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Earth Day Celebration at the AMC Highland Center
Join AMC for our celebration of Earth Day! On Saturday, April 22, at AMC’s Highland Center, we’ll have an open house all day from 10am-4pm, with an outdoor picnic lunch from 11am-4pm. We’ll have family friendly activities ongoing throughout the day, including Trailhead Trash pickup, Recycled Crafts, Litter Relay, Energy Savings, Citizen Science, and more. We’ll also have representation from local conservation advocates and businesses on hand throughout the day for Q&A. This is a great opportunity for both kids and adults to get involved in conservation. The event will take place rain or shine, with lots of indoor activities in case of rain. All activities are FREE and OPEN to the public!
Activity Stations: Ongoing, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — • Recycled Crafts • Earth’s Geology • Energy Savings • Green Technology • Leave No Trace • Citizen Science
Scheduled Activities:
10:30 a.m. – Trailhead Trash Pickup
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Earth Day Outdoor Picnic
12 p.m. – Kids’ Scavenger Hunt
2 p.m. – Litter Relay
3 p.m. – Dark Skies Talk
5 p.m. – Social Hour & Meet Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust’s Rebecca Brown
For more information, please call (603) 278-4453 or visit the event page on Facebook.
Oh, Canada! NH Attends the Montreal Outdoor Adventure Show.
You know, we have it pretty good living Northern NH. Did you know that from Littleton, NH it takes the same amount of time to drive to Montreal as it does to drive to Boston? Pretty amazing, right? Don’t get me wrong, I love Boston but over the past month, I have had the opportunity to go to Montreal twice and I have fallen in love with the city, culture, people and especially their food. Did I mention how good their food is?
Over the first weekend in April, representatives from the NH Travel and Tourism Department, the Appalachian Mountain Club, NH State Parks, and White Mountain Attractions traveled to Montreal to promote NH at the Montreal Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show (Québec’s largest showcase of outdoor gear and adventure travel experiences.)
On Friday, the day before the show, we had the unique and intimate opportunity to attend a media luncheon at Auberge Saint-Gabriel with over 50 journalists and reporters from the Montreal area. Over wine and a delicious three-course meal, we each talked about what makes New Hampshire a wonderful and easy destination for Canadians.
For two-days NH representatives talked to hundreds of Canadians about what makes New Hampshire so special. From the mountains to the seacoast, New Hampshire has everything for the outdoor enthusiast. And for Canadians, Northern New Hampshire is just 2.5 hours away.
I am lucky enough to be in a profession that I get to promote everything I love to do which is why I enjoy attending trade shows so much. I love meeting and talking to new people, I love promoting Northern New Hampshire, I love seeing people’s faces light up with excitement when talking about all there is to see and do in our region.
It was a time well spent and I am anxious to see how many Canadian visitors come to our region this summer.
Stay tuned for my next blog about taking part in the spring clearing of Mount Washington!
Mud Season Hiking Dos and Don’ts
Article by REBECCA M. FULLERTON
Mud season hiking etiquette calls for staying in the middle of the trail and stepping on rocks, when possible.
Mud season can be a challenge for hikers and trail maintainers alike. So if you want to hike in the spring, knowing how to safely enjoy soggy trails without destroying them is an essential outdoor skill.
Wet Trails are Fragile
“More and more people are hiking year-round, and while it is wonderful to have people enjoying the trails, [hikers] are also having an impact,” says Alex DeLucia, the manager of AMC’s trails volunteers and Leave No Trace programs.
According to DeLucia, the saturated surfaces following spring snowmelt are a trail maintainer’s nightmare. Each hiker’s step churns up mud and sets the stage for serious erosion. “Some maintainers would like to see most trails closed in mud season, but we prefer to ask people to hike responsibly in all seasons,” he says.
Early spring hiking etiquette requires always walking in the center of the treadway. Sticking to rocks wherever possible will preserve both the trail and your footwear, and stepping into water and mud when necessary will minimize trail damage. Although you may be tempted to walk along the sides of the trail to keep your feet dry, doing so loosens soil and makes the trail more susceptible to erosion.
