Cohos Trail (White Mountain Section)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Historical Significance · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Though envisioned in 1978, development of the trail didn't start until some time after 1998. Though the trail isn't blazed with CT markers, there are still guidebooks and maps that can be purchased at cohostrail.org/

This is the southern terminus of the Cohos Trail; a 170-mile trail that extends northward to Canada. It starts from the Davis Path Trailhead and follows the Davis Path to Isolation Trail (West). Here, hikers have the option to either follow the original route of the Cohos Trail or take the High Peaks option. The High Peaks option avoids the Isolation and Mount Eisenhower Trail, which were devastated by Hurricane Irene (2011).

Turning left onto Isolation Trail (West) will take you through a rough wilderness trail, where you'll have to rely on your navigational skills. The trail mostly follows the river, though you might have to get your feet wet (in some areas). Be mindful of areas where landslides have removed parts of the trail. Turn right when you reach Dry River Trail.

Turn left (downhill) onto Mount Eisenhower Trail. Though it's called the Dry River, it's usually a raging torrent of white water.

Please use extreme caution when crossing the river (rock-hopping isn't always the safest option).

Continue following Mount Eisenhower Trail until you reach Crawford Path.

Take a left onto Crawford Path and follow it to the top of Edmands Path. Descend Edmands Path to the trailhead. From here, the trail follows Mount Clinton Road to the right. At the dogleg (in the road), turn left onto the old railroad grade. After passing Abenaki Crossing (on the left), the Cohos Trail follows the B & M Trail. At Junction 13, the trail stays right (following B & M Trail). At Junction 36, the trail turns right (off B & M Trail) towards Middle Falls. The trail follows Bridle Path to the golf course. Follow the outermost lane of the golf course around the perimeter. Cross over the bridge and follow the Mount Washington Hotel entrance road out to Route 302.

Follow Route 302 to the right to Old Cherry Mountain Road. Near Fabyan's Restaurant, there is the option to follow the snowmobile trail to Old Cherry Mountain Road. This first section of the Cohos Trail ends at the Route 302/ Old Cherry Mountain Road Junction.