At Welch Family Farm and Forest, you’ll find what remains of the homestead and farm of the Welch family, who emigrated from Ireland in the 1860s. The Welches pastured cattle and raised vegetables and fruit trees in the fields. Nearby is the foundation where the farmhouse once stood. You’ll also find a large beaver pond, which in recent years has flooded the main trail connecting Welch Forest to Kulish Forest. On Kulish Forest, an extensive but unmarked network of old woods roads and trails runs through ledgy woods of white pine, red oak, sugar maple andbirch. Kulish Forest contains excellent habitat for bobcats, so look for their tracks if you are out snowshoeing in winter months.
The Welch and Kulish Forests abut one another in Hancock and share access points. The properties are located about 2 miles northwest of thecenter of Hancock and about 15 miles east of downtown Keene.
Help us care for this property by following these guidelines during your visit:
The access to Welch Family Farm and Forest is on the north side of Route 123 northwest of the center of Hancock, about 1000 feet south/east of the intersection with Hunts Pond Road. There is a property sign and tree farm sign for Welch Farm at this location. Please do not block the gate.
Open dawn to dusk
Full list of use guidelines available HERE
Please note that this property may be difficult to access in winter due to winter roadside parking bans and/or unplowed parking areas.