Mud and Ice are Slippery
A muddy trail forces you to slow down and pay attention to each step. Lug-soled hiking boots caked with mud don’t provide much traction, and a slip could be embarrassing or, worse, lead to injury. Expect to hike slower than normal and plan a shorter hike than you would when trails are dry. Once you do hit the trail, proceed with caution.
Trekking poles are helpful on wet trails, both to keep you upright and to probe the depths of what you’re stepping into. But, DeLucia cautions, poles loosen soil and accelerate erosion, so minimize your impact by fitting them with rubber tips.
Trails at high altitudes or in shaded areas can pose an additional challenge, with rails of winter ice lingering down the center of the trail. Traction aids, such as MICROspikes, are essential in these conditions.
Choose your Hike Wisely
A trail you can hike in soggy spring conditions without causing irreparable damag is a rare and precious find. This is not the season for exploring lowlands or wetlands, nor is it the time to hike steep basins, such as the Great Gulf or Wild River wilderness areas in the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF), where crossing runoff-swollen streams is dangerous.
In the mountains, the best spring trails are well-constructed, well-traveled routes that have been hardened for heavy use; the lower half of the Tuckerman Ravine Trail in the WMNF is a perfect example. Or follow a south-facing, rocky ridgeline trail; Old Toll Road to White Cross on Mount Monadnock in southern New Hampshire is a personal favorite. You’ll still encounter mud and ice, just not as much.
If you want an absolutely clear conscience, hike a sandy coastal route, such as the Great Island Trail in Wellfleet, Mass., or a road that’s closed in the spring, such as those on Mount Greylock in western Massachusetts, or Pack Monadnock or Cathedral Ledge in New Hampshire. Mud season is also an opportune time to explore old railbeds, like the Presidential Rail Trail between Gorham and Whitefield, N.H., which were built with heavier traffic in mind.
Keep Feet Dry and Comfy
Choosing springtime footwear is a conundrum: 6-inch-high water-proof boots don’t suffice when you step in an 8-inch-deep puddle, but knee-high rubber boots don’t offer adequate cushion or support.
Wearing gaiters will help keep your feet dry in the cold spring mud. You also could invest in a pair of knee-high waterproof socks and rubber-soled wading or portage boots—popular with anglers and paddlers. Your feet stay warm, you get the traction you need for safety, and you can comfortably walk in the center of the trail to reduce your impact.
LEARN MORE
Mud season also means high water levels. Learn how to cross moving water safely here.
Waterfall Watching Is A True Spring Pleasure!
When the temperatures warm up under the gorgeous blue skies of spring, the sun goes to work on the snowpack at the higher elevations sending torrents of icy water cascading down from the mountains, into waiting rivers that carry it to the sea. These are the days that are perfect to go Waterfall Watching in New Hampshire’s North Country.
There are literally hundreds of waterfalls scattered throughout the region. Some are hidden, only to be seen by backcountry hikers and sportsmen, while others were conveniently crafted in the last Ice Age next to, or a few steps from, the road.
Waterfalls are beautiful any time of the year, but in the spring, they cascade at their mightiest, so it’s a good time to watch the power of nature and be mesmerized by the sight and the sound of the rushing water.
A few of our favorite falls follow:
SILVER CASCADE AND FLUME CASCADE: These twin falls are located side by side a few miles east of the Omni Mount Washington Hotel, at the top of Crawford Notch. They are located right alongside Route 302, with a parking lot across the road from both of them. (Be sure to watch for traffic as you cross, as this is a busy road!)
Both have been delighting visitors for more than a century, inspiring Thomas Starr King to write in his 1887 book, The White Hills: “The Flume and Silver Cascade pouring down from Mount Webster have gladdened the eyes of almost all visitors, for they are visible from the road.”
GLEN ELLIS FALLS AND CRYSTAL CASCADE: These falls are located relatively close to one another in Pinkham Notch, a few miles south of the Mount Washington Auto Road on Route 16. Both are well marked and accessible by an easy walk along trails.
Children will love the quarter-mile trek to Glen Ellis Falls because the trail goes through a tunnel under the roadway. The two-tiered falls are one of the loveliest, dropping about 65 feet.
Park at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Pinkham Notch base camp and take the three-tenths of a mile walk up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to see Crystal Cascade. It is especially impressive as Mount Washington shrugs off winter and the water drops down 60 feet to another 20-foot plunge.
