The COHOS TRAIL ASSOCIATION

Kelsey Notch Trail
Relatively minor needs now on the mountain but a bypass needed on the old access way on the flats near Kelsey Notch Road.
This trail runs from the lean-to on Baldhead down the mountain into the Phillips Brook Valley, where it turns north on an ancient tote way and reaches Kelsey Notch Rroad.
Most of this trail on the mountain is dry. It runs through blowdown prone country in some areas though, and blowdown removal is a priority on the mountain. There are typical clipping needs on the mountain itself, and there is one small moose clearing where the blazing has to be brightened up to make it obvious which way to go.
There are three places where the trail drops steeply for short pitches. These steep sections are wearing well now, but they should get switchbacks so they do not degrade to the point where they are a problem.
Blazing in here is hyper-critical. Blazing must be maintained regularly so it is easy to see. This is the most remote section of the CT, so we don't want people lost out here.
Near the base of the mountain, there are more clipping needs, more so than above. The way reaches a seep at the base of the mountain, skirts is well to one side and then runs out an old skidway uphill easily. Minor clipping is required from here all the way out to the old tote road in the valley. Touch up blazing in here and clip where necessary.
The trail suddenly hits an old toteway and turns hard left. There is a sign post and sign in the junction. This is the old signpost on the CT. It should be replaced with a bigger and deeper dug post. New signage could be created for it.
Turn north in the grassy way that runs a quarter mile out to Kelsey Notch. Half way along, the trail turns into a mud wallow created by moose and ATV's. We need to clip a bypass to the east a dozen feet into the trees. The bypass would run 100 feet or so, I suspect.
At the junction with the Kelsey Notch Road, there is a rock slab and small growth. All blazing on the slab and all paint in the trees has to to upgraded. The good sign in the tree at the top of the slab needs growth clipped away from it.
The trail ends here. But an adopter should walk downhill into the valley, cross the bridge over a branch of Clear Stream, and walk uphill to the big junction with the trail to Dixville Peak. This junction is critical. There are signs and blazing here. These should be checked and the blazing repainted.