WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST REGION
In the White Mountain National Forest, the Cohos Trail rides the backs of numerous trails that can be hiked now, of course, and at any time. But these trails are not marked with CT signs. We don't have permission to place signs in the vicinity of the Presidential Range. The trail is essentially a concept here. It is not formal. These trails include:
| The Davis Path (AMC) | OPEN | The Cohos Trails begins at the Davis Path trailhead and moves over or near Mt. Crawford, Mt. Resolution, Stairs Mountain, Mt. Davis and Mt. Isolation. |
| The Isolation Trail (WMNF) | OPEN | Nearly a day's hike into the Davis Path and the Isolation Trail enters from the right. The two trails run together for a mile, and then the Isolation Trail exits left and falls downhill to eventually rendezvous with the Dry River Trail. |
| The Dry River Trail (WMNF) | OPEN | The Isolation Trail intersects with the Dry River Trail bound for Mt. Washington. The CT utilizes the Dry River Trail for a few minutes, then diverts up the Mt. Eisenhower Trail. |
| Mt. Eisenhower Trail (WMNF) | OPEN | The Mt. Eisenhower Trail leaves the Dry River Trail after a Z-turn that takes you over Dry River. Ascend this remote trail to the high elevation ridge that is the backbone of the Southern Presidential Range. Crest Mt. Eisenhower and then fall away to Edmand's Path. |
| Edmand's Path (WMNF) | OPEN | This very old and incredibly well built trail descends from Mt. Eisenhower down to the Mt. Clinton Road trailhead, not too far from the head of Crawford Notch and the AMC Hostel and Crawford Depot. |
| Old Bridle Path & Railbed | OPEN | From the Edmand's Path trailhead it is possible to continue downhill to the vicinity of the Mt. Washington Hotel at Bretton Woods on the old Bridle Path and an old and long abandoned railroad bed. The major feature in here is Upper Falls on the Ammonoosuc River and the famous Mt. Washington Hotel and grounds. The path is reached walking west (right) from the Edmands Path parking lot along the Mt. Clinton Road to a sharp bend in the lane. Look left. There is a big metal caution sign. Pass by this and descend into the valley, tending to stay to the right (west) at indistinct intersections with other paths. Staying right keeps you close to the Ammonoosuc River. |
| Fabyans to Zealand Campground | OPEN | There is an old turnpike/railbed that once ran from Fabyans station next to Route 302 westward to Lower Falls. It follows the Ammonoosuc River around a pronounced bend to a recreational snowmobile staging area and the grounds of Zealand Campground on the south side of 302. Near Faybans it is indistinct and it is best to follow the road, keeping in the grass well to the right as you walk west (left if walking east). Snowmobile route signage begins to show up and marks the way along the old railbed. |
| Black Brook Trail | CLOSED | This old service road and trail up Cherry Mt. is closed for good and has been officially abandoned by the U.S. Forest Service. Take the following alternative route: When you reach the Cherry Mt. Road north of Route 302, turn uphill on the old service lane and walk uphill several miles into a swale between Mt. Deception and Cherry Mountain. Pass a bog with an outstanding view of Mt. Deception. Pass camp sites too. Then walk more steeply up to the height of land on the road. The Cherry Mt. Trail comes in from the left. Take this trail. |
| Col Whipple Trail | OPEN | This old service road makes a fine trail to the summit of the Cherry Mountain massif, which is called Mt. Martha. Now that the Black Brook Trail is off limits, walk the Cherry Mt. Road north to the height of land. At the height of land this trail comes in from the left. Take the Cherry Mountain Trail to Mt. Martha and Martha's Mile on top of Cherry Mt. |
| Martha's Mile | OPEN | This is a delightful and, in one very short spot, steep, link trail between Mt. Martha summit and Owlshead. It is a fine example of trail in a boreal forest. |
| Owls Head Trail (RMC) | OPEN | The Randolph Mountain Club maintains this challenging trail and has recently completed major work on it, relocating some unstable trail to firmer ground. |
| Slide Brook Trail | CLOSED | Hope to create big bog bridge complex in 2007 to bridge beaver flooding. At this time, it appears that this will become a reality. |
| Old B&M Railbed | OPEN | At Jefferson Meadows, the abandoned B&MRR bed runs east/west. By mid-July, 2002, this route will link you to the newly opened Cherry Pond Trail west and north of Cherry Pond. It will complete a through trail out to Turnpike Road. For now, turn right at the old train trestle and walk out to Route 115A. Or turn left and walk out to Cherry Pond for a look. Again, the trail north of Cherry Pond will be open by mid-July. At the shores of beautiful Cherry Pond, a majestic view can be had of the Presidential Range, the Dartmouth Range, and the Pliny and Crescent Ranges too. |
| Cherry Pond Trail | W.I.P. | Opens mid-July, 2002. The abandoned B&MRR bed reaches a rail junction in a mile. Stay with the lake and skirt its shores going west then north along the west shore of the pond near active railroad rails. Cross a minor bridge over the pond's outlet and watch for a trail on your right. It swings along a spit of land and returns to the railroad. Soon, a formal crossing and barrier fence will be in place. Cross the crossing and turn right eight to 10 feet from the tracks. Pass the fabulous view of Cherry Pond and the Presidential Range, and continue north. In 700 feet a Audubon Society trail to Little Cherry Pond leaves left. Here the trail will turn toward Cherry Pond and cross the tracks at a formal crossing and reach a trail that sits atop a geological feature called an ice-push rampart. Follow this until the rampart ends and the trail moves off into the woods. The new trail will eventually across several bog bridges and run out to an old log yard well north of the pond. Then follow a skidway a mile out to the Old Turnpike Road. |
| Route 115A | ROAD | To link the old B&M railbed to the Starr King Trail, one must at this time walk the Jefferson Meadows on Routes115A up to Jefferson village. Eventually, there will be woods trail through the entire valley, but that will take until mid-July 2002 to complete (see Cherry Pond Trail). If the date is past mid-July 2002, the Cherry Pond Trail will reach the Turnpike Road. Turn right (if you are northbound) and walk down to Route 115A. Turn left at 115A and cross the bridge, bound for Jefferson village. |
| Starr King Trail (RMC) | OPEN | This trail from Route 2 just east of Jefferson village to summit of Mt. Starr King and the summit of 4,006-foot Mt. Waumbek is well established and marked with a single small CT sign. It is well maintained by the Randolph Mountain Club. |
| The Kilkenny Ridge Trail (WMNF) | OPEN | This 20-mile trail runs from the summit of Mt. Waumbek over the Pliny and Pilot ranges and out to beautiful South Pond federal recreation area in Stark township. |
Photo Albums and More
This is where you will find our photo albums, trail stories, the Cohos slide show, links and more.