The Attitash Trail

[J&J]

We decided to hike the Attitash trail (and Moat Mountain trail) as a traverse from Bear Notch Rd over to West Side Rd in Conway. This is the same trail where the newscaster Ted O'Brien got lost a few years back. This trail has been adopted and has seen recent trail maintenance work done on it.

We did not find the trail difficult to follow at all. There is only one section approaching Big Attitash from the west where the trail gets boggy and muddy and could be difficult to get around and get back on the trail. Actually there are many existing, old blazes to help find the way although the foot bed is fairly easy to follow. There are many fresh blowdowns along the way. We cleaned up quite a few but didn't have time for all of them. Some sections of the trail could use some brushing, like many trails in the Whites. Overall, we didn't find this trail any more difficult to follow than any of the other lesser travelled trails in the Whites.

From the summit of Big Attitash down to West Side Rd via the Attitash and Moat Mountain trails, the trails are well blazed with fresh yellow blazes. Near some of the numerous water crossings, one has to pay attention to the blazes or be sure to pick out the trail on the other side of the river as the woods can be wide open and it could be easy to leave the trail if not paying attention.

Some pictures.

Red Spruce cones.

Balsam Fir cones.

Evidence of the fire on Table Mountain a number of years ago with lichens growing on the charred bark.

A section of the Attitash trail descending from Table Mountain. An old blue blaze covered with a now old yellow blaze. This was the most noted color scheme.

One of several small water crossings on the Attitash trail. There are numerous bigger crossings (we got wet feet) once off the Attitash trail and on the Moat Mountain trail.

One section of blowdowns.

A steep uphill section with a yellow blaze.

We cleaned up quite a few blowdowns and dragged a lot of stuff off the trail.

The toughest section of the day approaching Big Attitash from the west. Pay attention here to be sure the trail is found. It could be very difficult to stay on trail here.

Cannoli's (from the Mountain Bean in Twin Mountain) on the summit of Big Attitash. Delicious!

 

[Jimmy Legs and Little D]

Table Mountain

Donna and I hiked the trail up to Table Mountain from Bear Notch Road a couple of years ago. This is a nice section of the White Mountains in that you feel like your in the wilderness yet so close to civilization. We noticed the burned section and that the trail just past the summit had recently be maintained.

Nice cone pictures.

Do you think bog bridges will eventually be built through those we sections.

Mike

 

[cooperhill]

Great report. I love seeing your reports from less traveled places.

 

[kltilton]

Thanks for the help with the blowdowns! It's still a work in progress, but in much better shape than a few years ago.

 

[Becca M]

nice report and pictures!!!! Excellent food selection!!!

 

[Michelle]

Looks like fun guys! We love the challenge of following a trail less traveled, but this one kicked our butts a few yrs back and resorted us to bushwacking, which was also fun, just wasn't the plan for the day!! (that was 10/2007) So, kltilton ....Nice job!!! And I think I'm going to have to visit the Mountain Bean for more than just a morning bagel!!!

 

[bigmoose]

Hmmmmm.... Finished the grid, got the red marker out, gonna do ALL the WMNF trails now perchance?

 

[J&J]

Hmmmmm.... Finished the grid, got the red marker out, gonna do ALL the WMNF trails now perchance?

Perchance, perchance.

 

[J&J]

Thanks for the help with the blowdowns! It's still a work in progress, but in much better shape than a few years ago.

It was our pleasure Kevin. Every little bit helps to keep the trail open and easy to follow. I would say the trail is in excellent shape considering the condition it was said to be in not that long ago. Not that long ago only dates back to 10/2007 as Michelle's experience tells us.

 

[Amicus]

Belated discovery

Dugan, rocksnrolls, Poison Ivy and I did this same hike yesterday, before I found this TR, and J&J's account could pass nearly verbatim for ours, except that, instead of cannolis, we feasted on Dugan's homemade almond-crusted coconut cream pie with chocolate ganache. Also, we didn't do anything with those blowdowns, most of which would require a chainsaw. J&J's "toughest section" looked the same yesterday, could still use a bog-bridge and was the only spot where we had to spend more than 30 seconds or so to determine where the trail went, but even then it took only about a minute to see that it continued to the left (as you head east to Big Attitash).

Peak-bagging was not on our agenda, so we were pleasantly surprised to discover that Big Attitash is one of the NH200H.

Great views from the Table Mtn. ledges, as I knew from a previous hike, but our views discovery of the day was a big ledge just to the right of and above the Trail, a few hundred yards NE of the Table Mtn. summit. It gave us clear views to the east and north not otherwise to be found, although there are many nice views of the Pemi through trees on the long ridge traverse to Big Attitash.

 

[MichaelJ]

We did this hike as well, except instead of ending at West Side Road we turned at the junction and went up over all the Moats. LONG day! But gosh, I agree that the trail over Table and Big Attitash was really nice, with a wonderful remote feeling.

 

[cooperhill]

Also, we didn't do anything with those blowdowns, most of which would require a chainsaw.

Chainsaws are overrated.