Anybody here have experience on the Cohos Trail. Thinking a thru hike is in order

[fastfoxengineering]

Anybody here have any experience on the Cohos? I think I'm gonna take my two weeks vacation this year and go thru hike the Cohos. Also considering the foothills trail down south. The Logistically the Cohos is easy for me as I live in NH.

Anybody have any experiences they'd like to share?

Regards,
Fast Fox

[LoneStranger]

You're probably already ahead of me, but just in case, Guthook has a page (http://sectionhiker.com/the-hikers-guide-to-the-cohos-trail-by-guthook/)on the trail from a few years ago. Not a lot of details though. The Friends of the Cohos Trail have a pretty active FaceySpace group https://www.facebook.com/groups/153039451407973/ There is a link there to their latest year end report.

I already have two and three week trips booked for the coming year so adding this one might lead to divorce proceedings, but I hope you'll keep us posted on your planning and maybe a trip report after. From Guthook's description this sounds like my sort of adventure and may have to go on the 2017 calendar :)

[Slo-go'en]

I've hiked some of it, most notably the Nash stream to Dixville notch section. This turned out to be a pretty easy hike as it was mostly overgrown snowmobile trail. Apparently most of the trail from Dixville notch to the boarder is on ATV trail or road. I'm not too keen on hiking on ATV trail with all the traffic there is now and if you don't get out of the way quick enough they will just run you over.

The highlight is the Kilkenny and Pilot range. The only problem here is there is no reliable water or good tenting sites for a very long way. There's a spring about 1/3d or 1/2 way up Star King. There is water between Middle and South Weeks in the spring, but dries up early in the summer (unless it rains a lot). So, from the spring on Star King all the way to Mt Cabbot, you might not have any water. Actually, finding water is a bit of a problem for much of the Cohos trail.

The other issue is resupply. The small country stores don't have much in the way of backpackers food. Some of them have a grill so you can get a nice hot meal or a sandwich and snacks, but dinners will be a problem. These stores are also a ways off the trail. You'd best plan on using mail drops to the business listed in the guide book. Being reasonably local, I'd just spend a day driving through the state and hiding food catches in 5 gallon plastic buckets, then go back and get them on the drive home.

I've been wanting to do the whole thing, but the Jefferson to Cabbot section has me worried as it would be a very long and difficult hike to do in a day due to the lack of water sources.

In any event, get the latest guide book and maps. Mine are getting a bit dated and probably don't show the Dixville to boarder section accurately any more.

[fastfoxengineering]

I do need to look into the map more. I, fortunately, have someone willing to meet me halfway through the trail to resupply me and probably go spend a night in a town. They will have a vehicle and therefore can drive pretty much anywhere. Right now, I'm just saying it's going to take 14 days. That would be a slow pace for me, however, in this planning stage I'm being conservative. I only plan on getting a food resupply once. I also plan to hike southbound right when the foliage kicks in. Allthough this trail seems like it's going to require some more time in the preparing stage, I still feel it would be a nice stress free vacation for me, because when push comes to shove, I only need a three hour drive north and when I get there.. I just start walking south till I reach my destination. Doesn't get better than that.

If all goes well, I'll be documenting my hike with an action camera and writing a detailed trail journal for this trip. Because time will be on my side, I'll spend some more time gathering information about my hike to share with you all.

[Slo-go'en]

Definitely go SOBO. You don't want to be stuck at the boarder waiting for a ride home. Much easier to arrange for a short notice ride farther south. Mid to late September depending on the type of fall we get. Seriously thinking of doing this myself this coming fall.

[Slo-go'en]

I do need to look into the map more. I, fortunately, have someone willing to meet me halfway through the trail to resupply me and probably go spend a night in a town. They will have a vehicle and therefore can drive pretty much anywhere.

There's a donation based hostel in Lancaster, about 10 miles west from the trail crossing on RT2 in Jefferson. They regularly shuttle hikes from there to Gorham, so they pass right by. There's a good Irish pub across the street from the hostel too :) Jefferson is about half way. An option to keep in mind if your ride can't make it when you need it.

