Haunted Hiking in NH - Madame Sherri Forest

The estate of Madame Sherri is meant to be haunted. It is in ruins today, but in its time it was an exotic stone castle in Chesterfield, NH that was the summer home of Madame Antoinette Sherri, an eccentric Parisian singer who is rumored to have had a pet monkey and visited town wearing nothing but her fur coat.

I didn't hear any, but some visitors to this forest report hearing voices, music and the sounds of parties from a long time passed. Occasionally a visitor will even encounter the ghost of Madame Sherrie, beautiful and young, gracefully descending the stone stairway which still stands today.

The outdoor pool she built is so massive it looks like a pond. It's overgrown now, but it's easy to imagine what it was like in the 1920s when it was built with the house.

From the ruined estate, the Ann Stokes Loop is a pleasant 2-mile hike featuring exceptional views of Vernon Yankee (from East Hill ledge) and of Indian Pond (not a good swimming spot; it's reportedly full of leeches!) You can also reach the summits of either Daniels Mtn or Wantastiquet Mountain.

Wantastiquet Mountain (near Brattleboro, NH)

I couldn't remember this Indian name until I learned of this mnemonic device - I "Wanna- stick - it- in". Now I remember it!

For modest elevation gain, one gets some very nice vistas, including Monadnock and Stratton Mountains:

1) From East Hill ( a ledge looking south), you can see Northridge Mtn.
2) From Mine Ledge, you can see Mt. Monadnock
3) from Wantastiquet (the ledge at the Walter H. Child monument), you can see Brattleboro, the Connecticut and West Rivers, the Brattleboro Meadows (by the Retreat), Haystack Mountain and Stratton Mountain (the Meadows and Stratton are pictured).

Highlights were beautiful Indian Pond (with lots of leeches), Mine Ledge and the views over Brattleboro from the ledge with the Child Monument.

Thanks to AMC leader Lisa K. (not pictured) for leading the hike with Bridget, me, Betty Anne, Bridget's father Don and Pat (not pictured).

~6 miles, ~1,100 foot elevation gain
Summit: Wantastiquet Mountain = 1,350 feet
Trailhead: Madame Sherri Parking lot (on Gulf Road)
Route: Ann Stokes Loop SE toward Daniels Mtn, and then NW over East Hill (scenic view), around Indian Pond, and then west to Mine Ledge (scenic view) and the ledge with the Child Monument, then down Wantastiquet Mtn. to the Wal-Mart parking area (and Mountain Road trailhead)