cohos/northern nh trail maps?

[natron]

any suggestions on the most detailed/current topo trail maps for this region? the only thing I've found is the 2 guide books on the cohos trail website.. thanx, for any advice about maps and any other .02 anyone wants to offer for short backpacking trips, prefer loops or lollipops if avail.. never hiked in this region, really looking forward to it!

 

[peakbagger]

As far as I know the CT maps are the only wide area maps with the exception of specific area maps (like the free one that was available at the Balsams). Many of the USGS maps were updated in the area in the late 1980's so they arent that far out of date as few new main haul roads have been built for years. The Delorme road atlas is very handy as it shows most of the routes to the summits of interest (although the logging roads are occasionally dated). Do note that many areas in northern NH do not allow camping unless at designated campgrounds. This applies to Nash Stream area and all of Pittsburg. With the exception of a few CT shelters, all the designated campgrounds are either state run (for a fee) or a private entity (for a fee). Dartmouth Outing Club may have a map of Dartmouth College Grant but unless you are an alumni or guest, no overnight camping. The other issue with the area is that many of the private roads are gated.

The camping restriction is definitely a subject for a rant as much of the area in question (with the exception of Dartmouth College Grant) is owned by the state or the development rights were purchased by the public. Ostensibly the rational is the lack of firefighting resources but the reality is that there are several businesses that dont particulary want the competition.

Dont let this discourage you but unless you are doing the CT, plan on dayhiking. A great mountain to get your bearings just across the river from Colebrook. It has a great fire tower. Andy B from this site may be able to help with booking the firetower cabin on Magalloway. I have several summits I want to visit one of these days up there but realize few have views unless there is a tower. Azicohos (over in Maine near the border) gives a nice view from the west with open ledges. The campground in wilson mills is a good easterly base of operations. Most of the hikes require more driving hours than hiking hours. To the south of the region is Milan Hill State park campground. Its not heavily used and is farly close (by north country standards) to Nash Stream and Phillips Brook. I dont have any recomendations for camping in the Pittsburg NH region

 

[roadtripper]

A brand new book will be hitting stores soon that will definitely help:

http://www.amazon.com/Explorers-Gui...sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333977465&sr=8-1-spell

 

[Guthook]

A brand new book will be hitting stores soon that will definitely help:

http://www.amazon.com/Explorers-Gui...sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333977465&sr=8-1-spell

That's pretty exciting news. Kim is a heck of a writer, and I can only imagine the fifty hikes in that book will be mind-blowing.

Natron, if you don't mind a point-to-point backpacking trip, you can get shuttles from Cohos Trail Association folks (try the Stark Village Inn for a ride), but go backpacking from Route 110 near Stark to Sugarloaf Mountain in the Nash Stream Forest. Great views from Sugarloaf, Percy Peaks, and Victor Head. Or do Sugarloaf and Percy Peaks as day hikes. Well worth the trip up north.

 

[natron]

thanx!

great info.! looking forward to the new guide book! I'll hold off, from making any plans until I get the guide book, was thinking late summer anyways.. percys and sugarloaf will be on the menu!

 

[peakbagger]

No need for much of a guide for those three. Stay at Milan Hill state park campground, drive to Nash Stream road, drive up road to the marked trail heads, hike up via the out and back trails and then back down. Some folks do both in a day, but that is rushing it. North Percy has the abandoned Underhill trail in addition to the current trail. If you really like steep slabs its a fun hike on a dry day if not stick to the official trail. South Percy has a herd path from the col. Note the black flies can be brutal early season and the bluberries are great on Percy so wait until blueberry season.

The trail for Sugarloaf goes directly up the driveway to a camp and right past the camp, after that is easy to follow.

 

[tomcat32]

I thru hiked the Cohos in 2009. North of Stark (nash Forest to Canada) the Cohos follows a lot of snowmobile and logging roads. Even when dry everywhere else, they tend to be wet. The maps with the guide were out of date because of constant relocations to improve trail right of way. The Cohos Trail Assoc. website has a special page of updates to the guide that are pretty easy to follow and are promtly updated. The website has a forum that is usually answered promptly by the trail caretakers, the Castines (secretary and president I believe of TCTA) and Kim Nielsen himself. Not too many options for loops or lollipops in the northern part of the trail. Because of lack of camping sites and abundant private lands, I was told to camp where I want as long as its quiet and out of site and left absolutely no trace.(you didn't hear that from me) The northern CT is wonderful place for solitude and wildlife and there are moose a plenty.