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29 March 2011

A Mountainous Gaze from Mt. Hayes (Mahoosuc Range)


The Mahoosuc mountain range extends from Gorham, NH to Grafton Notch in Maine. Mt. Hayes is the last peak at the southern end of this range, and it's also ranks last in terms of altitude, reaching only 2,555 ft at its summit. The tallest peak in this range is Old Speck at 4,170 ft.

Although it's officially the spring season, there's still plenty of winter to go around! I've been to Mt. Hayes on a number of occasions, but have only ventured up there once during snow-season. That trip was done about 4 years ago using the Centennial Trail. This past Tuesday (29-Mar-2011), I decided to access Mt. Hayes via the Mahoosuc Trail since I'd never done a snowshoe hike using that trail. (By the way, at the end of this report, I'll give some details about parking.)

Upon reaching the trailhead on Hogan Road, it was a pleasant surprise to find that there was evidence of human foot traffic along this trail. Although the track consisted of a combination of snowshoe and bare-boot activity, the treadway was overall in pretty good shape.

But, as might be expected (if I'd thought about it), the broken-out trail ended at the spur path for Mascot Pond. From that point onward, the main Mahoosuc Trail was unbroken. There were occasional deep post holes that had been created by moose that had decided to "hike" a segment of the trail here and there.
Although I broke trail for the remainder of my journey, it's really not saying too much!  Fortunately, the snowpack was very firm which allowed me to basically walk on top of the snow.  And actually, since the snow smoothed out all the rocks and roots, I think I made better time than during warm-weather conditions!

In about 1.5 hrs from leaving my car, I arrived at the wide-open ledges located about 0.3 mile from the actual summit of Mt. Hayes. The first thing to catch my eye was something that led me to believe that maybe true springtime conditions are actually coming! It was nice to see that there was a large portion of ledge that was snow-free and dry! It made a perfect spot for lunch.
Although the views were great to experience in-person, the lighting conditions were not ideal for taking photos on this particular day. I'll bore you with just 2 snapshots taken from this ledge.

LOOKING SOUTHWARD DOWN THE PINKHAM NOTCH
VIEW FEATURING MT. MORIAH AND NORTH CARTER
After visiting the ledges, I hiked further northward along the Mahoosuc Trail. I stopped for a moment at the cairn marking the summit of Mt. Hayes, and then continued onward to the junction of the Centennial Trail.
From this junction, I decided to do some exploring off-trail. This exploration provided some decent views. There was a nice vista toward Cascade Mountain, even though it was partially obstructed by trees (SEE PHOTO BELOW).
Also, way off in the distance, there was also a view toward the Pilot Range. The highly-zoomed snapshot below shows this particular vista. (It's by far not the best photo I've ever taken!)
After my little off-trail exploration, I began the return-leg of my journey. When I arrived at the spur trail for Mascot Pond, I opted to do take the 10 minute side-trip just for the heck of it. None of the snapshots taken from there were particularly inspiring. However, I will show one photo (SEE BELOW) taken from this location. It's looking toward the entrance to the old mine shaft (circled in red) which is located at the base of Leadmine Ledge.
I didn't take the time to remove my snowshoes in order to trek up to the old mine on the loose gravel surface. However, I've been up there during warm-weather months and have taken photos such as the one shown below.
The entrance to the mine shaft has been barricaded not only for human safety, but also for the safety of the bat population that lives there. Click HERE for an interesting link that contains additional information about this.

After my brief visit to Mascot Pond, I retraced my steps back to my parked car. Along the way, I took the photo shown below. It's looking down the canal toward the powerhouse with Imp Mountain and North Carter in the background.

TRAILHEAD PARKING:
Okay, as to where I parked, here goes! As you know, the trailhead for the Mahoosuc Trail in Gorham is sort of in "no-man's land", especially during snow season when Hogan Road is closed. The current White Mountain Guide (28th Edition) only provides directions via the Hogan Road approach. Since the road is closed to automobile traffic in winter that would mean doing a 4.5 mile road-walk. I didn't do that!

The sign at the trailhead (SEE PHOTO BELOW) contains the words "US Rt. 2 VIA RAIL TO TRAIL". Those words are preceded by an arrow pointing in the direction from which I had come. The sign further indicates it is 2 miles to some point on Rt. 2. Wherever that point might be, I didn't park there either! Actually, it's unclear to me if the sign is even directing you to a parking spot??
Public parking is permissible in a lot at the base of the old B&M railroad bridge on the east side of US Rt 16. This is where I parked. The lower deck of this bridge is available for pedestrian use. It's perfectly safe to cross on-foot, especially since metal decking has been installed within recent years.