BEAVER BROOK FALLS: These falls are a great treat any time of the year. Located about 2.5 miles north from downtown Colebrook on Route 145, there is a pretty little wayside with tables, so go on a nice day, and be sure to grab some picnic fixings.
The falls drop broadly over the rocks for about 100 feet.
BABY FLUME: On the downside of Route 26, a stone’s throw east from The Balsams in Dixville Notch, Flume Brook pours through Baby Flume, creating its own gorge. There is a parking area for visitors, as well as picnic tables and the gorge itself is just a few steps from your car.
HUNTINGTON CASCADES: Right across the road from Baby Flume is another Dixville Notch waterfall, Huntington Cascades. For just a few minutes of walking on level ground you’ll be rewarded by the sight of the pretty, two-tiered fan of water close to 100 feet high.
GARFIELD FALLS: This is a waterfall for the true adventurer, for it requires setting out along one of the well-maintained logging roads in Pittsburg.
For this trip, you will want to be sure the gas tank is full. Take Route 3 to Magalloway Road. Turn onto Magalloway Road, and follow it for 12.2 miles until you get to a fork in the road. Stay straight — you don’t want to go over the bridge — and continue for another mile.
There is a parking area at the head of the trail leading down to the falls, an easy hike that includes some stairs. Follow the sound of the surging water and there are the falls, a pretty 40-foot drop in the East Branch of the Dead Diamond River.
History says that Garfield Falls was such an obstacle during log drives that men would be lowered by ropes to open jams and that if the logs had wedged up too tight, they’d be blown apart by dynamite.
There is no such drama today and it is a quiet and relaxing place. Below the falls, the water continues on placidly and once summer arrives there are places where you can dip your toes if you dare.
Waterfall Watching Tips:
Be sure to wear good sturdy footwear, especially in the melting season, because the ground will be wet and the rocks will be slippery.
The warmer the day, the nicer it is for a picnic lunch! A number of waterfalls have places where you can picnic and enjoy your lunch along with the ambiance, and many local restaurants will pack you a lunch to go.
Bring along a camera and play with your aperture settings to capture the mood and flow of the waterfalls.
Use caution if tempted to climb up the rocks beside the falls — you don’t want to slip and injure yourself.
Welcome Spring at The Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa
By Eileen Alexander
A combination of impeccable hospitality, top notch accommodations and amenities, and amazing views of the mountain peaks from which it takes its name, have delighted visitors to the Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa for more than 150 years.
Come April, visitors to the Grand Hotel will relish the awakening landscape, misty mornings, sunny afternoons, and the glorious mountain vistas, while indulging in some much-needed R&R.
With a plethora of amenities from which to choose, it’s easy to plan a fun-filled day, or a quieter sojourn at the famous resort. Splash in the indoor pool, indulge yourself in the award-winning Tower Spa, take a hotel history tour, continue your fitness routine in the Health & Wellness Center, visit the farm animals, or relax in the in-house theater. Connect with family and friends over a meal in the casual Harvest Tavern Restaurant or make it a special occasion and dine in the 1865 Wine Cellar and choose a bottle or two from more than 6,000 wines. At day’s end, step onto the veranda and count the multitude of twinkling stars before retiring to your comfortable room.
The Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa offers several inviting packages each season to make your stay more enjoyable. One of these will surely help you make the transition between winter’s snows and chills and spring’s promise of warmer days, leafy green trees and tulips and daffodils popping up all over.
- Bed & Breakfast Package that includes a hearty White Mountains breakfast;
- Rest & Relaxation Package, with plenty of pampering to look forward to in the resort’s famous spa;
- Romance Package for you and your honey that features Champagne, Chocolate-Covered Strawberries and the Sök Tub Experience for Two;
- Girls Getaway Package that includes a Swedish massage and special facial for each gal pal;
- 3 for 2 Promotion — arrive on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, and stay for two nights, with your third night free.
Or plan a visit at Easter and enjoy the bounteous breakfast buffet, Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Bunny Bash, and end the day with s’mores around the campfire.
