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