Summer Deluge

Another Gulf Road "Transient"

In New England, every season offers its special photographic opportunities.  Autumn’s spectacular colors and winter’s quiet white blanket provide obvious attractions, while late falls “stick season” … well we must nap sometime.  Spring typically is valued both for the beautiful and varied early foliage, and also for the waterfalls that surge in response to the seasonal rains and spring run-off.

Garwin Falls, 2018

In recent years, I have scheduled a spring waterfall workshop for mid-May.  It is the best time of year to celebrate the flowing water in my corner of New England, but this year I had to cancel my plans.  First because the pandemic was still limiting close interactions and secondly because our unusually dry spring reduced the streams to disappointing trickles.

• Spring WaterfallSeason and Workshop : 2002
  
  
• Spring WaterfallPhotography Weekend 2017 

We finished May and June with severe drought conditions, but since the weather in New England never stays the same for long, we have been drowned in July.  Suddenly our streams and waterfalls have gushing at a time when the water is usually drying up for the hot summer months.

Old Jelly Mill Falls, Dummerston Vt

Chesterfield Gorge 

For several weeks I have been enjoying the late season flowing water.  Familiar waterfalls such as the Old Jelly Mill falls on Stickney Brook in Dummerston Vermont and Chesterfield Gorge in my home town, have been as active as I have ever seen. And, of course, the water has found its way into our leaky stone-lined basement.  Happily, our sump pump has been working hard to reduce what might have been 4-6 inches to just about 1 inch of water.

An Inch in the Basement

Route 30 Falls

"Transient"Waterfalls

I have been particularly struck by the dramatic flow in what I think of as transient run-off waterfalls.  My area has numerous falls that only seem to bloom in response to heavy downpours.  The water produces beautiful falls that come quickly and largely disappear within a few hours to a day.  On Route 30 near where Stickney Brook enters the West River, a steep road-side drop-off creates a lovely falls in response to heavy rain.  Come back any other time and there is only a trickle.

Fallen Arch July 2021

MadameSherri Forest in Chesterfield New Hampshire is most famous for the arched stairway which is the only remains of the Madame 1920’s summer party house.  Sadly, and inevitably, the recent storms appear to have been the last straw, resulting just a couple of weeks ago in the collapse of the top-most arch.  Happily, the area continues to offer other points of interest.  Next to the parking lot is the pond which had been the guest’s swimming hole.  The pond normally drains slowly into Gulf Brook, but here as well, the rains have energized the outflow to a boiling surge.

Madame Sherri Pond Outflow

Gulf Road "Transient"

Gulf Road Transients

Down the road from Madame Sherri, along the Gulf Road, is my favorite collection of “transient” waterfalls.  The road cuts through a deep gorge adjacent to the Gulf Brook, on its way to the Connecticut River.  During heavy rains, at several spots along the way, waterfalls plunge down the hillside to disappear under the road and into the brook.  When the weather is right you only need to stand in the road to capture these dramatic cascades dropping to your feet.  It’s easy shooting, but you may be forced to dodge the heavy trucks and bucket loaders as they repair the washed-out dirt road.  

"Transient after a couple of dry days

The important thing is to time it right.  Within a day or so of dry weather the show is largely over and we are back to a dry stream bed, or at most a trickle.

Another Gulf Road Transient

Boiling Gulf Brook

Wilde Brook, Chesterfield Gorge

So, I got my waterfall season, just a month late.  July is almost over and the rain hasn’t stopped yet.  I don’t know if this is the new, globally warmed, normal, but with the rain pouring down today, I guess I’ll be out shooting the falling water again tomorrow.

So get out and capture the falling water whenever nature delivers, and keep track of the “Transient” waterfalls in your area.

Jeff Newcomer, NEPG
www.partridgebrookreflections.com

Naming Stuff

 

Beaver Pond, Madame Sherri Forest

What's in a Name

One of the advantages of being a member of a conservation commission is the opportunity to name stuff.   For years,  I have been lucky to be a part of an active conservation commission in my home town of Chesterfield New Hampshire.  We have worked hard to protect of our public lands and in the construction and maintenance of an extensive system of trails. We have built and maintained over twenty-five miles of trails.  It has always been our feeling that by improving the accessibility of our beautiful natural lands, we could better impress our neighbors with the importance of their carefully preservation.  I especially love blazing new trails to seldom explored portions of our lands.  The fact that generations to come will enjoy the peace and beauty of these forest paths gives me the sense of contributing to a priceless legacy.

A side benefit of this work is that we get to name stuff!  New trails, scenic vistas and even the occasional swampy bog all require names and, although our approach to this task is usually logical, it can sometimes be a bit random. 

Ice Storm on East Hill

It is surprising that there has been so little debate over our naming process.  Often the titles seem obvious, based on the topography.  The hill to the east of Indian Pond in the

Ancient Oak Trail

Madame Sherri Town Forest has expansive views to the east and west from a couple of nice outlooks.  We cut the trail to include these views and when it  came to naming the hill on the map, East Hill seemed the obvious choice.  Other trails are named for obvious defining features, such as the Ancient Oak and Cemetery Trails in the Friedsam Town Forest.  The story behind "Moon Ledge" overlook on Daniel's Mountain is more complex and mysterious and must remain so. 

