Where would you build a trail in WMNF?

[Waumbek]

The "enhancing the view" thread has set me to thinking about trail construction and the development of the trail system in the Whites. If you could--and wanted to--where would you build a trail in the Whites? Or which abandoned trail would you restore? Why? This isn't about reality--wilderness regs, the ethics of yet more trails, the cost of constructing and maintaining them, and so forth--just a wish list. I'm curious how hikers view the function(s) of a trail.

 

[Hillwalker]

Bemis Nancy Loop

Resurrect the old Firewardens' trail from the stream crossing on Nancy Pond trail to the summit of Bemis, then cut a new trail from Bemis's Summit down through the col and then up to Nancy's Summit. From Nancy's Summit cut a proper trail down to Norcross Pond. Much of the herd path up Nancy could be utilized except where it goes straight up for erosion reasons.

This would create a very nice loop through that could even pass by the seldom seen tiny pond in the col between Bemis and Nancy.

When we bushwhacked this loop a few springs ago we crossed at least one old logging road that might be possibly included.

 

[NewHampshire]

Whenever I am at the Greeley Ponds I look at that big ole ledge on Mt. Kancamagus and think it would be a hoot to visit. I talke to Steve Smith about it one day and apparently the Watervillians way back had built a trail to it, and a second smaller ledge to the south (called K1 and K2 ironically) that were abandoned at some point long ago. I think it would be cool to see a trail up there.

Brian

 

[Paradox]

Owl's Head is a heavily traveled (trampled ) route. I believe either 1.) the slide should be marked/maintained. or 2.) A heavily traveled bushwhack such as the "Brutus Bushwhack", that crosses the top of the slide for some views should be established.

IMHO lots of people are going to continue to go up that side of Owl's Head. I believe it is better to cut a narrow trail now, rather than have lots of people "crap up" the whole side of the mountain in separate pilgrimages to the top.

 

[kltilton]

Oh where to start. I'd love to see a trail from the Kancamagus Pass to the summit of Carrigain to start.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

I'd like to see it not end up like Sunday River, with trails cut across 8 (now) interconnected mountains.

Tim

p.s. I'd also like to see the Wilderness Trail shortened by 75%

 

[Barbarossa]

Vose Spur

There is obvious wear heading up the slope. A designated trail laid out to minimize erosion would probably enhance the area.

 

[Paradox]

p.s. I'd also like to see the Wilderness Trail shortened by 75%

I understand that you meant this sarcastically, but I must add that I consider this to be the real charm of this stretch. A relatively quick and easy walk puts one 3-4 miles into the middle of nowhere. The river is beautiful with changing aspects of views to the Bonds. Several choices of direction along the way allow access to the Franconia Ridge, Black Pond, falls, the Bonds, Carrigan and the Willey Range. Perhaps it is so short, that the hoi polloi make it a popular route.

 

[Snowflea]

While sitting atop Mt. Adams with Guy & Laura Waterman in Feb. 1994, I casually stated "Wouldn't it be cool to have a trail in Jefferson Ravine?" -- i.e. between the Six Husbands and Buttress Trails. Avid bushwhacker and lover-of-the-mountains Guy was aghast and quickly brought me to my senses.

That said, I DO think it would be cool if the old Passaconaway Slide/Downes Brook Slide Trail was made "official" again since it's my favorite route on the mtn...

Let's see, what else?...

A real trail between the Hancocks and Carrigain would make life easier for us speed peakbaggers, but I wouldn't really want it to happen. Same for a trail between the bottom of Lincoln Slide and the Lincoln Brook Trail.

I'm still lamenting never doing the winter bushwhack off Bond to the Thoreau Falls Trail before moving West but, again, wouldn't really want there to be a trail there...

 

[giggy]

I like the jeff ravine idea stinky - or at least get the adams slide back -

awesome views from that "trail" into the gulf and jeff ravine -

then again - maybe its good as is.

 

[dug]

From the Hancocks to Carrigain Notch.

Or, from the end of Heath's Gate to Mt. Cabot.

 

[DougPaul]

p.s. I'd also like to see the Wilderness Trail shortened by 75%

I understand that you meant this sarcastically, but I must add that I consider this to be the real charm of this stretch.

It also makes a nice XC ski route.

Doug

 

[Raymond]

Loon to Osceola, along Scar Ridge.

 

[MichaelJ]

The Dartmouth Range.

 

[MadRiver]

"Wouldn't it be cool to have a trail in Jefferson Ravine?" -- i.e. between the Six Husbands and Buttress Trails.
...

I was chased off the ridge one snowy Oct day and as I passed the slide on Edmands Col Cutoff while heading to Six Husbands, I had the exact same thought; why don’t I just go down the slide. I eventually descended Six Husbands, yet I still believe going down the slide would have been easier.

 

[sapblatt]

Adams Slide Trail (how bad could it be? )
I would like a route up to Franconia Ridge from the Lincoln Brook Side - I am kind of sick of all of the normal routes.

 

[carole]

How about a few more trails out of Appalachia

But if I ‘could and would’ it would be connecting some trails to make loops for example:

connect Mt. Davis back to the junction with Isolation Trail / Rocky Branch Trail
connect Imp Trail back to 19 Mile Brook (I’ve done the bushwhack and came out at the parking lot – better than walking the highway)
connect Carter-Moriah Trail back to Stony Brook Trail

 

[wardsgirl]

Southwest Twin from the Twinway... then continue it off the ridge to Franconia Brook.

 

[rocket21]

I wouldn't mind seeing the ancient trail off North Twin back down to the Gale River Trail restored - that'd make a great loop, rather than doing an out and back or a car spot.

 

[1HappyHiker]

Improvements to Existing Trails

I wouldn't mind seeing the ancient trail off North Twin back down to the Gale River Trail restored - that'd make a great loop, rather than doing an out and back or a car spot.

Hey Rocket 21, you beat me to the punch on that suggestion!

But speaking of trails in the Gale River area, what about improvements to existing trails (perhaps this is a topic for a new thread)?? Like maybe rebuilding the bridge on the Gale River Trail that was washed away in 2005?

1HappyHiker