estate office, Howe Library and the Upper Valley Land Trust.

The Whisper of Winter Wood (Redux) Haiku

Mixed media image hand-painted monochrome with Haiku. This image is part of a developing series on climate change.

This image can be purchased in the following forms: 

A signed limited edition original with a certificate of authenticity. Edition of 25 prints on fine art rag paper with archival inks $495, Click here.

Open Edition print 12"x14 $20.00 Click here

Open Edition print 12"x14 $20.00 

Open Edition print 20"x23" $48.34 Click here

23" x 26" Poster  $34.34 click here

Plummers Ledge

Plummers Ledge, Rumney, NH

Off the beaten track in Rumney NH lies a very interesting geological site: Plummers Ledge. Here you will find an area long ago travelled by the Baker River, before it was the Baker River, even before it was the Asquamchemaukee River. Laid down during a period of great geologic turmoil, Plummers ledge features giant P-Holes carved by huge boulders flowing down the river during the retreat of the last glacier.



If you are a student of geology or just interested in the effects of the last glacier, stand here and imagine the retreat of a glacier so large that it covered the summit of Mt Washington by thousands of feet. As the glacier melted, it created massive rivers churning with rocks and debris. Plummers ledge is one of the few areas where a visitor can step back in time, relatively unfetterred by more recent geologic disturbances and witness the power of that river of ice and its flowing waters.

Don't expect a fancy visitors center or even trail guides. Plummers ledge is not a sexy enough attraction to warrant much attention from the State of New Hampshire. In fact until 15 years ago, there wasn't even a sign. Back then Rumney selectman Joe Kent approached then Senator Wayne King and suggested that at the very least the site should be marked because most of the people who even knew about the site had long since died. King and Kent arranged for the signage and today at least the curious have a means to explore...

Directions to Plummers Ledge

Rte 25 Rumney to Sand Hill Rd (approximately 1.5 miles north of the flashing light at Main Street.) Pine Hill Rd becomes Buffalo Road continue straight at the junction with Buffalo Rd for about 1.5 miles. You will come to a lumber mill at a bend in the road and there is a small overgrown parking area on the right hand side of the road with the sign pictured above. Park here and explore.





Autumn Leaves in a Pool
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