Cohos Trail to Close
Update: The Cohos Trail will remain open. See White Mountains World post Cohos Trail to Remain Open
The Cohos Trail Association has decided to close most of the Cohos Trail system.
A post in the Rocks On Top forum reports that the 162 mile long Cohos trail that traverses the length of NH's northernmost, least populated, and largest county is closing due to lack of funds for maintenance.
President Kim Nilsen said the group does not generate enough income to maintain of the the trail and existing structures. In addition it has been difficult for the trail association to enlist enough volunteers or hire crews to brush out the more remote sections of the Cohos Trail.
Nilsen would like to have the Cohos Trail association continue to maintain several trails within the current Cohos trail system:
- Whipple Trail in Jefferson
- Percy Loop Trail and Percy Loop Camp on North Percy Peak in the Nash Stream Forest
- Baldhead Trail and Baldhead lean-to in Columbia
- Sanguinary Summit Trail and Panorama lean-to near Dixville Notch.
In addition Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge manager David Govatski says the Colonel Whipple Trail will remain open. The Colonel Whipple Trail runs two miles from the Whipple Road to Cherry pond. The Pondacherry Wildlife Refuge is a part of the Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge system.
Govatski is asking for help in maintaining the Whipple Trail. He can be reached at 603-586-7776.
As Kim Nelson says, "Hundreds of people put in remarkable amounts of effort making the Cohos Trail a reality," Nelson expressed his gratitude for the passion and skill that Coos County people brought to the effort of creating the trail.
If you would like more information about the Cohos Trail closing you are welcome to contact Kim Nilsen at 603-363-8902 or by email at wilshy@worldpath.net