The loop begins by ascending the Basin Trail. The trail begins by traveling across a flat grade through the woods, and then over plank walkways through a wet area, where it enters the Wild River Wilderness. The trail then approaches Blue Brook, and follows its west banks for about three-quarters of a mile, until crossing the brook by a cascade and briefly its east bank. After the trail turns away from the Blue Brook, it begins to climb more steeply, reaching Rim Junction 2.2 miles from the trailhead. Heading south on the Basin Rim Trail at Rim Junction leads to a nice viewpoint from some open ledges, 0.1 from the junction.
The loop continues from Rim Junction to the south on the Black Angel Trail. The trail descends gradually to a junction with the Blue Brook Connector Trail and a spur trail leading to the Blue Brook Tent Site. The Black Angel trail then crosses Blue Brook and steadily ascends to a shoulder by a col before heading back down, following an old logging road through the Cedar Brook Valley to Wild River, 2.3 miles from Rim Junction.
The Wild River Trail turns off the Black Angel Trail just before the river. The Wild River Trail heads northeast along the banks of the river, following an old railroad grade much of the way 2.7 miles back to the trailhead near Wild River Campground
Before you hike, know the hiker responsibility code and be prepared:
Visit the hikeSafe website to learn more!
For additional information, visit the White Mountains National Forest website, or contact:
Take NH-113 south from US-2 in Gilead, ME. Go 3.2 miles to Wild River Road on the left. Follow Wild River Road 4.8 miles to the trailhead just before the campground at road's end.
Please note: the NH-113 gate is closed during winter November - May.
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