Once you walk over the bridge to the other side, you will immediately see a huge sign that points to "AMC Trail" (SEE PHOTO BELOW). And, all along the way, there are additional signs and blue blazes that guide you to the trailhead. This route does NOT take you over the dam at the powerhouse! (As the current White Mountain Guide correctly points out, it is no longer permissible to cross the dam at the east end of the canal where the powerhouse is located.)
I think it should be said that even though I parked in the public lot at the base of the old B&M bridge on Rt. 16, this location is not sanctioned as trailhead parking (at least that is my understanding). Therefore, each person would need to decide for themselves whether to use this as a launch point for a hike to Mt. Hayes on the Mahoosuc Trail.

TO SUM IT UP: It's a great half-day hike up to the ledges on Mt. Hayes. Yes, some of the views from this ledge incorporate the village of Gorham in the line of sight. However, I don't let that discourage me from visiting this spot now and then since the views from there are quite nice, at least in my opinion!
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ADDENDUM:
Since publishing my report, I've received the following E-mail communications.

1) The following was received from a Gorham resident.

“The walkway under the trestle and the conversion of the upper deck to a snowmobile bridge was done by the town of Gorham with state funds. The state owns the trestle and the parking area adjacent to the trestle, so it's perfectly legit to cross over the river via either the upper or lower deck. Brookfield hydro owns the RR right of way from the trestle to the papermill upriver, so the AMC has elected not to maintain the trail in this section. The "AMC trail" signs between the trestle and the trailhead were installed by Brookfield and are their recommended route around the hydro station which is now gated off on both sides.”

2) The following was received from an AMC spokesperson in regard to the sign at the trailhead for the Mahoosuc Trail which gives a mileage of 2.0 miles to Rt 2.

"We changed the mileage on that sign to reflect the change in distance when hikers were no longer allowed to cross the dam and when the lower deck of the trestle by VIP Auto Parts in Rt 16 in Gorham was closed off for hikers and there was no plans to repair it. This added some distance walking the roads and rail-to-trail from the RT 2 Snowmobile parking area just a little past KFC . . . the State was able to provide the funding and repair and reopen the lower deck for hikers allowing them to park and cross at RT 16 once again. Simply, this sign [has] not yet reflected that change . . . I have CC'd . . . the AMC Trails Supervisor . . . so he can add this sign to his project list for 2011."
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Leaving a comment via this Blog is always appreciated. However, if you prefer to ask a question or make a comment via a personal E-mail, then you may contact me at: randonneur8 at yahoo dot com.

17 comments:

ab said...

Thanks for the parking info.

1HappyHiker said...

Glad you found the parking info useful!

As indicated in my report, for whatever reason the parking area on Rt. 16 at the B&M bridge is not sanctioned as trailhead parking for the Mahoosuc Trail (at least, as I understand it). However, the lower deck of the bridge is set up for pedestrian use. Each time I've been there (including this most recent time), other cars have been parked in the lot and I've met someone walking the roads on the other side of the bridge.

John

Summerset said...

Interesting hike, and the view down Pinkham Notch is stunning. The Mahoosucs are on my list of places to visit one of these years, and this sounds like a good introduction to the area.

1HappyHiker said...

Thank you Summerset for taking a moment to post a comment!

Yes, I think you’re correct about Mt. Hayes being a good introduction to the Mahoosucs.

Besides Mt. Hayes, there are some other places in the general vicinity of the Mahoosucs which you might also want to consider as an introduction to the area. I’m referring to some low-altitude places which are just slightly south of the main Mahoosuc ridge, i.e. places such as Mt. Crag and Mt. Ingalls (via the recently re-opened Scudder Trail). But, if you’re a more aggressive hiker, then the Mahoosucs are more than willing to accommodate you with destinations such as Mt. Success, Goose Eye, Old Speck, etc!

Thanks again,
John

ab said...

It's 1HappyHiker's blog, but I'll throw in my Mahoosuc pics:

Middle Mountain (March 7, 2010)
https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=6408&id=100000720654864&l=604510c1a3

Peabody Brook, Dream Lake, Dryad Fall, and Austin Brook (July 7, 2010)
https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=15514&id=100000720654864&l=b81d3f220f

Mount Carlo and Goose Eye (September 6, 2010)
https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32801&id=100000720654864&l=36fb725f43

Mount Cabot and Mount Ingalls (March 26, 2011)
https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=49224&id=100000720654864&l=fe07ebb7b2

Marty said...

John,

The pictures are never boring, regardless of lighting- what a great exploration! It also appears that you did a good amount of "off trail" exploration in researching the parking and land owner questions. I had forgotten that Grant and I had set out on the Centennial Trail and ended up doing a bushwhack to nowhere. I need to put it back on my list!!!

1HappyHiker said...

Marty . . . thanks for the nice comments! And regarding putting Mt. Hayes back on your list, yup I don’t think you’d regret it! It’s just my opinion, but I think it’s a terrific half-day hike, and it could be extended to a longer hike by including Cascade Mountain . . . too bad there isn’t some way of constructing a loop hike to include Cascade Mtn!