Team O’Neil Rally School Prepares Drivers for Mud Season
By Eileen Alexander
As the days warm up in April, northern New Englanders get ready for Season #5 — our infamous Mud Season — when roads heave as the frost leaves the ground and all the water from snow and ice melt turn some dirt roads into quagmires.
Most visitors to northern New Hampshire will want to avoid those mucky roads, but some intrepid drivers will set their sites on getting down and dirty in all that mud at the 580-acre plus Team O’Neil Rally School in Dalton, with its more than six miles of loose surface roads and two miles of off-road trails. This is your destination when you want to conquer mud, water, sand, ditches, logs, snow and ice, and rocks and rough terrain.
Sign up for Team O’Neil’s Off-Road Driving Course and learn how to maneuver in challenging driving conditions. Expert instructors will coach you through left foot braking; uphills, downhills and side tilts; winching and recovery techniques; and much, much more to help you remain safe and reach your destination intact.
Along with its Off-Road Driving Course, Team O’Neil offers a variety of adrenaline-pumping courses:
- One- to Five-Day Rally Schools, with each day building on the previous one, developing more advanced skills in different vehicles over varied terrain.
- Two-Day Ford Focus RS School that includes basic rally school training, along with developing skills useful for loose surface driving: inducing and correcting for the five types of skids; weight transfer; braking in turns; trail braking; driving at speed in diverse conditions; the Scandinavian Flick (pendulum turns); fast, medium and slow speed corners; and much more.
- Two-Day Cars and Guns School where participants will learn a variety of specialized car control skills and firearms training.
- OHRV Training Course that helps riders develop confidence with their machines and navigating the trails.
- Specialty courses feature Driver and Co-Driver Training; Race Car Building and Training, Testing and Practice; Motorsports Support; and Drift School. Additional offerings include a Personal Security Course, Emergency Services Training; and private one-on-one instruction.
Stay tuned for Team O’Neil’s Rally Fest 2017, set for August 12 and 13. The two days will be filled with workshops, rally car rides, guided tours of the property, Sig Sauer product demos, and a Rally X Course. Gold, VIP and Rally Cross Packages are available, in addition to general admission tickets. Kids under 12 are free.
For more information check out their website, www.teamoneil.com
Navigating the Grand North with the Handled GPS as a Travel Companion
Contributed by Jess Walter, Freelance Writer
New Hampshire’s Grand North is the perfect place for an adventurer. From fishing to off-roading and hiking, there are so many activities that allow you to become one with nature. However, the snowy mountains and icy patches can be dangerous. It is important to take caution and always bring a handheld GPS on your adventure in case of emergencies. These devices are lifesavers in dangerous situations.
Important Features to Have on Your Handheld GPS
Your GPS should be lightweight and small so that it can easily fit in your pocket. It should also be waterproof especially if you are fishing or traveling by rivers, and have an easy-to-read screen suitable for any weather condition. It is also great to have one with a distress beacon in the event of an emergency.
Top Three Handheld GPS Devices
· eTrex by Garmin: The device has a 65K color display with a 2.2”, 240×320 display screen, making it easily legible in sunlight. There is a microSD slot on the side which provides the ability to download maps. In addition to GPS, it also tracks GLONASS satellites which load 20% quicker than GPS, and has a barometric altimeter which records altitude for additional accuracy. This can come in handy when traversing the mountains of the Grand North. The device is also Bluetooth capable and waterproof for up to 30 minute immersions.
· Montana 680 Touchscreen GPS by Garmin: Another Garmin device, the Montana 680 is GLONASS and WAAS capable and with Hotfix prediction, can maintain your location regardless of the cover and canyons across New Hampshire’s Grand North. It has many additional, nice-to-have features such as a built-in 8-megapixel camera to take great shots of the wildlife and a touchscreen that is glove-friendly for the winter temperatures in New Hampshire.
· Rino 750 by Garmin: This model is a great device to have during an emergency. It has an easy-to-read 3” touchscreen with landscape and portrait views. It is Bluetooth-capable and even has updated current weather forecasts to help you plan your activities. Another special feature is its built-in 5 Watt 2-way radio. It has excellent range and comes in handy if you are ever in a dangerous situation. The Rino 750 also offers Active Weather Support with radar, position report, and emergency alerts, making the device
Ride the Wilds on Coos County’s ATV Trail System
By Eileen Alexander
Fresh air, wildlife, pristine lakes and streams, towering spruce trees, majestic views and an exciting and varied trail system are ready and waiting for you when you go ATVing on the Ride the Wilds trail system in Coös County in northern New Hampshire.