[earlylight]

So, from the spring on Star King all the way to Mt Cabbot

The other issue is resupply. The small country stores don't have much in the way of backpackers food. Some of them have a grill so you can get a nice hot meal or a sandwich and snacks, but dinners will be a problem. These stores are also a ways off the trail. You'd best plan on using mail drops to the business listed in the guide book. Being reasonably local, I'd just spend a day driving through the state and hiding food catches in 5 gallon plastic buckets, then go back and get them on the drive home.

I've been wanting to do the whole thing, but the Jefferson to Cabbot section has me worried as it would be a very long and difficult hike to do in a day due to the lack of water sources.
.

There's plenty of water between Jefferson and Cabot. Suggest you look at a map. There also a stream in the col between North Weeks and Terrace. There are also plenty of tent sites. Well not prepared ones, but you are allowed to backcountry camp in the White Mountain National Forest. Check the regulations. Things gets harder though when you leave the Forest, since most of the northern half of the Cohos is on lumber company and private land where camping is not permitted and they eat people who break the law.


Hope that helps.

[1azarus]

i've done the most travelled section, from the mount washington hotel south... and really liked having an alternative white mountain experience. what a treat to be off the AT! i do follow the face book trail updates, and it seems like the trail is improving rapidly, with snow mobile trails being replaced by real hiking trails. I think I will be section hiking the most interesting parts of the trail, starting this spring. keep us posted on your experience!

[fastfoxengineering]

Definitely go SOBO. You don't want to be stuck at the boarder waiting for a ride home. Much easier to arrange for a short notice ride farther south. Mid to late September depending on the type of fall we get. Seriously thinking of doing this myself this coming fall.

Yupp, SOBO is definitely the direction Ill be walking. Especially because on my last day I can go spend a night in town in the white mtn region and get a ride home the next morning. Thanks for the info, might see you on the traill. I gotta buy the guidebook soon!

[Slo-go'en]

There's plenty of water between Jefferson and Cabot. Suggest you look at a map. There also a stream in the col between North Weeks and Terrace. Hope that helps.

Then why does my guide book says "Caution: It can be difficult to find adequate water during dry summers in the Kilkenny"? It also says that water at Bunnel and Wilard notch is unreliable. A "dry summer" was definitely the case this year and extended well into the fall. It was getting so bad, I was afraid the stream which supplies water to my cottage would dry up. It was down to a trickle before it started to rain again.

It looks like the only reliable water along here is near Terrace Mountain (which also has a tent site). The water at Cabot is a rain barrel, so that might not be reliable or very good. The next water is at Unknown pond. Water might be found by hiking down the York Pond trail or the Mt Cabot trail at Bunnel notch a ways.

[earlylight]

I don't know what "guidebook" you're using. I hike up there frequently. I still suggest you look at a map. Wonderful invention. Reliable water is within easy walking distance.

[fastfoxengineering]

So a thru-hike of the cohos is on for this fall. Got two weeks vacation and plan on spending it on the trail. Time to start preparing. For those of you with more experience than I, is the Cohos terrain and environment similar to the "woodsy" sections of the white mountains. I'm assuming the trail will be fairly similar to the Long Trail of Vermont.

I'm thinking my hammock setup will prob be best over a ground setup. I know there are two or three shelters, but I'll be camping out anyways. 20 degree set of quilts and my warm clothes in the pack.

Cant freaking wait.

[fastfoxengineering]

And when I say fairy similar to the LT, i'm talking terrain, not logistics. Meaning you typically have better luck with a hammock than finding a flat spot for a good ground camp. Not many primitive campsites around and such.

I'm about to order the newest guidebook and maps as well because i made the cognitive decision to say I'm gonna spend my vacation cursing, I mean, having a blast in the whites lol...

even better news, my good friend who missed out dearly on thru hiking the LT with me, is my hiking partner this time around

[fastfoxengineering]

Have the last week of September and first week of October off from work. Ordered my Cohos Trail maps and Thru-hiker guide book in the northbound orientation. Turns out, we'll be heading north instead of south.

