09/03/2022
TAKE A HIKE AT MOECKEL POND
The public can park at two lots (Deer Leap and Moeckel Pond/Simpson Mill Canoe Launch) to hike on multiple trails with varying difficulty levels and some very scenic views. Most of the trails connect at the Deer Leap ledge, which is the main lookout point with beautiful views of Moeckel Pond.
The trails are color coded and marked on trees. The main red loop trail is one mile long. The orange and blue trails are .2 miles, the yellow trail is .3 miles long, and the white trail is less than .1 miles long.
For a less difficult trail, park at the Deer Leap parking lot and follow the one-mile red loop trail, which is primarily flat with few inclines. More advanced hikers can use the Moeckel Pond parking lot and follow the steep blue trail to the Deer Leap ledge. From there, hikers can access all of the other trails. Most of the trails include obstacles such as rocks and fallen trees, as well as steep inclines.
All of the trails bring hikers into nature, surrounded by trees, boulders, birds, chipmunks, and even some local history as an old cellar hole can be seen on the red trail.
Bring hiking shoes, walking stick, water, snack and bug spray. To get to the Deer Leap parking lot, turn onto Marblehead Road from Range Road. Follow Marblehead for 1.4 miles and turn right onto Woodbury. The parking lot is up on the left. To get to the Moeckel Pond lot, stay on Marblehead for 1.7 miles and then turn right onto Bayleaf Way, which turns into a dirt road ending in the parking lot.
For a trail map visit https://windhamnh.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8157/Deer-Leap