To the wide open spaces and miles and miles of trails to ride, add the friendly welcome you’ll receive whenever and wherever you stop — for gas, for food, for shopping, for lodging, or just to chat with folks — and you’ve conjured up the perfect day, weekend or weeklong ATV adventure in New Hampshire’s great outdoors.
The 1,000+ miles of Ride the Wilds trails make it possible to ride from the Gorham-Berlin area on the east side of Coös County clear over to Colebrook, Pittsburg and Stratford on the county’s western and northern borders, promising great days of riding without trailering your rig from place to place!
Ready to Ride the Wilds for some excellent ATVing? The 2017 season opens on Memorial Day weekend. Here are a few highlights of what you can expect.
Jericho Mountain State Park
Jericho Mountain State Park, located off Route 110 west of downtown Berlin, is New Hampshire’s newest state park, with more than 80 miles of varied terrain and trails designed to let you experience ATVing at its best. Whether you’re looking for an easy ride or more challenging terrain, you’ll want to return again and again as more trails are added to the 7,200-acre park that includes beautiful Jericho Lake and 2,454-foot Jericho Mountain. When you’re ready to take a break from ATVing, take a dip in the lake or eat your picnic lunch in the pavilion. Daily park fees are $4 for adults and $2 for children 11 and under.
Jericho has camping facilities, too. Twenty primitive campsites are available at the park: five cabins, four tent sites, and nine RV sites, with toilet and shower facilities and a coin-op laundry. Find the details at http://www.nhstateparks.org/explore/state-parks/jericho-mountain-state-park.aspx
For a change of pace while at Jericho, you might want to make a run on the 20-mile loop from the park down to Gorham and back up to Berlin.
Eat & Sleep
Northland Restaurant and Dairy Bar, 1826 Riverside Drive, Berlin
A favorite eatery of local residents. Burgers and fries, lobster rolls, daily specials and homemade pies. A NH Grand Certified Best of Business. (603) 752-6210
151 Main Street, Berlin
Located in downtown Berlin. Large breakfast and lunch menu. (603) 752-4419
SAALT Pub, 111 Main Street (Route 16), Gorham
Delightful pub fare, from burgers and fries to international dishes like Vietnamese Beef, Moroccan Chicken Couscous and the Middle Eastern Plate. Supper served Wednesday through Sunday. A NH Grand Certified Best of Business.
Royalty Inn, 130 Main Street, Gorham
A 90-room resort in downtown Gorham, with indoor pool, health and fitness club, game room, laundry facilities, and on-site restaurant.
Town & Country Motor Inn, Route 2, Gorham
A local landmark offering 160 rooms, dining room, lounge, indoor heated pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and game room.
Millsfield Pond
Over 100 miles of great riding await you in Millsfield, on lands owned by Bayroot LLC. Located 15 miles north of Berlin on Route 16 in the towns of Dummer, Millsfield and Errol, the trails ascend to mountaintops with fantastic views, and go clear around the pond on trails and logging roads, for hours of riding pleasure. The Millsfield Pond area is home to remote ponds and streams and plenty of wildlife, so don’t forget your camera!
Eat & Sleep
Log Haven Campground, Restaurant & Lounge, Route 26, Millsfield
Home-cooked meals and daily specials, including burgers, pasta, salads and seafood, and a complete selection of beer, wine and spirits. Open year round.
A Peace of Heaven B&B, 601 US Route 26, Millsfield
Comfortable rooms and a hearty breakfast. Direct access to Ride the Wilds from the front door.
Pittsburg
Forest roads, ATV trails, scenic overlooks, and views of Lake Francis are all part of your ATV experience in Pittsburg, New Hampshire’s northernmost town. Choose from over 120 miles of trails on the gigantic 8,000-acre Perry Stream Land and Timber Company tract, where muddy wallows rub shoulders with graveled roads and woods trails. Bring your pole if you’d like to try a little fishing along Perry Stream or Indian Stream.
