Mahoosuc Range NH AT

[Tramper Al]

June 23-25th, my Dad and I completed our section hike of the AT in New Hampshire, with a trip through the Mahoosuc Range in New Hampshire.

We spotted a car at the Carlo Col trailhead on the Success Pond Road, then started hiking at Route 2 in Shelburne. We stayed at Trident Col and at Gentian Lake. This range is certainly a relatively less used section of trail, and we had a great time discovering it.

Wildlife encountered include moose cow and yearling, doe, family of ruffed grouse (hen doing broken wing act), pigmy shrew, and many others.

We met several other hikers along the way. Each and every one seemed to be on a mission more ambitious than ours. For my Dad, finishing the NH AT at age 72, there was the 80 y.o. lady who would be finishing the entire AT by section that very day! For me, it was the 20-something SOBOs and NOBOs asking when am I going to hike the trail down south?

I did a little sidetrip on the middle day, a bushwhack to Bald Cap (3065), which was fairly challenging. My Dad enjoyed hanging out at Wocket Ledge, chatting with folks as they passed, while I scratched myself up in the spruce.

For the AT in New England, that's another state walked for me. Only another 170 or so miles in Maine (north of Flagstaff Lake) remain.

Another great few days on the trail!

 

[SherpaKroto]

Tramper,
So great that you could do this with your dad! I know my info was likely of little use, but I hope it at least eliminated one possible option. I love that section of the trail, particularly Trident Col! I remember when I was growing up how far Dream Lake sounded from Berlin. I need to get back up there, soon.

 

[Tramper Al]

Trident

Hey SK,

Your info was helpful, and yes it did eliminate that option.
I think I worked out where the Trident shelter was, but the old path to Berlin is well hidden to my eyes.

My Dad fully expected the AT to go up and over all three points of the Trident! It took a little time, but we hiked every section from Norwich VT to the shoulder of Mt. Carlo ME, together.

Dream Lake was where we saw our mooses. Nice place, those NH Mahoosucs.

 

[weatherman]

Congratulations!

Hey Al- congratulations! For a fast hiker you probably see (or report seeing, anyway) the most wildlife per mile. Can't wait to join you on future trips when life events allow. I'm about ready to trade a house for a tent right now.

Was that last bit down into Carlo Col as interesting as remembered from our other Mahoosucs hike?
Chris

 

[Tramper Al]

Re: Congratulations!

Hey Al- congratulations!

Thanks, we earned it all right.

For a fast hiker you probably see (or report seeing, anyway) the most wildlife per mile.

Dude, do you question my veracity? The doe stayed nearby after I spooked her, so I have since wondered if I missed out on finding a fawn down in that hollow.

Was that last bit down into Carlo Col as interesting as remembered from our other Mahoosucs hike?
Chris

Oh, yeah, it was quite a scramble down. There's actually another little bouldering adventure just a few tenths south into NH, a Mahoosuc Notch preview, if you will.

 

[SherpaKroto]

Tramper,
I forgot to add Congratulations to you and your Dad! Mea Culpa!

Arm: and then there was one! The Goose is one sweet peak! Just looked at the pics, I really need to get back up there!!!

 

[weatherman]

I'm just jealous about the wildlife thing. I'm always looking down trying to figure out where to put my feet when the critters appear, then when I look up they're gone.