IMPORTANT:  Due to the Weather Forecast for Saturday, this hike is now on SUNDAY.

The dePierrefeu-Willard Pond Wildlife Sanctuary is often overlooked for the more popular hiking spots in the Monadnock Region, but it provides a peaceful place to hike with beautiful views and an abundance of wildlife.  This is the largest Audubon property in NH and offers a remarkable diversity of features, including Hatch Mill Pond, the 100-acre Willard Pond, Bald Mountain and Goodhue Hill, both summits offering views into the surrounding Monadnock area.  This hike will be approximately 6.5-7 miles.  It will encircle the Hatch Mill Pond with a side trip up to Goodhue Hill and will continue along the western shore of Willard Pond before finishing up by ascending Bald Mountain (and its sister peaks).  The ascent up to Bald Mountain is an elevation gain of 850 feet (cumulative gain for the day is about double that).

Trailhead:  From Rte 202, go west on Rte 137, take a right on 123 at Hancock Center and go about three miles where you will turn right on Willard Pond Rd. Then go .7 miles to grouping of mailboxes under a roof, bear left and continue for .9 miles to the end.  There is a parking area on the left towards the end of the road.  Look for a grey Toyota Corolla.

What to Bring:  Typical fall hiking gear should be appropriate:  shorts or convertible hiking pants, good sturdy hiking boots with thick socks and a windbreaker/raingear (just in case).  Also bring along lunch, snacks and plenty of water.  Optionally, sunscreen and anything else that you may require for a day hike. 

Afterwards:  We should be completed with the hike by 4-5 PM.  If there is sufficient interest, we'll cap the day off with dinner/drinks in the area afterwards.

NOTE:  No dogs will be permitted on this hike as it is a wildlife sanctuary.  (Sources of information are split on whether or not dogs are actually allowed, but to be on the safe side, I'm not allowing dogs on this trip.)