Mahoosuc Range Questions....

[Jason Berard]

I'm planning a hike for next week sometime, when I'm on vacation in Maine. I'd like to combine Mt. Success and Goose Eye either as a loop, or with a car spot, and have a some questions.....

• Has anyone ever hiked Mt. Success from Ingalls Valley Rd? I have an 1995 AT map which shows a trail from that road, but no description of it, and it doesn't show up on newer maps.
• What is Success Pond Road like? Do I need a 4WD?

Thanks all in advance!

 

[vegematic]

I'm not familiar with any trail up Mt. Success from the Bethel side of the ridge. There's an old logging road that heads up that way and you might be able to link old roads together to get near the summit but I think it'll be a map-compass adventure.

As for the Success Pond Rd, probably don't need 4WD although I haven't driven on it lately. Watch out for logging trucks. I think they actually do have the right of way on that road but they always take it whether it's theirs or not.

-vegematic

 

[peakbagger]

The Ingalls valley route is non existent. It was originally an access road cut up the side of the mountain to access the crashed DC-3 many years ago. It has not been an active trail for 30 years and there have been a lot of timbering going on in the area which would have obliterated any trace. There is dense fir along the southern side of the AT so it would be a nasty bushwhack.

Success pond road is accessible by a normal passenger car although it can be very washboarded so your speed may be very slow. During the week there may be lots of logging vehicles. The usual challenge is finding the entrance fromt he Berlin end as it does not have a sign. Follow the signs for the AVRRD landfill and go about a 1/2 mile past it, look for the OHRV parking sign.

 

[Jason Berard]

thanks, peakbagger. I kinda figured that might be what that "trail" was for.
Thanks for the beta.

 

[MichaelJ]

Watch closely for pink spray-painted rocks on Success Pond Road. They mark them that way when they protrude up more than a few inches. Make sure to go around them!

This is an awesome loop hike. If you want to make it longer, go up the Mahoosuc Notch Trail instead of directly to Goose Eye. Takes you across an amazing alpine area, and is easily one of the best hikes anywhere in New England.

 

[jniehof]

Back in June the Success Pond Road was very easy to find from Berlin (cross the river from 16, stay on the main drag--it changes names a few times but is obviously the main road--and turn right at the OHRV parking sign.) No problems staying at speed in a Focus all the way to Grafton. Now, the Speck Pond Road was a bit different....

 

[vegematic]

What's the Speck Pond Road?

-vegematic

 

[jniehof]

What's the Speck Pond Road?

The road that leaves Success Pond Road to the east, just north of Sucker Brook. It arcs north, then cuts back south and ends at the brook right where the trail leaves the brook. Saves about a mile each way on-trail, although probably not much time. You can see it on the 27th edition AMC maps (although it, and many other old logging roads, has been removed from the 28th) or the DeLorme NH atlas (which conflates it with another road south of Sucker Brook; obviously part of the same system.) The Success Pond Road end is clearly signed.

There are two washouts with tire-wide paths across. This area is obviously very active logging, so I wouldn't try driving through or leaving your car at the end during a workday...there's a lot of space at the end, but one never knows what would be getting in someone's way.