Velvet Rocks Ravine: Rich Mesic Forest
Description: The Velvet Rocks Trail (a segment of the Appalachian Trail) passes through a very small cove of rich mesic forest in this small mountain glen just a few miles east of Dartmouth College. This is an uncommon forest type in the state. Trees such as white ash, basswood, yellow birch, sugar maple, and beech as well as several interesting plant species can be viewed from the trail. This unusual natural community species composition results from mineral enrichment of the soil, likely from underlying calcareous bedrock (most of NH’s bedrock is a more acidic granite).
Directions: From Rte. 120 in Hanover, park at Chase Field. The AT enters the woods to the east at a trailhead, and it is about 2.5 miles east to the ravine.
Landowner: White Mountain National Forest
Images (hold mouse over image for caption)
Goldie's fern (Dryopteris goldiana), a rare plant at Velvet Rocks Ravine (photo by Ben Kimball)
herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)
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