Cohos trail 2004?

[jrichard]

I've got two weeks to spend on a thru hike this summer and I'm trying to decide between a 20 mi/day deathmarch through the Long Trail and a more relaxed tour of the Cohos Trail. This would be my first thru hike although I've got 20+ years of peakbagging/long weekend trips.

I have ordered the Cohos Trail guide book, but I'm having trouble finding up to date information about the trail itself. The website has info pointing out that various campsites and leantos might be opening in 2004. Are these open now? And have there been any trail changes for 2004?

I'd also be interested in hearing reports about those who have hiked the Cohos Trail. I understand there are some road walks. I'm hoping they don't continue for days at a time.

What do the locals think of the trail? Do they run for the shotgun at the first sign of a hiker?

I'd do this southbound. Is there a bus route to the top?

Are some caches better than others?

Are the campground bears habituated to humans? I'm trying to decide if I should hang food, take a bear cannister, etc...

 

[poison ivy]

Don't have any info myself but there is a journal on trailjournals from Chef. He's planning to hike the Cohos trail this summer, beginning in June I think. It may help you make a decision.

His journal is here (That's actually his Long Trail Journal, but there is a link that says 2004 CT on the left that is for the Cohos journal.

There may be others too, but his is the one I have bookmarked.

-- Ivy

 

[bobmak]

Check this thread for more info

 

[jrichard]

I think I'll email Kim... I'll update here with whatever the changes are (or ideally he'll update the website).

It's got to be tough work - not just cutting the trail, but dealing with the local and state goverment, and keeping up public relations.

 

[jrichard]

Kim replied to me. Paraphrasing:

Three leantos will be opened this year (I didn't ask it that meant now): Percy Loop leanto+latrine, Baldhead leanto, Panorama leanto+privy.

Black bears aren't really a problem, but hang food anyway.

There are still two road walks (these are also in the 2004 guidebook). 10 mi and 1.5 mi.

They are rebuilding the trail around the dam at Clarksville Bog. The dam is in bad shape and it 's being rebuilt.

I still don't quite know what the approximate costs are for caches, campgrounds, etc... something like the old AT Philosopher's Guide.

 

[Tramper Al]

Sounds good

In my opinion, for a trail that is so young, and runs this long through so much private land, 2 road walks of 10 and 1.5 is not bad at all. Are there any real 'gaps' left - sections that simply cannot be walked, by road or otherwise?

 

[jrichard]

I agree. I've just about settled on doing the CT instead of the Long Trail. It's definately going to be a different experience.

AFAIK there are no gaps, or better said that all trail gaps are bridged by road walks. However, some of the "trails" are really snowmobile trails or old jeep roads. I'm not against that.

Kim says that the trail is pretty easily followed using the guidebook/maps.

 

[jrichard]

Well, I did hike the Cohos Trail, finished it in about 12 days. It definately had it's ups and downs, but overall the trip was fantastic. The road walks weren't too bad, as one is pretty much down "Moose Alley" where the moose are so thick you need to beat them off with a stick. The trails are rough (new) in places compared to the Whites. This is especially true in the far north, the "lakes" region, where snowmobile trails are used extensively. Even in areas where ATVs aren't allowed, these trails become bogs in the rain. And did it ever rain while we were on the snowmobile trails! We just plowed on with wet feet and sun-dried when the sun finally came out. Regardless of the type of footware, except posssibly hip waders, there's no way you could get though trails in that region dry during a tropical depression. The snowmobile trails were also rather overgrown by August which gave them a rather wild feel.

The CT trails are good and well signed, expecially considering that they are new. The two leantos (Baldhead and Panorama) were very nice. Better (IMHO) than any of the USFS leantos I've stayed in. Of course, they are brand new.

The area above the Whites has a VERY "wild" feel. Moose, deer, and bear prints and scat are everywhere. I'd say moose use the trails more than hikers for now.

We also saw absolutely no one hiking the CT, although there may have been two other hikers heading north (we were southbound). Before hitting the Whites, we encountered only 3 day hikers on the trails. The Whites (especially the Presidentials) seemed like Grand Central Station in comparison.

I'd definately do it again.

I'm still wondering where to post a more detailed description of the trip.

 

[Michelle]

Post it in Trip Reports, I for one would love to read about your trip (in more detail). I've had my eye on the Cohos, but it just isn't going to happen this year and YIKES no, not during hunting season! I'm lucky I still have a job with all the time off I get!! Do Post about it, sounds like a fun time!

www.whiteblaze.net is another website with folks that would be interested in hearing about your trip!