Crotched Mountain > Foundation > ACCESSIBLE HIKING TRAIL.S               

The Dutton Brook Trail is Open for hiking

We have re-opened the Dutton Brook trail for hiking.  However, it should be noted:

• Leaves on the trail can limit the visibility of the surface of the trail in some areas. Please use caution.
• There are a number of areas that are very wet, but the surface has remained firm in most areas of the Dutton Brook Trail. The exceptions are areas that have remained somewhat soft in all conditions. These are areas we plan to have Peter Jensen look at in the Spring.
• Leaves on the bridges can make the surface very slippery. Please use caution.

The Gregg Trail shall remain closed due to some very wet and soft areas on the surface of the trail.

Accessible Trails Are Now Open to the Public 

Crotched Mountain officially opened its  accessible trails to the public on Saturday, June 25, 2011. The trails, built to the exacting accessibility standards of the U.S. Forest Service, are more than 2.4 miles in length. They are the longest accessible trails in a mountain environment in the U.S. The trails were constructed by Peter Jensen and Associates one of the country's leading designers and builders of accessible trails. Funds for this $500,000 project were raised through private donations and grants.

The opening of the trails and trailhead parking area complete the first phase of the
Outdoor Recreation Master Plan developed by Crotched Mountain in 2006. Two trails have been completed. The Dutton Brook Trail is a 2.0 round trip mile trail that extends through multiple forest habitats and loops around an abandoned beaver pond. It focuses on outdoor education and features multiple interpretive signs. The Gregg Trail, named after the founding family of the Crotched Mountain Foundation and Rehabilitation Center, is just under a mile in length and rises several hundred feet to a mountain plateau featuring magnificent views of the surrounding countryside.

Dutton Brook Trail

2 miles round trip

This interpretive trail winds around a beaver-built wetland that features diverse plant and animal
communities. The trail has a hard pack permeable surface combined with boardwalks and observation

decks offer hikers plenty of opportunities to observe and learn about native flora and fauna. Interpretive
signs familiarize users with the rich and complex natural beauty that abounds in the Monadnock Region.
Hikers can shorten this trip by turning around at the first lookout and returning to the trailhead (1.1 miles
round trip).

Gregg Trail

1.6 miles round trip

A series of switchbacks on a hard pack permeable surface trail rising 200 feet skirts extensive blueberry fields and crosses open grasslands over nearly a mile to reach a highland knoll, known for its vistas and hawk migration viewing. At the knoll, an observation deck rewards users with panoramic views to the west, south and east of the Monadnocks, the Contoocook River valley and other prominent landscape features.

Accessibility

Regardless of mobility or disability our trails are accessible to:

• People in wheelchairs (manual or power chairs)

• Children in strollers

• People using walkers or other mobility aids

• People with service animals

Wilderness Hiking Preparation

While the Dutton Brook and Gregg Trails were built using the U.S. Forest Service accessibility
standards, these are wilderness trails. It is important to be prepared and know your own physical,
mental, and technical abilities as well as your restrictions. Please review the info below and adjust
your plans accordingly. This way you can prevent problems that might cause personal injury, or
injury to others.

• Before you leave inform someone of your itinerary and expected time of return

• For safety, it’s a good idea to have a buddy hike with you especially if it’s your first time

• Pets and animals are not permitted on the trail (service animals are allowed)

• There are no bicycles or motorized vehicles allowed on the trails 
  (motorized and manual wheelchairs are permitted)

• No camping, open fires, glass, or smoking permitted on the trails

• Stay on the trails; stepping off the trails can lead to erosion and other trail damage

• Keep your distance from any wild animals you encounter

• Please carry out everything that you carry on to the trails

Hiking Checklist

In Case of Emergency

In case of an emergency on the trails find the nearest location identification marker (such as a trail education sign, an identifying trail marker, or a structure like a bridge) then call 911

If it is not an emergency and you need assistance, call the Crotched Mountain switchboard at 603-547-3311

Trail Hours

Both trails open 30 minutes after sunrise and close 30 minutes before sunset depending on current trail conditions.

Trail Openings and Closures

These trails can be damaged if weather conditions such as excessive rain make them too soft. It may be necessary for Crotched Mountain to close the trails in these circumstances

Contact us for trail openings and closures before your hike. Check this web page for daily updates.

Trails Through the Media...

Learn more about our award winning trails through national media coverage as well as our own informational podcasts.

Taking the iBot to Crotched Mountain

Mitch Sturgeon of  Enjoying the Ride  recently took his iBot on Crotched Mountain's accessible hiking trails. In this video, he describes his experience. We invite anyone to come enjoy the trails. More...

The Joy of Accessible Hiking Trails

For people with disabilities or older folks with trouble getting around, getting away from civilization and fully enjoying nature can be a challenge. Crotched Mountain Foundation in Greenfield, NH recently opened the largest high mountain accessible trail system in the U.S. Crotched's trails were built to exacting U.S. Forest Service specifications. In this podcast we talk with nationally regarded Forest Service accessible trails expert Janet Zeller who advised on Crotched Mountain Foundation's groundbreaking trail project.  More ...

NHPR feature story on Trails – Sept 29, 2011

Many people may not think twice before heading out on a fall day to climb a mountain.

But for people with a disability, or who simply have trouble moving around, choices are limited.

But there's one in southern New Hampshire now with the opening of Crotched Mountain Foundation's accessible mountain trail system. More...

Trails featured in Emerging Horizons - August 2, 2011

New Accessible Trails at Crotched Mountan
On June 25, 2011 the Crotched Mountain Foundation marked the completion of their Outdoor Recreation Master Plan, with the grand opening of two new wheelchair-accessible trails on their main campus in Greenfield, New Hampshire. Located just 75 miles from Boston, these trails are open to the public and present an excellent opportunity for wheelchair-users and slow walkers to get out and enjoy More Nature. More...

Crotched Mountain Earns 2011 Governor's Accessibility Award - July 26, 2011

Governor John Lynch presented Crotched Mountain Foundation with the 2011 Governor's Accessibility Award in recognition of its new accessible hiking trails at a ceremony in the Executive Council Chamber on July 26, 2011. The award also recognized the nonprofit for going above and beyond to remove barriers which bar persons with disabilities from participating in the mainstream of society. The Governor's Commission on Disabilities recommended the Foundation for this award. More ...

WMUR News 9 Feature: Trails Accommodate People with Disabilities - July 11, 2011

New Hampshire Chronicle Trails Feature - 
October 10, 2008

The Accessible Trails project started with a request from families of people with disabilities for accessible recreation activities.  
On October 10, 2008 WMUR-TV's NH Chronicle featured our accessible nature trail. View this video to learn how this adventure started.