north twin trail

[hikerfast]

how do you get to the start of this trail exactly? directions in book seem confusing.

 

[sp1936]

Heading into Twin Mountain on Rt. 302, make the left onto Rt. 3 at the traffic light. Then make the left onto the dirt road just past the Last Chance Cabins. Take it to the end.

Steve

 

[David Metsky]

The access road is FR 304, known as the Haystack Road. Coming from the south it is approximately 8 miles from I-93 on Rt 3, on your right. If you hit the Last Chance Cabins you've gone too far.

Coming from Twin Mountain, it is the first left after passing the Last Chance Cabins.

The parking area is 2.6 miles in, where the road ends. It's a WMNF Parking fee area.

-dave-

 

[hikerfast]

you would think it would be marked

 

[hikerfast]

in the winter, isnt it a different approach? does anyone know anything about that

 

[MichaelJ]

In the winter, both the Gale River Road and Haystack Road are all closed. Options include skiing all the way up the road, or "bushwhacking" from the Beaver Brook backcountry XC ski area parking lot on Rte 3. Note that you're not supposed to hike on the ski trails.

 

[hikerfast]

anyone want to do north twin tomorrow

 

[RoySwkr]

in the winter, isnt it a different approach? does anyone know anything about that

There's a guy named Bob in Concord NH that I met on the summit one winter who came up that way, you could ask him

The trail once started at the end of Little River Road and can still be followed sort-of to Haystack Road at the bridge near the parking lot. Some winter hikers take the snowmobile bridge and take the snowmobile trail to Haystack Road a little farther over. There is no official parking on Little River Road but Seven Dwarfs Motel will apparently let you park for a fee.

 

[hikerfast]

boy you have a good memory Roy, that is why i am confused I guess. I had thought the trail started at the end of little river road, but i guess no longer, and i couldnt find that haystack road. i remember you stuffing oreos into everyones mouth when we summmited. it was sunday morning in 1987 with Gene Danielle. I felt like i was receiving communion..hee

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

In the winter, make friends with the owners of the Seven Dwarfs Motel near the end of Little River Road; in the past we have given them $3 to leave our car at their place to save us a couple of miles of x-c skiing or hiking. From the end of Little River Road, cross the bridge to the right and follow a decent logging road up to Forestry Road 304, coming out just short of the kiosk at the parking lot (less than a mile total).

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

P.S. DO NOT PARK AT THE TURN-AROUND AREA AT THE END OF LITTLE RIVER ROAD UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!

 

[hikerfast]

i heard the do not park orders were only for snowstorms when plowing was imminent

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

It is private land, posted, and you may get towed, which would be no fun on your return from a winter hike.

 

[Jasonst]

I agree with hikerfast on the confusing nature of finding this road. I looked for it several times on my way to other hikes and never seemed to find it. Thanks for the info

 

[summit1]

There is no sign to indicate the name of this road. True it is fire road 304 and Haystack road, but this info does no good when the road has no indication of these names on it. Also, the topo maps seem to be incorrect with the naming of the road. I have hike this trail 3 time this year (don't ask why, I just did) and each time I passed the road coming from I-93 and turned around once I hit the town center of Twin mountain. Just look for the dirt road with the big gate that can be closed to block traffic. The dirt road with the little pieces of wood and small stone across it is not the correct road-you will see what I mean when you go.

 

[Tramper Al]

Lost Road and the Last Chance

The directions indicating that Haystack Road is RIGHT before the Last Chance Cabins is more than sufficient to find the road. Just go north on Rt. to the cabins, go back less than 100 yards and you are there.