Eat & Sleep
At Bear Tree, 118 Glen Road, Pittsburg
The Glen and Bear Tree have eleven Lakeside cabins, a six-guestroom lodge, a four-guestroom Inn and five woodland cabins. No direct trail access.
The Rainbow Grille, 609 Beach Road, Pittsburg
Gourmet fare in New Hampshire’s northernmost town. Listed as the “area’s stand-out dining” by the Boston Globe. A NH Grand Certified Best of Business. Direct trail access.
Murphy’s Steakhouse at Bear Tree, 3329 North Main Street, Pittsburg.
The wide-ranging menu appeals to a variety of tastes. Eat in the dining room or on the patio. A NH Grand Certified Best of Business. No direct trail access.
Buck Rub Pub & Lodge, Route 3, Pittsburg
Burgers, made-to-order pizza, fried chicken, steak tips, and excellent seafood. Wine and beer on tap, a pool table and video games. Buck Rub Lodge offers clean, comfortable efficiency units as well. Direct trail access.
Tall Timber Lodge, 609 Beach Road, Pittsburg
Offering accommodations since 1946. Both cabin and room rentals available. Direct trail access. NH ATV Registrations are sold at the Lodge.
Lopstick Lodge, 45 Stewart Young Road, Pittsburg
A four-season lodging property, with 54 housekeeping cabins. A NH Grand Certified Best of Business for its outdoor adventure packages and Orvis-endorsed outfitter service. Direct trail access from some of the cabins.
Stewartstown, Colebrook, Columbia and Dixville
Over 120 miles of trails are maintained by the Metallak ATV Club. Part of the trail system includes a trail head at Coleman State Park that will take you over Sugar Hill to The Balsams and over the Dixville Peaks and Nathan Pond trail connecting to Greenough Pond Road and The Millsfield Club trail system.
Eat & Sleep
Spa Restaurant, 869 Washington Street, West Stewartstown
A family-friendly restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Well-known for its prime rib and daily specials. Eat in or take-out. Direct trail access.
Ledges Motel, Route 3, Stewartstown
Smoking, non-smoking, and pet-friendly rooms, some with kitchenettes, plus a laundry room onsite and a large parking area! Direct trail access. (603) 246-8988
Moose Muck Coffee House, 25 Parsons Street, Colebrook
Open for breakfast and lunch. All the soups, sandwiches, salads and pastries are freshly made. A NH Grand Certified Best of Business. Direct trail access. (603) 237-4677
Mostly Muffins, 51 Parsons Street, Colebrook
One-hundred varieties of muffins, plus whoopie pies, cinnamon rolls and breakfast sandwiches served on home-made buns. Order from the counter, or at the drive-through. (603) 237-4582
Diamond Peaks Motel & Store, Route 26, Colebrook
Comfortable lodging open year-round, and located about six miles from downtown Colebrook. The store carries a large variety of convenience items and essentials. Try the breakfast sandwiches and pizzas made fresh daily. Direct trail access.
Parsons Street, Route 26,Colebrook
Luxury suites designed for a lodging experience that is inviting, warm and memorable. Also features a fine dining restaurant with outstanding cuisine and wonderful wines.
The Keazer Farm Bed & Breakfast, 11 Harvey Swell Road, Colebrook
Four cozy rooms in the 1840s inn that is situated on 400 acres of woods and fields. Includes a full country breakfast with the inn’s own eggs and maple syrup. Direct trail access.
The Northern Comfort Motel, 1 Scott Phillips Highway, Colebrook
Triple AAA rated. Nineteen rooms paneled with tongue and groove pine, heated outdoor pool, basketball court.
Notch View Resort Inn and Campground, 54 Forbes Hill Road, Colebrook
A bed and breakfast inn and campground located on 34 acres of a former dairy farm; offers OHRV rentals. Direct trail access.
Colebrook Country Club, 15 Abenaki Lane (off Route 26), Colebrook
Family owned and operated, with direct access to the Ride the Wilds ATV trail system. Eighteen ground-floor rooms in the motel, and a cocktail lounge open every afternoon and evening.
