Trails Used

Centennial Trail, Mahoosuc Trail, Peabody Brook Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

This was a big loop up Centennial Trail, north on Mahoosuc Trail, and down Peabody Brook Trail. In addition to offering views from various ledges, this hike passes two beautiful mountain ponds: Page Pond and Dream Lake. Although none of the summits are over 3000 feet, this hike has lots of ups and downs. I measured 3700 feet of total elevation gain. Centennial Trail and Mahoosuc Trail both coincide with the AT. There were lots of thru- and section-hikers on this stretch of the AT today.

Parking

Parked at the intersection of North Rd and Hogan Rd.

Water Crossings

All crossings were low.

Wildlife

Almost none.

Trails Used

Centennial Trail, Mahoosuc Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Met 4 Other hikers at the parking area on Hogan Road. Great views of the Moriah's, Carter's, Wildcats and the presidentials from the SW ledges above Gorham. It's was cool to see a good view of Pine Mountain. The conditions of the trail were very good, some wet spots on some steep ledgy areas, but good enough footing to get through them.

Parking

No issues with parking. Hogan road is a little bumpy.

Water Crossings

No Issues with water crossings.

Wildlife

Lots of black flies and some mosquitos. The wind made them bearable.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

North Road, Gates Brook Trail, Austin Brook Trail, Mahoosuc Trail, Centennial Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

I looped it Hogan Road -> Gates Brook Trail -> Austin Brook Trail -> Gentian Pond Tentsite -> Mahoosuc Trail to Mt. Success -> back to Gentian Pond -> Mahoosuc Trail to Mt. Hayes -> Centennial Trail back to the trailhead. All told it's around 22 miles/6,500' elevation gain. Gentian Pond tentsite is a gem--lovely pond, nice shelter, tree-covered tent platforms, bear box, and not a long walk to the water. Oh, and not crowded ;) Gates Brook Trail, Austin Brook Trail: significant areas of logging are visible. The trail has been re-routed around the worst of it, so it's not too bad. Footing on these two trails is generally very good as most of the trails are on old logging roads Mahoosuc Trail from Gentian Pond tentsite to Success: quite wet. Almost all of the slabby rock on the steeper portions was wet. Mud was minor and avoidable. Mahoosuc Trail from Gentian Pond tentsite to Hayes: more sigificant mud, particularly east of Wocket Ledge. After Wocket Ledge heading west/south, not only does the trail become generally less rough, but it's also generally drier and less muddy. Water is not at all an issue right now. There are frequent creeks/brooks flowing past the trails. The summer dryness on the Mahoosuc Range is definitely not in place right now. I've never hiked in the Mahoosuc Range, and it was really nice. 10/10, way less crowded than the 4,000 footers but just as scenic (and rough).

Parking

No issues. I parked at the trailhead at the junction of North Road and Hogan Road, but there were numerous cars at the Centennial Trailhead 0.2 miles up Hogan Road when I came out today.

Water Crossings

All are easily rock hoppable

Wildlife

They are out. Not insane for May but definitely no longer in Hell

Trails Used

Centennial and Mahoosuc Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Trail is in good condition other than blowdowns. A little mud here and there but easily avoided. No snow and ice except 2 tiny patches just off the trail that has probably melted by now. Trail is mostly dry and I wore non waterproof trail runners. There's a few small sections of dry slippery leaves but really not an issue other than slowing down a little on the descent. Lovely views on the ledges about a half mile down from the summit heading down the Mahoosuc Trail towards Gorham.

Parking

Access road is open but a little rough if your car doesn't have much ground clearance but slow going will work for most vehicles. No cars at 8 am and 1 other car later in the day.

Water Crossings

A few water drainages easily stepped over.

Wildlife

A few scouts out and about.

Trails Used

Centennial Trail, Mahoosic Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Barebooted the first two miles, but then hit the side hill climb just before the subpeak of Hayes. It’s north facing and still very icy-spikes will be needed for a while on that section. We put spikes on here and left them on until we got past this section on the way back down. The big drop before the viewpoint was icy and steep; we skirted around this to the left/west. We had about 4-5 inches of Tuesday’s snow in the shady parts of Mahoosic Trail, but it was melting and slushy by the afternoon. Ledges at the viewpoint past the summit were mostly bare, but we discovered some hidden slush puddles up there (thankfully our gaiters kept our feet mostly dry). Epic views of the Carters, Wildcats and Presis today.

Parking

Small parking lot on Hogan Road accessible if your car doesn’t mind a bit of a bumpy ride from North Road.

Water Crossings

A couple small hoppable stream crossings. More annoying were the couple of slushy pools just under thin patches of ice on Mahoosic Trail between summit and ledges

Wildlife

Not yet

Trails Used

Centennial trail, Mahoosuc Trail, bushwhack, Hogan rd

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

I barebooted with almost no snow until about two miles in, when the patches of shallow snow and ice start to be more consistent. For the last half mile before the summit the trail has several steep sections completely covered in ice and that's where I had no choice but to swap to spikes. Once at the summit and along the ridge I took my spikes off since it's almost all bare rock but put them on for a brief part of the descent below the ledges down the Mahoosuc trail. After the lead mine I followed what might've been old mining roads for a ways before meeting back with Hogan Rd and road walking back to the start. It's spring conditions out there, but overall pretty pleasant as long as you expect your feet to get a bit wet.

Parking

Hogan Rd is passable to the parking lot with decent clearance, but I parked at the end of the road.

Water Crossings

Small crossings all easily rock hoppable

Wildlife

A few mosquitos...