peakbagger
In Rembrance , July 2024
I did a quick dayhike yesterday up Mt Hayes via the Mahoosuc trail in Gorham that used to start at the trestle. I had posted some temporary info last year
regarding the relocation.
"The Mahoosuc trail from the Gorham Trestle (Rt 16 to the other side of the Androscoggin River has not yet been relocated due to the closing of the dam crossing and may be difficult to follow unless the hiker has a good map. There is temporary signage in place that directs hikers to a crossing up river across a former railroad bridge. The signage on the east side of the river is also temporary and requires a long road walk to hook up with the former trail on the opposite side of the dam. Note; if you look carefully there are some very small blue signs at key points along the road walk. The overall detour is probably 1.1 miles.
The other option is to drive up the dirt Hogan road from Shelburne to the trail crossing just past the dam and start the hike there (note: you will need to park back near the dam as there is no reasonable parking at the trail crossing)."
Unfortunately it appears to have turned into an abandonment. Posted at the trailhead is an AMC notice that the trail has been abandoned from the Trestle to the Hogan road and is not blazed by the AMC. The small blue signs mentioned appear to still be in place as they dont appear to be AMC's creation. Unfortunately these signs are not a subsitute for blazing and it would be very easy to miss for someone not aware of the area. AMC just auctioned off the sign that was at the trestle so it looks permanent.
For hikers descending from the AT via this trail for the first time, this is potentially a dangerous situation as the current end of the trail stops at a rarely traveled dirt road next to the hydro canal. The logical route would be to walk down to the hydro station and attempt to cross the river across the hydro station. This was the former crossing which is now fairly well fenced off on both sides. There is no other alternative to crossing the river south of the dam for several miles until the Shelburne bridge. The river in this area is fairly fast and deep so fording or swimming is not an option. The route via the rail trail would not be bad if it was marked better.
The correct route is to go north on the dirt road, cross under one set of electric transmission lines, then enter a second large open area with transmission lines. Look carefully and there is an old road/path that drops off the left(west) side of the right of way and very shortly connects up with an old railroad bed. Take a left(SW), cross the hydro canal and follow the railroad bed to the second trestle. Immediately before the trestle take a left down a steep banking and cross the bridge via the wooden plank walkway. If you elect to cross the trestel over Rt 16, the first public access is a couple of miles west along route 2.
I suspect there are good reasons for the abandonment of this section but it does impact a fairly major hiking trail.
I would not recomend attempting to park a vehicle for several days at the Hogan road trailhead as this is a fairly remote location with lots of ATV tafic plus there is no room to park a car.
regarding the relocation.
"The Mahoosuc trail from the Gorham Trestle (Rt 16 to the other side of the Androscoggin River has not yet been relocated due to the closing of the dam crossing and may be difficult to follow unless the hiker has a good map. There is temporary signage in place that directs hikers to a crossing up river across a former railroad bridge. The signage on the east side of the river is also temporary and requires a long road walk to hook up with the former trail on the opposite side of the dam. Note; if you look carefully there are some very small blue signs at key points along the road walk. The overall detour is probably 1.1 miles.
The other option is to drive up the dirt Hogan road from Shelburne to the trail crossing just past the dam and start the hike there (note: you will need to park back near the dam as there is no reasonable parking at the trail crossing)."
Unfortunately it appears to have turned into an abandonment. Posted at the trailhead is an AMC notice that the trail has been abandoned from the Trestle to the Hogan road and is not blazed by the AMC. The small blue signs mentioned appear to still be in place as they dont appear to be AMC's creation. Unfortunately these signs are not a subsitute for blazing and it would be very easy to miss for someone not aware of the area. AMC just auctioned off the sign that was at the trestle so it looks permanent.
For hikers descending from the AT via this trail for the first time, this is potentially a dangerous situation as the current end of the trail stops at a rarely traveled dirt road next to the hydro canal. The logical route would be to walk down to the hydro station and attempt to cross the river across the hydro station. This was the former crossing which is now fairly well fenced off on both sides. There is no other alternative to crossing the river south of the dam for several miles until the Shelburne bridge. The river in this area is fairly fast and deep so fording or swimming is not an option. The route via the rail trail would not be bad if it was marked better.
The correct route is to go north on the dirt road, cross under one set of electric transmission lines, then enter a second large open area with transmission lines. Look carefully and there is an old road/path that drops off the left(west) side of the right of way and very shortly connects up with an old railroad bed. Take a left(SW), cross the hydro canal and follow the railroad bed to the second trestle. Immediately before the trestle take a left down a steep banking and cross the bridge via the wooden plank walkway. If you elect to cross the trestel over Rt 16, the first public access is a couple of miles west along route 2.
I suspect there are good reasons for the abandonment of this section but it does impact a fairly major hiking trail.
I would not recomend attempting to park a vehicle for several days at the Hogan road trailhead as this is a fairly remote location with lots of ATV tafic plus there is no room to park a car.