Dehydrator's also been in full swing for delicious trail snacks and meals fresh from the home garden.

More to come, going to be getting more involved with some planning now that it's right around the corner.

[1azarus]

I am really glad you are going now. i'd love to hear how the new guide works, and I'd love to hear about your trail hiking experience. I follow the trail's facebook page and am impressed with their efforts to improve the trail. I've been distracted from the Cohos, and I need a positive report to get me back! Post logistics in advance, please... someone may want to take advantage of a northern terminus pickup!

[peakbagger]

I haven't had direct experience with this shuttle service but they seem to have a good reliable reputation http://www.trailangelshikerservices.com/shuttle.html. They are based out of Berlin NH. A shuttle will be quite expensive as its a long haul From Crawford Notch to the Canadian border.

Please note that the Cohos trail is a "black sheep" where it runs through the WMNF due to past issues. No issues with hiking existing trails just realize that they will not be signed or acknowledged as the Cohos trail. It is quite a solitary trail north of RT2 with the exception of day hikers accessing Waumbek and Cabot.

ATVs are the new economic engine for the north country of NH, there is an extensive trail network in place. The biggest issue to hikers is that they have occasional large events which can really eat up tourist accommodations. The dates to avoid are August 6 and 7 and Sept 23,24,25th

[fastfoxengineering]

Thanks for the info, ill do a video overview of the map and guide soon

[jeffmeh]

Great. Keenly interested in this one.

[Slo-go'en]

I'd be interested in knowing what the current state of sharing parts of the trail with ATV's above Dixeville Notch is.

[pedxing]

I just completed a SOBO hike of the Cohos a few days ago. I'd done it NOBO back in 2009. My logistics were pretty simple: I left my car at the Davis Path trailhead and when I finished I hitched back to my car (down Rt. 3 to 302). It took me about 6 hours, including maybe 8 - 10 miles of road walking and a break where a nice guy working on his house, who saw me walking and hitching, invited me in for a sandwich and coffee. I didn't do any significant resupply between Jefferson and Young's Store in Pittsburg - though I did pick up some calories at the soda machine and Camp Store at Coleman State Park.

I think a hammock is better for the trip. I used a hammock in 2009, and a tent this time.

I wasn't bothered by the ATVs - though there are plenty of them out and about, especially above Coleman State Park. I just waved at all of them.

On the whole the Cohos Trail handles water better than in 2009, but there are still areas - especially snowmobile trails with tall grasses that can be very wet, marshy and muddy. I'll post a link when I get get my trail journal up.

[pedxing]

On comparisons to the Long Trail: I agree in terms of having better luck with a hammock. Otherwise, I find them quite different (based on LT X 4 and CT X 2). Being much earlier in it's development, there are many more road walks on the CT and much more use of rather unmaintained snowmobile and cross country ski trails. The last time I hiked the LT, it was during record rains and it still wasn't as wet as the Cohos was both times I hiked it (some of this is about the weather both times, but it is also a function of the current nature of the CT). The LT is also easier to follow - major disruptions are blazed and marked more quickly. For example, it took me a while to work my way through some major timber harvesting around the Tumbledick trail (south of Coleman Park) - where the landscape was torn up in seemingly random fashion and the blazed trees were all downed.

While the LT is a trail that follows mountain ridges, the CT only does this in places. In other areas it is a lowland trail following lakes and water flow (a little like the Northville Placid Trail).

[fastfoxengineering]

Thanks for the input. Can you elaborate on the tent vs hammock situation. I'm torn between my two rigs. What is camping like along the ct? Did you spend alot of nights in your tent/hammock or did you utilize the shelters and/or accommodations like campground cabins. Why do you recommend a hammock over a tent? Also, have any ideas for can't miss attractions or camp spots? Any specific gear you found useful in particular to the trail. Leaving in three weeks and can't wait.

[pedxing]

Thanks for the input. Can you elaborate on the tent vs hammock situation. I'm torn between my two rigs. What is camping like along the ct? Did you spend alot of nights in your tent/hammock or did you utilize the shelters and/or accommodations like campground cabins. Why do you recommend a hammock over a tent? Also, have any ideas for can't miss attractions or camp spots? Any specific gear you found useful in particular to the trail. Leaving in three weeks and can't wait.