Moon Ledge Gathering - Don't Ask

Honoring Heroes
Our greatest honor comes when we can name things after people who have contributed to the special quality of life in our little rural community. It is a tangible link to our important past and a reminder that although much has been done to protect our special corner of New England, there is always more work ahead.

The Friedsam Town Forest

Friedsam's Giant Red Oak

The 220 acre Friedsam Town Forest is a precious conservation resource easily
accessible in the heart of Chesterfield and was a generous gift from the Friedsam family. The forest is typical new growth from old farm and pasture with old stone walls, streams, several old growth trees and interesting rock formations.  Originally the forest had just one, marginally maintained, trail, but with the dedicated work of the Conservation Commission, it now offers four different trails and three parking areas. The forest is popular year round, but is especially busy this time of year, since it is posted against hunting.  Reassuring for families, but we still recommend wearing orange.

Sargent Trail


Work Around the Ravine Bridge
on the Sargent Trail

The Sargent Trail was the  original path passing through Friedsam Town Forest and was named to remember Doug Sargent.  Doug was a promising young Chesterfield resident who died tragically in a car accident shortly after graduating from University of New Hampshire.  The Trail is a 45 minute walk through varied terrain between the Upper and Lower Lots on the Twin Brook Road. The trail crosses over the Ravine Bridge, passes by a natural pothole, and two giant trees; an ash and black cherry.
 

Audrey's Meander and Bench
Audrey Ericson was a much admired elementary School teacher in Chesterfield.  She loved to take her students on hikes in Friedsam

Audrey and Her Bench

Town Forest and promoted the building of a trail along a lovely stretch of Twin Brook in the Forest. Audrey retired in 1994 and it seemed highly appropriate to name her favorite trail  "Audrey's Meander". This year we had new signs made for the trail and Trail Steward Ray Dunn built a wonderful bench overlooking the brook. Recently, we surprised Audrey for the dedication of "Audrey's Bench". She was thrilled that the bench will be a place of beauty and contemplation for generations to come and she looks pretty good on it as well.

For more images of the dedication check out my Audrey's Bench Gallery



Anne Stokes Loop / Madame Sherri Forest
  The 488 acres of the Madame Sherri Forest was generously

Ann at the Dedication

donated for conservation to the Society for the Preservation of New Hampshire Forests by Anne Stokes. The Chesterfield Conservation Commission constructed a loop trail through the forest, covering nearly 2 miles and providing an interesting tour of both the Madame Sherri Forest and the James O'Neil Sr. Forest. Of course the trail was named the "Ann Stokes Loop Trail".  Formally dedicated October 17th, 1998, it has become one of the most popular trails exploring the natural beauty of Chesterfield. The loop includes a visit to Indian Pond as well as the excellent views of East Hill and covers widely varying terrain.

The Madame's "Castle" in the Woods

Madame Sherri Knew How to Strut

The forest is named for the eccentric Madame Antoinette Sherri. Madame Sherri, who had worked as a costume designer for the Zigfield Follies in the 1920s, had built her country "Castle" in the woods of Chesterfield. She became famous (or infamous) for the parties she threw for visitors from the city and was said to have driven about the town

Castle Remains

during the summer wearing a fur
coat and nothing else. Madame Sherri died in 1965 at the age of 84 but for many years prior the castle had fallen to neglect and vandalism. On October 18, 1962 it was destroyed by fire. The foundation, chimneys and a grand stone staircase from the once magnificent house can still be seen adjacent to the Madame Sherri Forest.  The Madame Sherri Forest is the jumping off point for the Ann Stokes Loop Trail and the Daniels Mountain Trail.

James O'Neil Forest
The James O'Neil, Sr. Forest is an 80-acre woodland on the Gulf 

O'Neil Family at the Dedication

Road in Chesterfield, NH. This parcel
 is part of the Wantastiquet-Monadnock Greenway Project. The forest was named after James O'Neil, Sr.  The dedication ceremony, on November 5, 2005, was attended by his family and towns people. James O'Neil, Sr. was an outstanding citizen and statesman who raised his family in Chesterfield. His public service included town moderator, member of the Chesterfield Conservation Commission, chair of School Board, chair of State School Board and Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. He was active in the establishment of the Friedsam Town Forest and Pisgah State Park. Jim had a remarkably deep and resonant voice that always talked sense.  You always wanted him on your side in any debate. His lifelong dedication to the Town of Chesterfield will be remembered by future generations as they enjoy the beauty of the James O'Neil, Sr. Forest.

Naming Stuff is great fun and it is especially exciting when we can celebrate the contributions of just a few of the remarkable people who have made our little town such a special place.  So come and enjoy our wonderful and historic trails.  Or better yet join you own local conservation commission and start naming your own stuff!

For more information about our stuff, check out the Chesterfield Conservation Commission Website.


Jeffrey Newcomer
partridgebrookreflections.com