East Inlet Rd. Closed Indefinitely. No access East Inlet Flowage, Scott Bog Pond, Boundary Pond, Etc.

New Hampshire Fish & Game Press Release.

Due to a prolonged mud season and deterioration of at least one bridge, East Inlet Rd. is closed indefinitely. This means that access to areas east of Rt. 3 north of Second Connecticut Lake is closed, including access from the United Sates to NH200 peaks Salmon, Kent, Snag Pond, and D'Urban. That is unless you can access the eastern part of East Inlet Rd. via Smith Brook Rd., which I think is unlikely.
Rump Mtn. Trail and Beaman Hill Trail are currently closed, too.

Great North Woods gate status, as of 5/24/24. I expect/hope that many of these will be open later in June.

My guess is with the battle over logging versus carbon sequestration over the headwaters tract, road work is going to be limited as part of the original grand deal was the state took over the road network and maintained it while anyone logging in the areas paid a fee for using them. Less logging less fees, less maintenance ?

OTOH, isn't tourism the primary other source for the local economy? Passable roads are needed to sustain tourism, no? East Inlet Flowage and Boundary Pond are two of Pittsburg's more accessible gems.

Oh, so glad we made it from there to Twin Peaks last summer for #451.

Sherby said:

Oh, so glad we made it from there to Twin Peaks last summer for #451.

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I was thinking that you would be. I'm certainly glad to have done the peaks listed above, even if most are accessible from Quebec. But I've also done some paddling up there and I'd hoped to bring my family paddling up there later this summer.

Updated gate status as of 6/11/24 for the Ct. Lakes Headwaters Working Forest.

Washout off of Scott Brook Rd. is 0.1 mile from the Scott Bog dam and put-in. East Inlet Rd. from the West is closed 0.2 mile from East Inlet Flowage. NHF&G is working with timberland owner to get a temporary bridge in place on East Inlet Rd. Until then, those driving East Inlet Rd. from the East should be aware that with lower use, blowdowns across East Inlet Rd. or Boundary Pond Rd. may not be cleared out as quickly.

TEO said:

Updated gate status as of 6/11/24 for the Ct. Lakes Headwaters Working Forest.

Washout off of Scott Brook Rd. is 0.1 mile from the Scott Bog dam and put-in. East Inlet Rd. from the West is closed 0.2 mile from East Inlet Flowage. NHF&G is working with timberland owner to get a temporary bridge in place on East Inlet Rd. Until then, those driving East Inlet Rd. from the East should be aware that with lower use, blowdowns across East Inlet Rd. or Boundary Pond Rd. may not be cleared out as quickly.

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So bring saw…

NHClimber said:

So bring saw…

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When I checked out Perry Pond coming from Perry Stream Rd. early in one season, I did exactly that (chainsaw) for the first time. My concern was treefall AFTER I had gotten in. As it turned out there was a blowdown across the road on the way in I was able to readily get it out of the way.

If in doubt bring Unimog

NHClimber said:

So bring saw…

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Salty said:

When I checked out Perry Pond coming from Perry Stream Rd. early in one season, I did exactly that (chainsaw) for the first time. My concern was treefall AFTER I had gotten in. As it turned out there was a blowdown across the road on the way in I was able to readily get it out of the way.

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Right! I also carry a tire puncture repair kit, an compressor/inflator, and when I'm on solo trips, I usually bring a mountain bike.

On Saturday, heading on Beaudry Rd. back to Route 27 from Kibby Mountain, I punctured my front left tire and used the repair kit for the first time. It saved the remainder of the weekend, allowing me to get to Saddleback (Big Shanty), and home.

Post-Beryl Flooding Update:

Perry Stream Rd. and Indian Stream Rd. are both currently closed due to washouts.

The detour via Rump Mtn Trail & Beaman Hill Trail around the East Inlet bridge closure is currently not passable.

East Inlet Rd. remains open to within 0.2 miles of East Inlet Flowage. Scott Bog Rd. remains open at least to intersection with spur to Scott Bog outlet/boat ramp. That spur is closed at the outlet's culvert, about 200-300 yards from the boat ramp. IOW, it's an easy carry for canoes/kayaks from closure to the boat ramp. Note: there are minor washouts of the top layer of road on Scott Bog Rd. and the spur to the boat ramp, but they are easily passable by ANY car.

Sophie's Lane, the road along the west bank of the Connecticut River from Rt. 3 just south of Deer Mountain Campground is rough, but passable to the turn-off to the Deer Mountain Trail. Sophie's Lane is severly washed out and impassable just past the Deer Mtn Trail turn-off. The spur to the Deer Mountain Trailhead looked rough and washed out, but still passable by most cars, HOWEVER, I did not drive up it.

Big Brook Rd. had been open, but was washed out and being worked on. It was gated as of 7/14.

Tower Rd. for Magalloway Mtn. has also been washed out 2.4 mi. from the trailhead:

https://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=72901

Also, from the NH State Parks site:

Due to recent storm damage, these roads are currently closed to vehicles until repairs can be made: Big Brook, Indian Stream, Hall Stream, West Side Indian Stream Road, Coon Brook, Sophies Lane, and Trussell Brook that goes to Beaman Hill.
Persons traveling on the headwaters road network should take care and travel slowly due to washouts. Never drive through flooded areas. Please check back for updates. Thank you for your patience.

(Source.)

I believe that "Trussell Brook" should be "Trestle Brook."

Well, if Tower Rd is still washed out in 3 weeks, I guess Magalloway will not be on my itinerary this year. It was just one of many possibilities so it can wait. I still have more than a dozen 52wav peaks to go so I have no shortage of new peaks to climb and a narrowing window in which to climb them. It is perhaps the illusion of immortality that spurs such plans, but if you still have one more mountain to climb and the belief that you will wake up tomorrow and climb it, then you can close your eyes, sleep peacefully, and dream of unseen vistas.