Locally Controlled. Community Owned. 
Conserved Forever.

Spanning 840 acres in the northwest corner of Easton, the Cooley-Jericho Community Forest (CJCF) was created in 2013 to protect a large tract of upland forest on the ridgelines of Cole Hill and Cooley Hill. Four communities—Easton, Franconia, Landaff, and Sugar Hill—were involved in the creation of the Community Forest, which is now owned and managed by the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust (ACT) on behalf of the 4 participating towns. Permanently protected for all to enjoy, the property is open for many forms of recreation including hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross-country and glade skiing, hunting, and wildlife observation.

Logged extensively in the past, the CJCF is now regenerating and provides prime wildlife habitat. Black bear, moose, white-tailed deer, turkey, and bobcat have been documented on the property. There is also the possibility that American marten and Canada lynx may be found there. Bird observations at CJCF have included Canada warbler, ruffed grouse, olive-sided flycatcher, scarlet tanager, northern flicker, ovenbird, white-throated sparrow, wood thrush, American woodcock, hermit thrush, red eyed vireo, pileated woodpecker, hairy and downy woodpeckers, blue-headed vireo, raven and chestnut-sided warbler.

The name of the Forest reflects the local history of the area. The Cooley family lived and farmed in Sugar Hill for many years and had holdings in Easton as well as Sugar Hill. Jericho was a logging community in a remote section of Landaff.

The Cole family lived at the base of the Cole-Cooley hills & ridge line.  

Ready to start exploring? Download driving directions and trail map here!