I used a tent 9 nights and stayed in Cabot Cabin, Panorama Shelter and the Mountain Bungalow the other 3 nights. I spent much more time looking for a reasonable spot to place my tent this time, than I did looking for a spot 7 years ago when I had my hammock. When I went looking for a spot for my tent, I saw great hammock spots before I saw a tent spot - uneven ground, trails on slopes, rocks and roots and fallen trees were common issues. Mountain Bungalow - near Pittsburg in the north was not being actively monitored, but a door was open to let myself in. The space is on the second floor - there is no longer running water there, but there is a garden hose under the steps to the house.

The Connecticut Lakes are beautiful. Some of the road walkis, especially the gravel roads are beautiful - some, like the 5 miles or so south of Lake Francis become very tedious (but there are plenty of places to get down to the lake and take a break and to swim if the weather is right). Lot's of the detours are worthwhile - Table Rock is only a few yards off the trail and is stunning. South Pond Recreation area is a great place to take a break and take a swim (and if it's raining - the changing room will be unused and is a good place to air out gear, let your tent or rain tarp dry a bit if needed and organize your things). The views from North Percy are great.

Not far south of Coleman State Park - there had been a great deal of timber harvesting in fairly random patterns that left the earth torn up and took out blazed trees. In two areas, I found it hard to find where the trail came out. At the first spot, just south of Tumbledick Trail, sticking fairly straight and level with a slight right tending bias got me to the start of Tumbledick Trail. At the major interuption along Tumbledick - I didn't see where to pick up the trail, so I hiked to the east of the area where the trail might be and then bushwhacked west to regain the trail (this was a low risk strategy since if I missed the trail, I would wind up on Diamond Pond Road which was on the trail). I lost a lot of time in this section.

In the south, I did not take the high peaks option and hiked into the Dry River wilderness on the original Cohos route. I've been along the Presidential Ridge numerous times and hadn't been down to the Dry River Wilderness since before it was closed due to hurricane damage. The trail to, along and up from the Dry River Wilderness remains a mess - erosion, blow downs are all over the place and it's a lot of work - you'll save time and hassle if you take the high peaks route. The Dry River route is isolated - I saw no one along the route and has it's charms. There are established camp sites on either side of the River (right on the river on the north side, not far along the trail on the south - with a tributary to Dry River being the water source) - so if you camp down there, I'd suggest crossing before setting up camp if the crossing is good and there is any question of rain overnight. Bushwhacking to find a safe crossing is a hassle - there are no established herd paths to alternate crossing points.

One piece of great I found helpul: a pair of sandals (or crocs) which I felt comfortable hiking in. Given areas of the trail that can stay wet long after the rain, I liked the opportunity to hike in sandals and let my feet air and dry a bit (especially on road walks).

[peakbagger]

A quick comment on how wet the trail may be, unlike the rest of NH, NW Coos country is not in a drought pattern and is actually close to normal rain fall. Therefore it may not be as dry as some would think based on how dry it is down in southern NH.

The other thing to factor is in about three weeks, Sept 23rd and 24th is huge ATV event in Northern NH. The focus point is Berlin but the entire ride the wilds ATV system that runs in the same area as the Cohos trail will be swamped with folks. This is national event with potential 5 to 8 thousand ATVs in the area. Not an issue if you are out in the woods in the WMNF (south of RT 110) but a problem if you need any services that weekend.

[pedxing]

Another thing to keep in mind - the data books are helpful, but they are far less precise than the AT or LT data books. Some gravel roads and logging roads seemed significantly longer than posted in the book. The most glaring thing I saw was the data for the Hardscrabble and Deadwater region (at least in the Northbound book) - the summary says the sections is 18.5 miles, but if you add up the distances for the individual sections you get about 13 miles (14 if you add the 1 mile side trip).

[fastfoxengineering]

That's a lot of great information, thank you for taking the time to write that up.

