Philbrick-Cricenti Bog — Attraction in New London

This is a really neat property for the novice botanist, or any plant enthusiast. Located on the side of a long drag in western New Hampshire, parking is a little sparse, and exiting stinks, but the folks from the local conservation commission were there during my visit and were very kind to stop traffic for my group to leave. There was also an outhouse provided, but there was an "open house" for the bog that day, so I'm unsure if there are usually accomodations. Plan accordingly!

After a fairly short walk on a very well-made metal boardwalk over wetland, the trail comes out to an open pear bog that is just incredible in magnitude. Well placed signage educates visitors on peat bog formation, and you learn that this bog has about 20 feet of peat moss accumulated. There are at least two stopping points on the boardwalk at small pools where visitors can take turns pushing a 12+ foot long branch almost completely under the water to demonstrate the depth of the bog. As a sign points out, you're on a floating mat!

There is a large community of carnivorous plants living in this bog and it's amazing just how numerous they are. During my visit, I saw both purple pitcher plants (one with a captured flying insect floating in its digestive juices) in different stages of growth, as well as sundews. There are also some lovely tuberous grasspink orchids living in the bog that have the most beautiful purple-pink color. What an incredible find in such a harsh environment.

This bog is in direct sunlight with the only shade being the forest at its edges. We were there during a hear advisory, so it was incredibly hot. I'd imagine this property can be brutal during the middle of summer, but it's well worth it! I planned accordingly with sun coverage and a battery-powerwd neck fan. There was also a nice breeze...

Always beautiful, especially in the Fall! I was actually visiting somewhere else but I wanted to visit this place again! All sorts of wild vegetation with that wonderful aroma! Spacious with wonderful views! Pitcher Plants and Eriophorum Vaginaturn dominate the landscape. Lots of information is posted. The area is still being used for educational purposes. Most of the trail is wheelchair accessible except for Yundra Loop. It leads to a forest trail that would be difficult for even smaller wheelchairs to traverse. Strollers would have no problem. The trail is well maintained with a combination of grated platform and lumber 🪚 walkways. A regular wheelchair ♿ can fit. Benches are available to stop and relax. I highly recommend a visit! I wish I had more time to stop and read my book here! The only bird I heard, which is the word, we're crows. The nearby traffic you could hear, but it wasn't loud. I didn't see any frogs this time. I did...

This Kettle Hole Bog is very beautiful and interesting! There are a wide variety of plants that you might never see outside of this context, such as carnivorous pitchers and sundews! There are also wooded sections of trails where you are encouraged to listen for various birds who make their home here. The trails are very easy and reletively short. There are anchored, non-slip walkways in some areas, and sturdy floating wooden boards laid over the bog mat in others. There's a fundraising effort in place to outfit all trails with the non-slip walkways. Stay on the walkways and do not be tempted to step off onto the bog mat. It looks like solid ground, but it is not, and the water under the floating mat can be up to...