Cohos Trail (Cherry Mountain Section)

Dogs Unknown

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

While this trail isn't always blazed for the Cohos Trail, guidebooks and maps can be purchased on the Cohos Trail's website.

This section of the Cohos Trail, also called the Jefferson Dome section, runs from the bottom of Cherry Mountain Road up to the base of the Starr King Trail.

This second section starts on Cherry Mountain Road, at Lower Falls Road. Don't miss out on the opportunity to see the falls; it's worth the trip.

The trail follows Cherry Mountain Road for a few miles up to Cherry Mountain Trail (on the left). Here, along the road, there's multiple campsites. It's not entirely clear if there's a reservation process in place to accommodate thru-hikers, though. The trail turns left onto Cherry Mountain Trail and follows it over Cherry Mountain and Mount Martha. Follow Marthas Mile over the top of Owl's Head and down to Route 115.

Cross over Route 115 and head to the right. When you see the sign for Slide Brook Trail, take a left. Here, is the first place you'll be able to see signs and blazes for the Cohos Trail. There's even a few kiosks that denote the trail. Follow Slide Brook Trail until you reach Presidential Range Rail Trail. Follow the rail trail to the left past the Moorhen Marshes. Don't miss out on the blueberries and wild strawberries that grow along the edge of the rail trail.

At the observation deck, follow the path listed as Waumbek Link Rail Trail towards the railroad tracks. Please use caution around the tracks as this may be an active railroad. Follow the tracks to the right past Shore Path and the first leg of Ice Ramparts Trail. Here, is one of the few views of Mount Washington, over water. At Little Cherry Pond Trail, take a right, then a left onto Ice Ramparts Trail. At the edge of the Pondicherry Preserve, the trail changes over to the Colonel Whipple Trail. Follow this trail until you come out to Whipple Road.

The trail turns right onto Whipple Road and goes out to Route 115A. Turn left onto 115A and hike the road through the town of Jefferson. This area, known as Jefferson Meadows, is all that remains of an old glacial lake. While the road-walking is tedious, this area offers an assortment of excellent views, local history, and the beautiful sound of songbirds.

As the trail turns right (in Jefferson), it passes by the Old Corner Store. Here, a thru-hiker might be able to pick up a decent re-supply. Don't miss out on the history at Perkin's Road Side Rest, before making your way to Starr King Road. Take Starr King Road to the trailhead of Starr King Trail, where this section ends.

Flora: Wild Strawberries, Cattails, Tamarack, Beech, Eastern Hemlock, Blueberries, Lupine, Chickweed, Iris, Clintonia.
Fauna: Bobolink, Sparrows, Red-Winged Blackbirds, Black Flies, Mosquitoes, Beaver (dams), No-Seeums,