Cohos Trail (Nash Stream Forest Section)

Dogs Unknown

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

This part of the Cohos Trail starts at the end of South Pond Link, on Route 110. It follows Bell Hill Road, then turns left onto Percy Road (just after the railroad tracks). Follow Percy Road until you see an orange gate on the right. Here, the trail coincides with Bald Mountain Notch Trail; this is also a snowmobile trail (during the winter). It passes by the unsigned Pike Pond Trail (on the right), and turns left.

It passes by a snowmobile junction, where NH Primary 117 comes in from the right... stay straight and to the left. It passes by an unsigned spur (on the left) that goes to the summit of Bald Mountain. Stay right onto Rowell Link. Rowell Link eventually turns into an old road as it makes its way to Old Summer Club Trail. Devil's Rest Shelter is 0.5 miles (to the left) down NH Primary 117.

Turn right onto Old Summer Club Trail to pass by Victor Head Trail (on the right). Old Summer Club Trail climbs up to a spur trail on South Percy Peak and continues to Percy Peaks Trail. Turn Right onto Percy Peaks Trail and follow it for a short distance to Percy Loop Trail. The trail descends through a rocky area that might be somewhat technical at points. It levels out as it comes to Trio Trail. Turn right (across the brook) onto Trio Trail. Here, in the middle of the trail, is a tent platform for Percy Loop Camp.

Trio Trail descends running back and forth over old logging roads and singletrack to Trio Ponds Road. Take a right onto Trio Ponds Road, then a left at Pond Brook Falls Trail. Don't miss the falls, here; it's worth the break. The trail takes a right onto Nash Stream Road, then a left at the sign for Trailblazer Bridge. It climbs up to West Side ATV Trail and turns right. Bring your bugspray because this road is swarming with bugs.

Stay on the main road until you see a gated road (on the right). Go around the gate and follow Sugarloaf Arm Trail, here. After climbing over the hill, you'll descend to Old Hermit Shelter (on the left). Continue along Sugarloaf Arm Trail, then take a right along Sugarloaf Mountain Trail. Connect to East Side Trail and follow this to Pike Brook Trail.

The Cohos Trail, now, follows Pike Brook Trail. At Nineteen Valley Trail, turn left, then right onto Gadwah Notch Trail. The trail follows an old road for most of the ways until you come to Bulldozer Flat. Here, the trail turns into singletrack as it makes its way to Baldhead Shelter.

Flora: Sundew plants, White Birch, Alder.
Fauna: Chipmunks, Deer Flies, Black Flies, Mosquitoes, Juncos.