This wide snowmobile trail with gentle grades parallels the eastern shore of Lake Francis. At just over a mile the trail meets up with the shore of the lake, offering a splendid view six miles down the length of the lake to the west. From the viewpoint it is another 2.5 miles to the bridge crossing the Connecticut River where it flows into the lake, a good turn-around point if doing an out-and-back day hike. Cars may also be spotted utilizing a small pull-off for cars by the bridge, to hike the trail in just one direction. The Cohos Trail continues to the north from here to Mount Prospect.
The Cohos Trail is a system of pathways and spur trails from southern Crawford Notch in the White Mountain National Forest through the Great North Woods to the Canadian border at far-flung Pittsburg, NH. Within this geography it stretches for 170 miles of wilderness hiking. To learn more about the Cohos Trail, visit their website, purchase the Cohos Trail Guidebook and support the organization.
For additional information, visit the Cohos Trail Association website, or contact:
Cohos Trail AssociationNORTH TRAILHEAD
From Pittsburg Village at the west end of Lake Francis, head north on US-3 for 5.7 miles to the hamlet of Happy Corner. Pass Young's Store on the right, and go an additional 0.7 miles and turn right on River Road. Go 1.1 miles south on River Road, and as a small covered bridge comes into view ahead but before reaching it, take a left on Carr Ridge Road. Go about 450 feet to the bridge that crosses the Connecticut River, and park in the pullout areas just before the bridge. Cross the bridge on foot. The trail to the south begins along a grassy lane just beyond the bridge on the right.
SOUTH TRAILHEAD
From Pittsburg Village at the west end of Lake Francis, take NH-45 S. 0.2 miles down from US-3, turn left onto Cedar Stream Road. Go 6.8 and take the road on the left. Go 450 feet and park where the road bends sharply to the left, just before a bridge. Continue on foot over the bridge, then over a second bridge, for 0.2 miles to the Lake Francis Trail on the left.
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