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RIP Welton Falls Trail North?
(section under the powerlines) |
Elwell Trail was lovely, but the Welton Falls Trail was another matter. This is an access trail leading from Valley View Road. I had parked at the trailhead after talking with a neighbor a few weeks earlier, headed up the hill with a loaded pack, and enjoyed the view from a mysterious swing before continuing on. It had been a long drive up from Connecticut, and it was so nice to finally be underway. But then the trail was obliterated just a bit beyond the swing. Looked like earthwork for a new house. There was a very small 'no trespassing' sign in front of the earthwork. Argh. Why not post that info at the trailhead? I'd done a lot of research on this trail and talked with a neighbor, driven five hours, and now this? No one was around, and the affected area was maybe 100 feet, so I just walked across it.
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| Elwell Trail was great |
I suggest northbound hikers look into staying on Elwell Trail past Bear Mountain and get off at Bear Mountain Road, walking into Hebron via West Shore Road. Because Elwell Trail is worth it. The first part had lush regrowth and lots of moose sign after some previous logging. The rest of the trail was a classic ridgeline trail, dipping down into the trees and then up onto bald areas.
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| Lots of moose sign in here |
I read on some old blog that AMC was considering closing Elwell Trail, presumably because not many people hike it and maintaining trails is a lot of work. I hope they keep it open. The eastern part appeared seldom-used, and there were a few blowdowns to step around here and there, but nothing significant. And there was always a trail marking when needed.
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| Golden Pholiota(?) Mushrooms on Beech |
Overall, the trail was moderately easy. Just a few challenging spots to keep things interesting. There were lots of scenic overlooks, but I couldn't really see Mt. Cardigan. That was partly due to the low clouds obscuring the mountain.
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| Peak color! |
It was peak color up there on October 10. I was afraid it might be on the late side, but it was a warm fall and the colors were holding on. Beautiful!
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| Looking back at Plymouth Mountain |
It was nice to have legit paper trail maps once again. The trails around Mt. Cardigan are depicted on AMC's Southern New Hampshire Trail Map, which also includes Mt. Monadnock and Mt. Sunapee and Pillsbury State Parks, areas that the NET-Cohos Trail passes through.
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| The only people seen all day |
Continuing west, the trail started to feel more used, and there was a group of young people at one of the overlooks having a great time.
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| Reindeer moss and cairns on the bald areas |
Eventually Elwell Trail dips down off the ridge to the south, while the Oregon Mountain Trail stays up on the ridge, pretty much parallel to Elwell Trail. I stuck with the ridge hike and was glad for it.
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| Digressing onto the Oregon Mtn Trail |
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| Oregon Mountain was lovely |
There don't seem to be any "reliable" water sources up on the ridge, but I was able to catch some drinking water here and there. When those spots dry up, backpackers probably need to head down the Back 80 trail to a beaver pond.
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| Looking south over the beaver pond, a source of water |
Legal camping spots include a big tenting area to the south off of the mountain, and Crag Shelter, which is up on the ridge north of Cardigan and Firescrew along Mowglis Trail. I was headed in that direction.
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| Hobblebush heavily cropped by moose |
Hanging up my bear bag, I got my gear tangled up a bit in some Hobblebush. It was really chewed up. If you look at it closely, you can see where moose have been cropping it down repeatedly (above photo).
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Bear bag over Hobblebush
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What a lovely hike. Very peaceful, and beauty all around.
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