Non-Trip Report for Hyland Hill in NH

[Tom Rankin]

Hyland Hill Fire Tower in SE NH is now off limits.

The access road is gated and there are LOTS of No Trespassing signs everywhere.

I sent an email to FFLA referencing http://www.firelookout.org/towers/nh/hyland.htm

 

[RoySwkr]

Saturday I spoke to district ranger Bryan Nowell of the NH Forest Fire Service.

He said that although the Hyland Hill tower is no longer used as a fire lookout, it houses communication equipment and the state still has a ROW to it. Visitors are welcome to hike in and climb the tower stairs but can't get into the cab. (The trees have grown such that there are limited views, however.)

Note that Capt. Nowell is a forester not an attorney. I would consider this hike in the category of the Mt Cabot Trail: while you perhaps have the right to hike it, not all abutting landowners may agree.

 

[Tom Rankin]

Saturday I spoke to district ranger Bryan Nowell of the NH Forest Fire Service.

He said that although the Hyland Hill tower is no longer used as a fire lookout, it houses communication equipment and the state still has a ROW to it. Visitors are welcome to hike in and climb the tower stairs but can't get into the cab. (The trees have grown such that there are limited views, however.)

Note that Capt. Nowell is a forester not an attorney. I would consider this hike in the category of the Mt Cabot Trail: while you perhaps have the right to hike it, not all abutting landowners may agree.

Assuming one could park legally, do you know exactly where the trail head is? We saw several gates along that stretch of road.

 

[RoySwkr]

Assuming one could park legally, do you know exactly where the trail head is? We saw several gates along that stretch of road.

The last time I was there was maybe 35 years ago when I drove a Honda sedan to the summit, and I believe there was one of the wooden signs pointing to the tower.

If you have a GPS, I suggest you digitize the coordinates from the USGS map, else measure the distance on the map from a junction or other known point.

 

[Tom Rankin]

The last time I was there was maybe 35 years ago when I drove a Honda sedan to the summit, and I believe there was one of the wooden signs pointing to the tower.

If you have a GPS, I suggest you digitize the coordinates from the USGS map, else measure the distance on the map from a junction or other known point.

Thanks. Any idea if you can go up Hylan Hill Road, or should we start from Hurricane Rd? (We do not have a 'rugged' vehicle).

Either way, I doubt the elevation gain or mileage of this hike will prove too difficult.

 

[Quietman]

Last time I was there you turned onto Hyland Hill Rd for a short distance down a little hill to a small parking area, where the road was gated. That was 10+/- years ago.

 

[Andrew]

Brian is actually a forest ranger not a forester. He is a law enforcement officer.

But I wonder if the state having a ROW includes the general public, or employees engaged in official duties?

 

[RoySwkr]

Brian is actually a forest ranger not a forester. He is a law enforcement officer.

But I wonder if the state having a ROW includes the general public, or employees engaged in official duties?

If you read the job description, they do law enforcement mostly timber issues, forest fire control, and forestry.

I would say it means anyone authorized by the property owner or his agent, or are you trying to say that if it's only my name on the deed I can't invite my spouse, kids, or friends?

Note that the map shows the summit area as a state forest, which is presumably open to the public in the absence of rules to the contrary.

 

[TrailwrightBratt]

Row

For what it's worth, Forest and Lands has a ROW to the E.Gilford and the Fire road that accesses the Round Pond Trail in the Belknap State Forest,and to the Forest itself. It is open to the public.There are NO no tresspassing signs which could make a difference.It would be nice to get a clarification of the legality of it all.

 

[Andrew]

If you read the job description, they do law enforcement mostly timber issues, forest fire control, and forestry.

I would say it means anyone authorized by the property owner or his agent, or are you trying to say that if it's only my name on the deed I can't invite my spouse, kids, or friends?

Note that the map shows the summit area as a state forest, which is presumably open to the public in the absence of rules to the contrary.

Yup, the main part of a forest rangers job is to handle forest law enforcement issues, but other agencies in DRED are asked to utilize forest rangers to enforce other laws on state forest and park lands. They are required to be certified through the NH police academy for law enforcement, and carry handguns. Just trying to clarify that there are also NH Forest and Land foresters, who job is to plan forest cuts on state lands, handle forest health issues, and many other similar duties. Foresters carry clipboards, maps, and other cool tree gadgets- not guns or (usually) Indian cans.

Wasn't saying anything,just a thought question- I know nothing. Want to rent a yurt?

 

[RoySwkr]

Want to rent a yurt?

I might just do that later this summer

A forest ranger job is ideal for the kid who can't decide if they want to be a policeman or a fireman

 

[TrailwrightBratt]

State Forest Fire Rangers DRED.

Don't forget one the more important jobs is Fire suppression and supervising wild land fires if called.They carry in their vehicles all kinds of fire fighting tools,chemicals etc.
They write commercial fire permits,involved with fire training and many other duties.They are a very important link serving many towns fire depts. in each district with information.
They supervise fire towers in thier districts, another important link in Fire suppression.They also work with the air patrols and towers pinpointing and locating wild land fires.
They are also involved in fire education in schools and public programs,and some one has to lead SMOKEY around.

 

[Andrew]

I might just do that later this summer

A forest ranger job is ideal for the kid who can't decide if they want to be a policeman or a fireman

....and a park manager or staff job is ideal for the kid who can't decide if they want to be a forest ranger, carpenter, recreational professional, or a glorified janitor.

 

[RoySwkr]

I was by there today and at the gate leaving Hurricane Rd not only are there no postings, there is no gate!

But there was a huge sheet of ice leading down across the first culvert so I didn't check the 2nd gate