grouseking
Well-known member
Talk to me about the Benton Trail. I hope to hike it solo on Sunday. It sounds pretty and not too steep, but I'd like a few first hand thoughts.
grouseking
grouseking
The Benton Trail
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David Metsky
Well-known member
Stream crossing at the begining, view part way up, small spring about half way, pretty isolated and pleasant. Look for Mohamed's trip report from a week ago.
-dave-
-dave-
Quietman
Well-known member
Here is a recent post
Trip report
2 Years ago we did a 3 generation trip up the Moose via the Benton trail. My 72 yr father, myself and my brothers around 40 yrs, and my 13 yr son.
We did an overnight, stopping about half way up, but except for my father, a day trip would have been easy. One small stream crossing at the start, then just a steady climb. There is a nice lookout 1/2 way, just a nice forest walk with minimal rock hopping. Reminded me of the Mt. Kinsman Trail, nice trail, nice view 1/2 way up, good footbed, less traveled.
Highly recommended!
Trip report
2 Years ago we did a 3 generation trip up the Moose via the Benton trail. My 72 yr father, myself and my brothers around 40 yrs, and my 13 yr son.
We did an overnight, stopping about half way up, but except for my father, a day trip would have been easy. One small stream crossing at the start, then just a steady climb. There is a nice lookout 1/2 way, just a nice forest walk with minimal rock hopping. Reminded me of the Mt. Kinsman Trail, nice trail, nice view 1/2 way up, good footbed, less traveled.
Highly recommended!
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vegematic
Active member
I came down the Benton Trail after climbing via the Beaver Brook Trail and quite enjoyed it. As you mentioned, it is not too steep and it made for a comfortable descent. As I recall, there were a couple of nice views across a ravine but it went mostly through the woods.
-vegematic
-vegematic
Waumbek
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It's a very mellow trail compared to the steeper Beaver Brook Trail, and it's on the "quiet" side of the mountain away from Ravine Lodge and the busier Gorge Brook Trail, so it's the one I use on summer and fall weekends most. There's no parking problem at the trailhead either. If there's been a lot of recent rain, the crossing of Tunnel Brook at the beginning of the trail can be a challenge, but Sunday should not present a problem in that respect. In any event, you'll know what you're up against within a few minutes of walking and can always bail and get around to the Beaver Brook trailhead in 15-20 minutes of driving. About halfway up the Benton there will be a couple of nice outlooks north/northeast into the Little Tunnel Brook Ravine and on beyond that to the Kinsman Ridge.
P.S. Tunnel Brook Road has been cleared of the blow-downs from yesterday's t-storm with "damaging winds" that roared through the 116-112 area. Moosilauke trails probably got hit too. As to the next question about logging on the Tunnel Brook, almost all that I can recall has taken place west of the forest road or on the northernmost foothills of Moosilauke. I think the Benton trailhead is fairly obvious but maybe not to all, so if, after you start down Forest Road 7 at the gate (which is missing right now), you cross a bridge a few miles in and reach a dead-end turnaround, turn around and go back about a mile to the parking area on the east side of the FR.
P.S. Tunnel Brook Road has been cleared of the blow-downs from yesterday's t-storm with "damaging winds" that roared through the 116-112 area. Moosilauke trails probably got hit too. As to the next question about logging on the Tunnel Brook, almost all that I can recall has taken place west of the forest road or on the northernmost foothills of Moosilauke. I think the Benton trailhead is fairly obvious but maybe not to all, so if, after you start down Forest Road 7 at the gate (which is missing right now), you cross a bridge a few miles in and reach a dead-end turnaround, turn around and go back about a mile to the parking area on the east side of the FR.
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julianne
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I love the Benton Trail for many reasons, one of which is that I am not responsible for maintaining it.
There are some truly enormous old trees back there - both hard and softwood. I've always been curious if it just didn't get logged for some reason, or if there is a lot more fertility in the soil, or what. Anyone know?
Keep a sharp eye out for the trailhead or you'll pass it. Fortunately the road dead ends not far past it (at the Tunnel Brook trailhead, also a very pretty trail).
There are some truly enormous old trees back there - both hard and softwood. I've always been curious if it just didn't get logged for some reason, or if there is a lot more fertility in the soil, or what. Anyone know?
Keep a sharp eye out for the trailhead or you'll pass it. Fortunately the road dead ends not far past it (at the Tunnel Brook trailhead, also a very pretty trail).
David Metsky
Well-known member
You mean that your crews aren't responsible for maintaining it.julianne said:
The bushwack of Little Tunnel Brook Ravine is a fun one, too. Just watch out for a tall, thin, figure with scraggly white hair coming out from under a knit cap...-dave-
Quietman
Well-known member
I uploaded a few pics of our hike.
Moosilaukee 2004
Moosilaukee 2004
grouseking
Well-known member
Thanks everybody for everything. Looks like I'll be headin up there Sunday. I'm sure I'll be able to duck under and jump over some blowdowns if I have to. If anyone has any other extra "latest" info about trail conditions, let me know.
grouseking
grouseking
bill bowden
New member
Benton is nice but.....
the trailhead is not easy to find; be persistent
the trailhead is not easy to find; be persistent
Periwinkle
Active member
I don't remember any particular difficulty finding the trailhead. I just remember being so excited to be driving uphill for so long (all the less elevation to climb!)
In my trail journal, I referred to the Benton trail as "a relentless slog". It seemed to go on forever on the hot and humid August day we climbed (tommorow's forecast is much nicer, tho!): a quick rock hop across the stream right off, climb forever (the "moderate grade" seems infitinetly moderate), check out the one view into the ravine, then climb forever and forever more. It seemed endless. We had stopped and were planning to turn around when I went ahead of the group and finally saw the Benton trail junction sign -- summit .4 miles ahead. Turning that corner was a turning point for me. Tree line is right there, and an awe inspiring walk in the alpine zone leads easily to the summit. Fantastic.
I'd do it again.
In my trail journal, I referred to the Benton trail as "a relentless slog". It seemed to go on forever on the hot and humid August day we climbed (tommorow's forecast is much nicer, tho!): a quick rock hop across the stream right off, climb forever (the "moderate grade" seems infitinetly moderate), check out the one view into the ravine, then climb forever and forever more. It seemed endless. We had stopped and were planning to turn around when I went ahead of the group and finally saw the Benton trail junction sign -- summit .4 miles ahead. Turning that corner was a turning point for me. Tree line is right there, and an awe inspiring walk in the alpine zone leads easily to the summit. Fantastic.
I'd do it again.
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