FranklinSites.com Hiking Guide
Home

States
 Colorado
 Connecticut
 Maine
 Massachusetts
 New Hampshire
 New York
 Rhode Island
 Utah
 Vermont

 View All

Lists
 NE 4,000 Footers
 NE 100 Highest
 NH 4,000 Footers
 NH 100 Highest
 NH 52 With A View
 NH Belknap Range
 NH Ossipee 10

Links

Trail Conditions

Trip Log
 Sunrises
 Sunsets


About


Mt. Hayes
Gorham, NH, Shelburne, NH

Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up the Mahoosuc Trail
Looking up the Mahoosuc Trail

Route: Hogan Road, Mahoosuc Trail, (Mt. Hayes), Mahoosuc Trail, Hogan Road

Mt. Hayes had been on my radar for quite some time. For whatever reason, I had never ended up hiking it. Thus, with the south facing slope, I decided to give it a try.

It was quite an adventure in trying to get to the trailhead - the dirt road went from bumpy to muddy to snowy to partially washed out (ie deep water bars and exposed culverts). I nearly turned back at one point, thinking I must have missed the trailhead.

After finally reaching the third dam, I parked and continued up the road, soon reaching the trailhead. The first portion of the trail was fairly dry and gradual. Beyond a spur trail to a pond, things picked up a bit and became somewhat muddy and wet in places. While the footing down low was decent, there was some rocky footing as I climbed.

Soon after passing a spur path to a spring, constant snowcover started. Passing a really nice view ledge, I continued along the ridge to the highpoint. While there weren't any real views from it, the views from said ledge 10 minutes away were tremendous. After reaching the summit, I returned to the view ledge. The scenery was amazing, ranging from points in Maine to the Pliny area. Of particular note were the views of the Carters and Presidentials.

With the sun working its way down and the winds picking up, I didn't loiter for long. Fortunately, I was able to make it back to the trailhead without needing to pull out a headlamp.


Hike Ratings
Getting To Trailhead: Moderate
Destination: Mt. Hayes
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Difficult
Navigation: Easy
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Minimal


Hike Stats
Date Hiked: Monday, April 13, 2009
Hike Commenced: 5:24 PM
Parking Elevation: 800'
Destination: Mt. Hayes
Ascent Commenced: 5:26 PM
Summit Reached: 6:31 PM
Time Elapsed: 01:05
Trailhead Elevation: 820'
Summit Elevation: 2,555'
Distance: 2.4 miles
Vertical Gain: 1,785'
Hike Ended: 7:38 PM
Hike Time Elapsed: 02:14
Hike Distance: 5 miles
Hike Vertical Gain: 1,855'


The Mahoosuc Trail trailhead
The Mahoosuc Trail trailhead

Looking at Pinkham Notch, surrounded by the Carters and Presidentials, from the southern ledges of Mt. Hayes - Click to enlarge
Looking at Pinkham Notch, surrounded by the Carters and Presidentials, from the southern ledges of Mt. Hayes

The last minutes of light near the trailhead
The last minutes of light near the trailhead




Directions to trailhead: Take US 2 East from Gorham. Take a left onto North Road. After crossing the river adajcent to the first dam, take a left onto Hogan Road. Bear left at any junctions on this rough dirt road (with the exception of when passing the second dam, bear right). Shortly after passing under high tension wires, the third dam will be reached. Park on the right side of the road adjacent to that facility. The Mahoosuc Trail trailhead will be a short walk up the road, on the right.

Back to Mt. Hayes Profile




Copyright 2002-2021, All Rights Reserved.
www.FranklinSites.com