Hike the Mahoosuc Arm and Mahoosuc Notch

The Hike: Up Mahoosuc Arm (3,765') via the Speck Pond Trail, down into Mahoosuc Notch, and out via the Notch Trail. Completely apart from the famed and distinctive features of the Notch itself, the scenery in the Mahoosucs is spectacular.

Difficulty: The hike entails 8.4 miles of distance and 2,400' of vertical gain and 2,500' of vertical loss. Though technically these stats make this hike 'moderate', we are rating it 'moderate to strenuous', first because the descent down the backside of Mahoosuc Arm is steep and potentially slippery; and second, because of the intensity of getting through boulders and caves of Mahoosuc Notch itself. Please note, though, that our pace will be moderate, and we will allow plenty of time to devote due care in navigating these stretches.

Where and When: We will meet at 7:00am at the Notch Trail trailhead off Success Pond Road, roughly 11 miles Northeast of Berlin, NH. We anticipate that the hike will take 8-9 hours to complete.

Directions: GIVE YOURSELF EXTRA TIME TO DRIVE TO THE TRAILHEAD BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY OF NOT ONLY FINDING THE ROAD, BUT DRIVING ON IT TO REACH THE TRAILHEAD.To find the road, leave NH 16 4.5 miles north with US 2 in Gorham (south of the city of Berlin), and follow Unity St. across the Androscoggin River on the Cleveland Bridge. At the east end of the bridge, Unity St. swings left and passes through a set of traffic lights in 0.7 mi. from NH 16. At 0.8 mi., the road bears right across railroad tracks, and at 0.9 mi., it bears left and becomes Hutchins St. On Hutchins St. it bears left at 1.6 mi. and at 1.9 mi, where there is usually a sign on the left reading "OHRV PARKING 1 MILE," the Success Pond Rd. begins on the right (east). A short distance in from Hutchins St., there have been boulders and cables on either side of the road. The first part of Success Pond Road at times been difficult to distinguish from branch roads, though at 0.2 mi., a sign, "Success Pond Rd.," has recently been placed, and mile markers have been posted along the main road. At 0.5 mi. from Hutchins St., the road bears left under a power line, and at 1.0 mi., it passes parking for the Success ATV Trail on the right. Once past this area, it is well defined-though it is often easy to take a dead-end branch road by mistake. At 10.9 miles from Hutchins St., turn Right on Shelter Brook Rd; at 0.3 miles, turn R to stay on Shelter Brook Rd; avoid Alder Brook Rd.  Caution: do not cross bridges if they appear to be deteriorated.  At 0.5 miles from Success Pond Rd, there is parking.  We will spot cars here and then proceed to the Speck Pond Trail further down Success Pond Rd to begin the hike.

Overnight Option: Because of the early start time and the remoteness of the Mahoosucs for many GO-ers (almost 3 hours north of Concord, NH), we will be staying at Hastings Campground, 3 miles south of Rt. 2 on Rt. 113 in Gilead, ME. on both Tuesday and Wednesday nights. There will be nominal per-campsite and per-vehicle fees to allocate among participants. If you plan to camp with us, be sure to include that intent in the "comments" box before you click the green "sign up" button, so we can coordinate appropriately. Let us know also whether you would like to sleep in Scott's huge multi-room tent or will be bringing your own tent.

What to bring: For the hike on Wednesday: Sturdy, comfortable hiking boots; high-energy/electrolyte trail snacks and/or drinks that you can get to while on the march; lunch; 3-4 pints of water depending on temps; waterproof rain top with hood; waterproof rain pants; synthetic or wool insulating jacket (or sweater or heavy, dry shirt); working headlamp or flashlight; hat and gloves. Also useful: sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, binoculars; trekking pole(s); insect repellant; map; compass; change of socks. Avoid: cotton/denim clothing - wear only synthetics or wool. For the overnight option: Bring breakfast makings for Wednesday and Thursday as appropriate; money for group dinners at local restaurants on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. For additional info: click the 'hiking gear list' link at the bottom of this web page.

Your coordinators: alex4mts and gsgraham