John

Grant said...

Very interesting post! I didn't know there were mine shafts around NH. You also did some impressive camera work with that cloud cover! Your posts are great because they show a side of NH that goes beyond the brand name peaks.

1HappyHiker said...

Grant . . . hey thanks for those very nice comments!

I do have a definite personal preference to visit places “beyond the brand name peaks”. Occasional visits to the brand-name peaks can also be rewarding, but when those visits become more than “occasional”, I quickly get bored.:)

John

Anonymous said...

I walked for 5 hours today and never found Mt. Hayes. There are the two big red AMC signs, the postage stamp size sign for Mahoosuc Trail detour, 3 blue blazes and then nothing. Where does the trail turn off the snowmobile trail to head up Mt. Hayes?

1HappyHiker said...

So sorry to read that you were unable to locate the south end of the Mahoosuc trail which leads to Mt. Hayes. If it's any consolation, this is not uncommon. It can be very difficult to locate.

I wish I could sit down with you and show you on a map how to access the trailhead. But failing in that, perhaps the best I can do is to quote from the most recent version of the White Mountain Guide (29th edition). If the following quote is of little value, the please feel free to contact me via e-mail (randonneur8 AT yahoo DOT com).

"From the western jct. of NH 16 and US 2 in Gorham, drive north on NH 16 for 0.3 mi. to a parking area on the right, on the north side of the old railroad bridge. Cross the Androscoggin River on the pedestrian walkway on the lower level of the bridge; watch for low head clearance on both ends of the bridge. On the east bank, turn sharply left (sign for AMC Trail) onto a dirt road and follow it northeast, bearing right to meet Presidential Range Rail Trail at 0.3 mi. from NH 16. Turn left onto the rail trail (AMC Trail sign) and follow it across the rail trail bridge over the canal. On the far side of the bridge, just before a gate, turn right onto an unmarked foot path into the woods, ascending to a dirt road (an extension of Hogan Rd.) at 0.6 mi. Turn right onto this road and follow it to the point where Mahoosuc Trail diverges sharply left from Hogan Rd. at 1.1 mi. from NH 16."

John

JB said...

Hi Mr. HappyHiker, hopefully I've not made a double post. Have you by any chance hiked the Mahoosuc trail to Hayes since this blog post? I'd like to give it a try this weekend and wondering if the information is still accurate. Sounds like most people new to this trail get confused. I'm going to give myself plenty of time to get to the summit and then back to the ledges by sunset. Am I correct in understanding that views are better from the ledges?

Thanks!

1HappyHiker said...

Hi Joanne,

Sorry for the delayed reply. I’ve been out hiking all day, and just now read your posting.

Regarding your question as to whether the info presented in my blog posting is still accurate, to the best of my knowledge, yes it is still accurate. The only modification of which I’m aware is that parking by the old B&M railroad bridge is now perfectly okay (page 530 of the 29th edition of AMC’s White Mountain Guide confirms this.)

And lastly, yes you are 100% correct that the views from Mt. Hayes are best from the ledges located south of the summit. Actually, there are no views from the actual summit.

Hope this is helpful. Please feel free to ask any follow-up questions. And if you prefer to contact me by e-mail, you may do so at randonneur8@yahoo.com.

John

JB said...

Thanks, this is perfect. If you are interested, I'll let you know how it goes.

1HappyHiker said...

Sure, you can let me know how it went, either via this blog, or via e-mail at the address I provided in my previous reply to you, or I can see it if you post your hike to Facebook’s NH 52 WAV page.

John

MS1215 said...

Hi 1HappyHiker,

I hiked and camped on Mt. Hayes when I was about 13 (20+ years ago!) with my dad and have such fond memories. My husband and I are looking for a 2 night backpacking trip this weekend and I was thinking about taking him up Hayes- spending the first night at Mascot Pond and second night near the summit. But it occurred to me today that I have no idea if camping is even allowed there still. Would you happen to know?

Are there any other spots you'd recommend for a 2 night trip?

Thanks in advance!

1HappyHiker said...

Hi,

Regarding your question about the current camping rules at Mascot Pond and Mt. Hayes, I’m sorry to say that I can be of no help in that regard. I’m strictly a day-hiker, and therefore have never paid attention to what is allowed/disallowed relative to camping.

And regarding your question about recommendations for a 2-night backpacking trip, I wish there were some firm recommendations I could provide, but once again I’m sorry to say that I can be of little help. If you want to stay in the Gorham/Shelburne area, there are two places where I know for certain that camping is allowed. One is the Gentian Pond Shelter (Austin Brook Trail), and the other is the Rattle River Shelter (Rattle River Trail). Perhaps you could look at a trail map and come up with some sort of hike that would incorporate one of those shelters??

Happy trails to you!

John