LOCATION #4 Riley Trail System - Concord City Forest - Concord, NH

This location is one of two I found in my researching the Concord, NH trail system that were marked as an accessible location.  After my accessing this trail, I'm not so sure everyone can take full advantage of this excellent location.
If you use a manual wheelchair, I hope you are in amazing shape.  The trail is a steady decline to a deck built on the side of the marsh.  The trip back to your vehicle is a steady climb... that I honestly do not think I could make at this time on a manual chair.  My electric on the other hand handled this trail much better than I expected.

The HC ACC trail is the lighter yellow trail that starts from the parking area and goes down to the viewing platform.

Road Sign at the parking area

The viewing platform at Hoyt Marsh, on the Riley Trail System

The staring point of the trail to the viewing platform

The trail heads into the woods from the parking lot.  The beginning section has a central rut that at the moment has collected leaves.  This is actually the worst part of the trail as far as condition is concerned.  It could stand to use a bit of grading.  

The rest of the trail is wonderfully packed and free of roots or protruding rocks.  In fact, the only bump was when I drove over the slight difference in elevation from trail to deck.

The trail down to the viewing platform within the forested section

Once arriving at the platform, you are greeted by a wonderful view, especially this time of year with all the beautiful color in the leaves coming out.

Hoyt Marsh, looking NW from the viewing platform

The waters surface is approximately 50% covered by Lilly Pads.  Wildlife can often be seen here.  I of course focused my attentions on the birds I could see.  I found a few nice species while there.

A Great Blue Heron fishes along the NW shoreline of the marsh

A Red-shouldered Hawk at the top of a very large pine tree

For a half hour or so I listened to a crying hawk.  It was almost non-stop.  I was searching the trees in the location the calls seemed to emanate from.  I finally located the bird atop one of the huge pine trees on the NE shore across the marsh.

Looking back towards the parking lot, I had some fun with trees and the sun.

I was at the platform for a couple of hours.  The highlight for me was locating a migrating Rough-legged Hawk.  It was extremely high up.  RLHA's are such beautiful Raptors; I wish it had come down to say hello!