In Mid Jan 2014, there were several logging trucks/skidders near the LaRocque road parking area (all quiet on Saturday). Be careful where you park to avoid those logging trucks/skidders.
The eastern half of the Thunder Mt trail has had recent logging operations. This portion of the trail had many muddy sections.
BRAINTREE MT FOREST
A Braintree couple have just made a donation of more than 1500 acres of well-managed forest land along the crest of the Braintree Range between Braintree and Rochester. In doing so, Paul Kendall and Sharon Rives have secured to posterity a good portion of Randolph’s westward view, as seen from Exit 4.
The property, which is now being called the Braintree Mountain Forest, is located to the west of Riford Brook in Braintree and extends to the ridgeline above, including four peaks and reaching an altitude of 3030 feet.
These are the peaks known informally as (south to north) Round Top, Double Top (or Twin Peaks), Skidoo, and 30-30, which is the highest peak in the range.
Since the early 1970s, Kendall and Rives have been assembling the property, which is adjacent to their Kendall Road home, in the name of their own Todhah Hill Foundation.
At the owners’ request NEFF will continue to manage the forest in the same manner and ensure that the ridgelines remain undisturbed by any form of visible development for a period of at least 50 years, NEFF said in a release.
Productive, managed forestry will be permitted, however.
Recreational Trails
However, that doesn’t mean that the 1547 acres will be a preserve just for trees. The forest has an excellent internal road system and is interwoven by many trails for hiking and skiing; a designated VAST snowmobile trail also crosses the property.
“Braintree Mountain Forest now is open to everyone for passive recreational purposes,” the release from the NEFF said.
In general, motorized uses, including ATVs, will be prohibited except for the existing VAST trail, which may not be expanded.
In acquiring the forestland over the years, Kendall and Rives wished to protect the headwaters of the Riford Brook watershed from development, as well as maintain the traditional mix of forest product and public recreation uses.
Dedicated hikers and crosscountry skiers themselves, they have led numerous treks through the forest and up the ridges, and have hosted ski trips of the Catamount Trail Association.
There are two major access points to the Braintree Mountain Forest, which will be provided with signs. One is a woods road near the top of Riford Brook Road, opposite the Macia Dustin home; the other is via LaRocque Road, just above Kendall Road.