New Trail Guides Celebrate the Wild and Wonderful in Pelham

Pelham’s conservation areas are more than just scenic places to walk—they’re living classrooms, full of history, wildlife, and ecological wonder. That’s why the Community Trail Coalition has launched a new project to create trail brochures and educational videos for each major conservation area in town.

First up: Cutler-Spalding and Gumpus Pond — two trails packed with natural surprises and community stories.

🦝 Cutler-Spalding Conservation Area
Tucked into the southwest corner of Pelham, this 500-acre expanse connects with other open spaces to form the largest block of protected land in town. Follow white blazes along Pelham’s “Long Trail” through rolling forest, wetland habitat, and past relics of the past—like centuries-old stone walls and a root cellar once used by early settlers.

Cutler-Spalding is also a place of resilience. After a wildfire scorched 32 acres in 2021, the forest began a remarkable recovery—sprouting new life, supporting returning wildlife, and demonstrating how nature heals itself. Visitors might spot white-tailed deer, porcupines, turkeys, owls, and frogs in vernal pools nestled among oaks and hemlocks.

🦫 Gumpus Pond Conservation Area
Just down the road, Gumpus Pond’s 200+ acres offer a different story: one shaped by beavers. These aquatic engineers have built and expanded a dam system here for over 35 years, creating a thriving wetland that hosts ducks, otters, frogs, and the elusive green heron. Did you know Gumpus gets its name from the Native American word Gomposonque, meaning “long pond”?

This area is also rich in glacial history, with boulders left behind by the Ice Age and vibrant fall foliage reflecting off the pristine pond. With moderately challenging trails and incredible wildlife viewing—like hooded mergansers and barred owls—Gumpus is a haven for curious kids and nature-loving adults alike.

📍 Ready to explore?
Download your free brochures at PelhamPathways.com and hit the trail! Whether you’re walking, biking, or snowshoeing, these guides will help you discover more, notice more, and fall in love with Pelham’s natural side all over again.

📬 Want to help?
We’re always looking for volunteers to help create content, maintain trails, and lead educational events. Contact us at pelhampathways@gmail.com to get involved.

Let the trails tell their stories—and let’s make sure they’re heard.