I'll be considering taking my hammock for this trip more so than my tent now. All the blow downs and wetness you speak of make me want to stay high and dry hanging. I enjoy my hammock in those conditions cause it's just easier to keep a cleaner camp. Was going to tarp it. Now I'm playing with my dutchware...I think my hammock is mad at me for sleeping on the ground lately.

Camp shoes. I'll find something to take along. I found camp shoes very helpful on the Long Trail and picked some up in town about a quarter the way through my thru hike. I typically don't pack camp shoes and started to see the need not to carry them while hiking with trail runners. But if the CT is as wet, muddy, and gross trail as you say...camp shoes are a major plus for the end of the day.

I took some notes on the all the places you mentioned in my thru hikers data book. Thanks

I start hiking NOBO on Sept 23rd so I don't think I'll have any problems with the ATV party.

Just curious, what was your daily mileage? How many days to complete? Are you a strong hiker? I can routinely put in 12-15 miles days here in the rugged whites while out backpacking. I'm thinking it's going to take me 10-12 days. This trail is hard to plan for logistically. Planning a resupply drop is tough as I'm not sure where or when I'll be at a certain destination.

Thanks again for your input,
Fastfox

[pedxing]

Of course it may dry out for you, but for me both times doing the CT water/moisture was more of an issue than it was for any of the 4 times I did the LT (even once during record water levels in 2013).

I was on the trail for 10 full days + 2 partial. I started about 4pm on the 11th of August, going in far enough to set up a tent. I finished the morning of the 22nd. I took a litle over 1/2 of the suggested detours. I slowed a bit for the last two days since I wanted to stay at the Mountain Bungalow and wanted to have a full day to hitch hike back to my car from the Canadian Border. I didn't resupply between Jefferson and Young's store in Pittsburg, though I got some calories (soda and a snack) at Coleman State Park. I think they might be willing to hold a package at Coleman.

I'm not particularly fast as a backpacker. For reference, my fastest LT E2E was 17 days. My slowest was 22.

[fastfoxengineering]

Finished a nobo thru hike of the cohos in these past two weeks.. crawford to canada. hiked for 12 days and had a hell of a time. fall foliage was at it's best and only rained for 6 hours out of the whole trip. got a little chilly at times but was a damn good hike.

more to come

[1azarus]

Wow. Glad you had a great time.

[jeffmeh]

Excellent. Looking forward to hearing more about it.

[fastfoxengineering]

Already finished a work week since my thru hike, here's what I could throw together in the little spare time I have at the moment..

ALOT more to come lol

https://youtu.be/RD2KP1TmzyU

I will be putting together my itinerary and notes together.. i took alot in my Cohos trail guide book.. the map and guidebook were sufficient and navigating the trail was not difficult, but there is misinformation and discrepancies in both... I thought they were pretty good for a first edition and a small operation putting it together.

[fastfoxengineering]

Here's another one ... unedited footage of table rock. man that view was sweet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEiybFLKHZw&feature=youtu.be

[fastfoxengineering]

got a few more videos posted of the cohos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCGqtzM2LgI

[pedxing]

Thanks FFE!

[Dogwood]

Anyone continue north of the Border extending the hike to Megantic on the Sentier Frontaliers trails?

[fastfoxengineering]

Working on alot more videos. I have tons of footage from this trip. Unfortunately my editing skills aren't the best. Dogwood. All I can say is the northern section of this trail. Especially the last 25 miles is remote. Not travelled alot. I doubt many people hike up there. Last hiker we saw was after Cabot mountain. After that we only saw a few hunters in the woods all the way to Canada.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

[Thinspace]

Here's a great video of the train in winter. It's a bit long but I found it pretty entertaining and informative.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47YwNozdnFk

[eblanche]

I just finished hiking the trail and just wanted to drop off some more recent pics/video.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipN9xUW52o2-BSsMdIWjuiLuIp9rc68kgvJNRzvg1_vwWy1MyRKrnUrTZV5XCG KhdA?hl=en&key=WllKRF9DOERXLXRqTUFWcmVyME1SNzRVR2txQU93

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOCt3TS7sxU&feature=youtu.be

I purchased the northbound guidebook, the data book, AND the fold out map. I used the map the most, used the guidebook sparingly, and the data book with mileage very infrequently. I thought the trail was overall well blazed and easy to navigate minus a few exceptions. I had trouble in a few logging areas finding the blazes and at the point of intersections quite often. For the most part you can use the blazes but the guidebook is helpful when questioning yourself. I do have to say though that I thought the guidebook confused me more often than it helped me due to the way it was written.

