by Katie Salvatore
The Molly-Charles Trail is a short trail filled with interesting sights. The Cordingley Preserve, in which it is located, was originally purchased by William R. Cordingley in 1913 from the Currier Farm.
Since then the farmland has reverted to forest and was donated by Robert and Nancy Steven to the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust. The trail is named after Robert Steven’s mother Molly, who taught him to love the forest.
The trail is formed by one main loop of generally flat terrain which is about 0.3 mile and two side trails which make the full trail nearly a half mile.
The two trails reach down to meet King Hill Brook, the second largest tributary to Lake Sunapee.
This preserve helps protect part of its watershed. Around the brook the rocks can be slippery and the ground uncertain, so be sure to stay on the trail!
Another unique feature of the Molly-Charles Trail is the pillow-and-cradle topography. During the 1938 hurricane trees were knocked over by the wind and pulled up clumps of earth with their roots; these formed “cradles.” Then, as the dirt fell down next to the cradles, they formed the “pillows.”
The trees that are still standing are interesting as well. The old-growth White Pines in this forest can live to be 400 years old and grow to 110 feet tall!
Some of these giants exhibit marks from woodpeckers. Other sights include an old well, rock walls, and a large boulder left from the glaciers.
Parking is along Soo Nipi Road in New London where the trailhead is located. Trail guides are found in the mailbox.
More info
The Cordingley Trails on the New London Conservation Commission website