FAR NORTH REGION

Third Connecticut Lake

The trail above First Connecticut Lake region is in the development stages and is bypassed by road walking in Moose Alley (Route 3). By the early summer of 2001 the trail reached Ramblewood Cabins and Campground in Pittsburg, NH a mile north of West Bay on First Connecticut Lake. North of East Inlet Road (ten miles up the line on Route 3) just north of Second Connecticut Lake, the Trail follows the Route 5 Snowmobile Trail to Deer Mt. Campground and then just west of Moose Flowage, then around to the west of Third Connecticut Lake and on up to the Customs Station at the border. At the border station, pick up the Fourth Connecticut Lake Trail, maintained by the Nature Conservancy.

As you continue north the trail enters more and more private and restricted lands where day use is permitted but overnight camping and fires are strictly forbidden. Check out the Where To Stay page for state and private campgrounds and local lodges. Rudy's Cabins at Clarksville Pond and Ramblewood Cabins and Campground at First Connecticut Lake, or Tall Timber Lodge at Back Lake in Pittsburg service this region.

DIAMOND POND ROAD & TRAIL OPEN To access Big Diamond Pond and Sportsman's Lodge, walk on good dirt road or the new adjacent snowmobile trail northeast over half a mile to the lodge down by the lake.
HOLDEN HILL ROAD OPEN A side service road that runs uphill from Little Diamond Pond to the towers on Holden Hill and restricted views. Best visited when leaves are off the trees.
KEITH HAYNES TRAIL OPEN This well-built snowmobile trail snakes south then west from Little Diamond Pond to the Heath Road. It begins just south of Coleman State Park Campground, on the right just beyond the broken down stone and concrete dam
THE HEATH ROAD ROAD An old and very narrow, little used dirt farm lane that links the Keith Haynes Trail to the Bear Rock Road.
BEAR ROCK ROAD ROAD A gravel and then paved town road running west past the chain of Bear Rock Bog wetlands and through abandoned farm country.
MACALESTER ROAD ROAD Formerly called the Haynes Hill Road, this is a little used but beautiful northbound lane that is very narrow and flanked with fine fences over half its length. Rises beside Mudget Mt. to grand views, then to Creampoke junction and on north past camps and more views.
COVILL ROAD OPEN Macalester Road runs on high open ridge then narrows in woods and reaches a very very tight dogleg to the right (when northbound) and becomes the so-called Covill Road.
OLD FERGUSON ROAD OPEN An ancient lane through grown-over farmland and the spectacular Weir Tree Farm with one of the best views in all of New Hampshire. Route is easy to follow on the abandoned town road which links with the Clarksville Pond Road.
CLARKSVILLE POND ROAD & SHATNEY ROAD ROAD A good town dirt road. Take it westbound to Clarksville Pond. Then move past the pond westbound until the Shatney Road comes into view. Turn right onto the Shatney Road and stay left at a fork and walk a quarter mile to the Ben Young Hill Trail.
BEN YOUNG TRAIL OPEN A new trail has been opened along the entire south flank of Ben Young Hill. It was blazed and opened on Columbus Day weekend 2000. The remainder of the trail, down the north flank of the sprawling low peak, is a skidway and old gravel access lane (washed out in places). The route off the height of land takes you out to Route 145. To reach Pittsburg, you must now walk north downhill on Route 145 about two miles.
DEADWATER TRAIL PROPOSED This is a new trail to be built. It will bypass a lot of road walking on Rt 145 and Cedar Stream Road. It will take hikers from the highest point on Ben Young Hill down into the Deadwater region. This should greatly improve the hiking experience./td>
CEDAR STREAM ROAD ROAD A well built dirt tote road that runs many miles along the south shore of Lake Francis. Walk more than six miles with views about half the distance.
MURPHY DAM OPEN A lane atop Murphy Dam which holds back Lake Francis. Take it to get to Pittsburg village and supplies.
BOG BRANCH ROAD ROAD Two-wheel track accesses Carr Ridge region north of State easements. Cross two bridges then drift left toward Lake Francis onto the Lake Francis Trail.
LAKE FRANCIS TRAIL OPEN The Lake Francis Trail is a well-used snowmobile trail in winter. It runs in very close to Lake Francis at one point offering a wonderful six-mile view across the lake from the wide shoreline. Aways stay left at all intersections (right if southbound) keeping with the lake or the river until you cross the Connecticut River on the Carr Ridge bridge and reach the River Road.
RIVER ROAD TO YOUNG'S STORE OPEN Access is from the River Road. Signs will be posted as soon as snow is gone since permission is in place for this trail.
PROSPECT MOUNTAIN TRIAL PROPOSED TCTA does not have permission to complete this trail as of yet. Will keep you posted on it's progress.
THREE MOOSE TRAIL PROPOSED This trial will run over Mt. Covill with it's fine views and then down to Round Pond
ROUND POND TRAIL PROPOSED TCTA does not have permission as yet to move east and southward along Round Pond Brook and out to Route 3. Retreat to Route 3 and walk eastbound to Camp Otter Road.
CAMP OTTER ROAD ROAD This dirt road runs south to the shores of First Connecticut Lake. It forks left at a Y in the road.
FIRST LAKE TRAIL PROPOSED Hope to open it sometimes in 2007.
FALLS IN THE RIVER TRAIL PROPOSED This proposed trail from the Magalloway Road up the north side of the Connecticut River runs all the way to Second Connecticut Lake Dam. All permission is not in hand yet, so a rough bushwhack is the only way through.
SECOND LAKE TRAIL PROPOSED No trail exists as yet from Second Connecticut Lake landing to East Inlet Road.
BLACK CAT SPUR TRAIL OPEN Across from East Inlet Rd. to just below Deer Mt. Campground.
MOOSE FLOWAGE TRAIL OPEN This wonderful old gated road with no traffic runs west of Moose Flowage and Third Connecticut Lake in State easements and over a short stretch of former Day use only. Not blazed or signed with CT signs. Stay in the valley near the water and streams. Pass Moose Flowage and Third Connecticut Lake and wander up to the Customs Station at the border.
DEER MT. TRAIL CLOSED Old abandoned route on service road to the site of the former fire tower. Trail is on former International Paper Corp. land. Day use only. Very difficult to find and follow. Only experienced ushwhackers attempt it now. We hope to restore and reopen this fine old trail by 2009 or 2010. Plans also exist in the state plan to reopen this trail.
FOURTH LAKE TRAIL OPEN This mile-long trail maintained by the Nature Conservancy uses the U.S.-Canadian border and a short steep trail to access the two-acre fen that is the headwaters of the Connecticut River.
BOUNDARY CLEARINGS OTHER The U.S.-Canadian border is marked by a wide cleared (now growing in heavily) swath in the forest running east-west.
LINK TO 50-MILE SENTIERS FRONTALIERS SYSTEM TO MONT MEGANTIC, QUEBEC OTHER Hopefully this will be connected in 2008. Trail would reach Canada's largest astronomical observatory on the summit of Mont Megantic.
 

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