Let me know if anyone has any questions !

[pedxing]

Thanks for the pics eblanche. They provide a nice review of the CT.

[1azarus]

how stupid is it to hike the Cohos Trail the first week of June? I am trying to figure out the best place to hike for four days or so without becoming bug food. The AT in NJ, The Catskills, THE GRAFTON LOOP, The Adirondacks, The Whites, the Cohos trail are all candidates. If I did more of the Cohos Trail, it would be either starting just north of the Omni Mt Washington hotel and heading north or at the Canadian Border and heading south... The Adirondacks would be a High Peak trip. advice and chuckles welcome.

[peakbagger]

Definitely you are going to be eaten alive in NH in early June unless you are wearing a full bug suit. AT in NJ is a far better fit

[pedxing]

Definitely you are going to be eaten alive in NH in early June unless you are wearing a full bug suit. AT in NJ is a far better fit

I agree with peakbagger - unless we have some really freak weather, mud and bugs will be awful on the Cohos in early June. I did twice, starting in late July the first time. and then mid-August and it was plenty swampy and a bit buggy even then.

[D2maine]

a winter thru of the cohos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47YwNozdnFk

[glenrunner]

Hey everyone. I have the month of June + the first week in July off between school and work next year, and I’m looking for a backpacking trip during that time. The Cohos is currently #1 on my radar, and I’m curious how bad the bugs really are in mid to late June. I just finished my AT thru-hike and hit some pretty bad bugs in the mid-Atlantic (think constant kamikazes straight into your eyeballs + clouds of mosquitoes), but nothing that wasn’t manageable for me with bug spray and a head net. I hit the Whites in July, and there were hardly any bugs to speak of. I’m considering just going for the Cohos because the other trails I’m looking into (LT, JMT, Tahoe Rim) also reportedly have horrendous bugs during June. If anyone who is from the NH/VT/ME area could give me some insights on the bug situation in mid to late June, I’d really appreciate it.

[pedxing]

One issue with the Cohos trail that I haven't run into on other trails is that in the northern half, the trail makes use of snowmobile trails and other pre-existing trails which are not really built for summer hiking. What this means is that water doesn't run off well and you can get areas of swampy unmoving water on and along the trail. The Cohos Trail Association has been doing incredible work in mitigating this, but as of my second CT hike, there was still a long way to go and in the wrong conditions this can make for wet swampy walking that will keep hiking shoes and trail runners soaked and provide great breeding for mosquitos. Unless late Spring has been very warm, this may not be a problem yet in June. In the Northeast overall, June can have massive quantities of black flies.

Overall, I think the bug situation on the CT would be comparable to the bug situation in the Northern LT. Generally, bug wise, September is likely to be better than August, August better than July, and July better than June - but things can vary radically year to year.

[Slo-go'en]

If anyone who is from the NH/VT/ME area could give me some insights on the bug situation in mid to late June, I’d really appreciate it.

Anywhere you go in New England can have bad bugs in June. It can be highly variable due to local conditions and what the weather in May was like. In general, it's a good idea to avoid this area in June. After July 4th is a good rule of thumb. OTOH, finding water along the Cohos trail can be an issue, so it could be better to go when it's wet.

[pedxing]

If you are on facebook, you might see what people have to say if you ask them at Friends of the Cohos Trail:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/153039451407973/

[glenrunner]

Thanks for your input! I just joined this facebook group so that I can stay up to date going forward. I'm debating trying to peakbag the NH 48 4000 footers or perhaps the NE 67 4000 footers instead of a thru-hike, as my AT crew mostly lived in Connecticut and Maine and could join in on day trips.