Moosing around
First in a two-part series on wildlife observations close to home
By DENNIS APRILL, Outdoors Columnist
Providing interesting out-of-state outdoor adventure destinations within a half-day’s drive was my goal four years ago when rising gas prices were keeping people closer to home. Since 9-11, and the airport lines that followed, there are many who are re-discovering outdoor opportunities nearby.
The focus this week is on wildlife observation - species not found or certainly not common in northern New York that can be experienced within a relatively short drive away. In the first of a two-part series, we’ll start with the moose.
Moose observation in New Hampshire
Colebrook, New Hampshire is only a three-hour drive from Plattsburgh, and in the area surrounding that town are some of the highest moose concentrations in North America. Each May, my daughter Karalyn and I venture over there to get some photos and do some fishing.
The key spots to find moose in the New Hampshire North Country are north of Pittsburg (about 19 miles from Colebrook via Route 3) and east toward Errol. Our usual plan, after we arrive in Colebrook and check in at the Mohawk Cottages where we plan ahead to spend the night, is to drive east on Route 26 over Dixville Notch and go past the luxurious Balsam’s Resort. At the eastern foot of the very narrow and picturesque Notch is an extensive wetland that borders the road. This is an excellent place to see a moose, especially toward evening. Slow driving is a must here.
Also at the very foot of the Notch is a sign pointing to an observation deck that overlooks part of the wetland, though we’ve never seen moose from this structure.
The reason why moose gravitate toward the roadside wetlands in the spring is the run-off of road salt that collects in the ditches. Moose seek out salt and create "licks" or wallows in the muddy, salty muck.
From this wetland, we usually drive through Errol, then east on Highway 16 toward Wilsons Mills, Maine. The road here parallels the Androscoggin and Magalloway Rivers and is a good place to see moose. Because northern New Hampshire is so narrow, the entire trip, to and from Maine, can be made in a couple hours.
After visiting friends in the evening, Karalyn and I get up early the next morning and drive north to Pittsburg, then further on Route 3 to the Connecticut Lakes. On the way, we stop at the Moriah Diner in Pittsburg, noted for its excellent breakfasts that include satellite dish-sized pancakes, huge portions of bacon and eggs - all at a very reasonable price. I still have not been able to clear my plate.
One of the most reliable moose crossings is at Coon Brook between First and Second Connecticut Lakes, roughly 11 miles north of Pittsburg. Six miles beyond the brook, on the right is the dirt road that leads to East Inlet, a ponded backwater surrounded by boreal forest that is owned by the Nature Conservancy. It, too, is an excellent area for not only moose, but the rare spruce grouse as well.
After a morning at the upper lakes-sometimes fishing, other times canoeing-we head back and are home by suppertime. In the 10 years we have been making these trips together, we have always seen at least one moose, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get "skunked" someday. Most of the moose "licks" are marked by warning signs for drivers to slow down — good advice because another indicator of a moose crossing is the skid marks left by drivers who did not heed the warning.
Field Notes: To get to Colebrook from Rouses Point Bridge, take Route 2 in Vermont east to Route 78. Continue east on this highway to Sheldon Junction. From here, turn on Route 105 and go east to North Stratford, New Hampshire. Then drive north 11 miles on Route 3 to Colebrook. A Delorme New Hampshire Atlas and Gazetteer is a great help in locating some of the more out of the way places. The Mohawk Cottages (603-237-4310) are located just outside Colebrook on Route 26.