The trail begins with an easy to moderate trek uphill to Cathedral Meadow, 1 mile from the trailhead. Half a mile further the trail reaches Moran Meadow. The trail turns uphill for another half mile and wanders into Muise Bowl. From here it travels uphill continuously on a soft, old logging-lane-turned-foot-trail, before approaching ever higher narrow meadows. Bulldozer Flat, 2.7 miles from the trailhead, has beautiful views to the west at 3,000 feet of elevation.
The trail continues through Gadwah Notch, descends into Sims Stream Valley, then climbs the 3,097-foot Baldhead Mountain. There is a shelter on Baldhead Mountain, offering far-ranging views, and providing a place to spend the night before continuing along on additional trails to the north, or as a turn-around spot to return to the trailhead.
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:
Travel on US-3 north toward Groveton, 9 miles from the intersection of US-2 in Lancaster. Turn right on NH-110E and go 2.6 miles. Turn left on Emerson Road and go 1.4 miles, and soon after crossing the Upper Ammonoosuc River, bear right onto Northside Road. Go another 0.7 miles and turn left onto Nash Stream Road.
Drive 11 miles on Nash Stream Road, to a parking spot at the Headwaters Gate next to the last camp in the valley. At the split in the road by the gate, the Gadwah Notch Trail begins along the fork to the left.
Automobile access to these trailheads is only possible when the Nash Stream Road Gate is open, typically from Memorial Day into November.
Success! A new password has been emailed to you.
