Trails Used

Austin Brook Trail, Mahoosuc Trail, Dryad Falls Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

My route was up Austin Brook Trail to Gentian Pond and east on Mahoosuc Trail to Mt. Success; then west on Mahoosuc Trail to Dream Lake and down Dryad Falls Trail. Obviously, this is not the quickest way to Mt. Success, but the route passes upland ponds and waterfalls and coincides with the AT for a 5 mile stretch. Great views from Mt. Success and the ponds. Dryad Falls was almost dry, but still impressive. I met only 6 to 8 northbound thru- or section-hikers. So it's definitely the trailing end of the 2026 AT bubble.

Parking

Parked at the end of Millbrook Rd, where Austin Brook Trail and Gates Brook Trail meet. This unofficial parking area is on private land, but the landowner seems to allow short term parking (at least there are no signs against). Alternative parking is available on North Rd. The Millbrook Rd option eliminates over 2 miles of walking (round trip), but you don't want to attempt it if your car has low clearance.

Water Crossings

No difficult crossings on this route. Boggy areas are relatively dry.

Trails Used

Success Trail, The Outlook Loop, Mahoosuc Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Another visit to Success and the glorious views from The Outlook. Trails were a mix of dry and wet with some very muddy areas in places, especially in the bog bridge section. Unless I am really blind, because I looked carefully in both directions, the collection of old logging artifacts along Success Trail is gone. Hope someone didn't steal them. For a Monday, this was a busy hike! I expected to see no one but several other people were out, including a small group continuing on to the plane crash site (which I did not visit on this day).

Parking

Roadside at the trailhead on Success Pond Rd. The ride in from Berlin is bumpy but fine. Just take it slow.

Water Crossings

No issues.

Wildlife

All of them.

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