The short but stunning Mahoosuc
Range has major-league
attractions, like the toughest
mile on the Appalachain Trail
and conditions that discourage
the faint of heart.
By Michele Morris
GETTING THERE: The
easiest access from the west is
at the Centennial/AT trailhead
on US2, about 2 miles est of
Gorham, New Hampshire. The
Eastern trailhead is in Grafton
Notch State Park, Maine, where
the AT crosses ME26. Both
locations are about 180 miles
from Boston.
ROUTE: The 31 mile
Mahoosuc Trail travels along the
spine of the range from Gorham
to Grafton Notch State Park,
witha new parallel trail in the
works. Numerous side
trails allow for several
excellent weekend loops varying
difficulty.
FEES: A caretaker at the
Speck Pond Campsite from June 1
to October 15 collects the $6
per night fee.
GUIDES:
The best topo is "Map
1"(Grafton Notch to Androscoggin
Valley) of the official AT maps
for New Hampshire and Vermont (www.atctrailstore.org;$12.95
for NH/VT set). The trails
is described with distances and
estimated hiking times in the
"Maine Mountain Guide", 8th
Edition by AMC (Appalachain
Mountain Club,
617-523-0636;$18.95.
FEES: Appalachain Trail
Conference(304)535-6331;
www.atconf.org
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