The Joslin Loop Trail at Crotched Mountain Town Forest in Francestown, New Hampshire is an easy 3.6-mile loop hike that passes through the forest and covers several trails along the way.
Location: Crotched Mountain Town Forest is located in the Monadnock region of New Hampshire. This hike was done by accessing the trail network from the Farrington Road Trailhead parking area. Parking is just off of Route 136 in the town of Francestown, NH.
Trail name: Joslin Loop Trail.
Allowed activities: walking, hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, picnicking, birding, geocaching, foraging, fishing and hunting.
Forbidden activities: No fires, no motorized vehicles except on posted Class "A" roads. No wheeled vehicles are allowed on Class "A" roads from Dec 15 to May 15.
Warning: This is a multi-use area and hunting is allowed in this forest. It is recommended that those who visit during any hunting season wear “Blaze Orange” or some other brightly colored garment. Bright garments help hikers to stand out against the forest colors and not mistaken as a moving target.
Hours: Trails are open daily. There are no times for opening or closing at this trailhead parking area.
Parking: There is plenty of parking near the trailhead. Winter parking cannot be guaranteed and visitors may need to park on Farrington Road if the parking area is not plowed out.
Pets: Dogs are allowed on the trails as long as they are leashed and animal waste is carried out with the hiker.
Accessibility: There are the expected pathway trip hazards along these trails: tree roots, wet leaves, rocks, mud, and tree debris. Hikers should have the ability to traverse uneven terrain. The pedestrian bridge that spans an active beaver dam section is sturdy and very easy to cross. During wet weather, the trail can be covered by small streams or be muddy in some areas.
Sanitation: There are no restrooms or trash bins at the Farrington Road Trailhead. Please carry out any waste.
Trail information: There is a Trail kiosk with posted maps at the trail head parking area. There is a small back mailbox on the side of the kiosk, which sometimes has maps to take and return. Hikers can print a map before heading out by going to the link below:
Length and features: This journey on the Joslin Loop Trail is an easy 3.6 mile trail. This hike was done as a loop incorporating the following route and connections: From the Farrington Road Trailhead parking area begin the hike taking the Quarry Loop Trail, Link Trail, Joslin Loop Trail, Farrington Road, Bullard Hill Road and back to the Link trail and back to the Farrington Road Parking lot. There are no trail blaze markers, however the trail is well traveled and is easy to follow. At most of the trail junctions there are trail signs posted, however some are a bit unclear or unreadable. Keeping to the left at most of the junctions ensures easy navigation. This trail substrate is typical forest floor with some gravel areas, it is wide and easily traversed. There are some hill sections, but nothing too severe or strenuous. This would be an awesome place to come for a winter cross country ski or snow shoe. The Joslin trail runs near the Rand Brook. Depending on the season, visitors can see tiny waterfalls along the way. It is a lovely wooded area with plenty of tree canopy even in early springtime.