Stratford
You’ll find the longest lineal ATV trail system in New England in Stratford, where there are more than 120 miles of trails that crisscross about 30,000 acres of private land. These trails will take you through wide sweeps of undeveloped land that encompass the mountains, bogs, pastures and vistas of New Hampshire’s Grand North.
Eat & Sleep
Trailside Lodge, 382 Percy Road, North Stratford
Stay in the main lodge or in one of the cabins. Direct access to the ATV trail system.
Big Rock Campground and Cabins, Route 3, North Stratford
A full-service, family campground. Offers a variety of campsites for both tenting and RVing as well as cabins. Direct trail access.
Blueberry Hill Inn, Café and Campground, 484 Route 3, Stratford
A variety of accommodations in the inn, a cabin, and the campground. The full breakfast includes blueberry specials from blueberries picked on the inn property. Direct access to the ATV trails, and a heated garage for your ATV!
Connolly Cabins & Campground, 16 Martha’s Way, Stratford
The ATV trails runs right through this property. Two-bedroom year-round cabins, rustic cabins, tent sites and a campground for rigs and RVs.
Success & Milan
A three-mile city trail connects Jericho Mountain State Park in Berlin to the trails in Success, where you’ll discover 25 miles of excellent trail riding. A connector trail comes in from Maine at Success.
Eat & Sleep
Milan Village Deli and General Store, 727 Main Street, Milan
Pizza, made-to-order sandwiches, deli meats and cheeses, locally grown fruits and veggies, and lots of convenience items. (603) 449-3322
Mahoosuc Inn, 877 Milan Road, Route 16, Milan
A pet-friendly bed and breakfast with six rooms.
DuBee Our Guest Bed and Breakfast, 2 Bridge Street, Milan
Five comfortable rooms, and a delicious family-style breakfast.
Errol
The Umbagog ATV Club maintains 42 miles of trails on Bayroot LLC lands in Errol, north of Route 26.
Eat & Sleep
150 Main Street Lodging on the Androscoggin, 150 Main Street, Errol
A nine-room guest house. Fall asleep to the sounds of the river rushing by.
Errol Motel & Housekeeping Units, Route 26, Errol
Find recently remodeled rooms and pet-friendly lodging at the Errol Motel.
More Fine Riding
The Kilkenny Trail Riders of Lancaster, the Presidential ATV Club of Gorham, and the Androscoggin ATV Club of Berlin maintain many additional miles of trails.
BONUS: Many North Country towns have opened some roads and streets to accommodate ATVs to access area businesses and to connect trails. Look for the signs and please obey the speed limit.
Save the date: Jericho ATV Festival
It’s not too early to make plans for this year’s Jericho ATV Festival Presented by Progressive, with exhilarating ATV riding, mud races, poker run, freestyle shows, helicopter rides, music, food vendors, and displays. Demo the new ATV’s and SxS’s from major manufacturers. Downtown Block Party & Torchlight ATV Parade. Mark your calendar for August 4 & 5, 2017!
About ATV Clubs
ATV clubs in Coös County help maintain the trails, plan events and provide information on ATVing opportunities throughout the region. All welcome new members. Dues support trail maintenance and building projects.
Many of the region’s ATV clubs plan weekend events like Poker Runs or ride-ins throughout the riding season. Click on Ride the Wilds button on the New Hampshire Grand homepage at www.nhgrand.com or on the links, below, for up-to-date information on parking, trail conditions and special events.
The state maintains information about ATV trails in Coös County, including a NH Bureau of Trails downloadable map. http://nhstateparks.org/experience/atving/trail-information.aspx
Androscoggin Valley ATV Club
PO Box 534, Berlin, NH 03570
www.avatvclub.org
[email protected]
Great North Woods Riders ATV Club
PO Box 218, Pittsburg, NH 03592
www.greatnorthwoodsatv.org
[email protected]
The Kilkenny Trail Riders ATV Club
PO Box 64, Lancaster, NH 03584
www.kilkennytrailriders.com
Metallak ATV Club
PO Box 318
Colebrook, NH 03576
www.metallakatvclub.com
Millsfield ATV Club
16 Chasebrook Circle, Litchfield, NH 03052
www.millsfieldatv.com
[email protected]
North Country ATV Club
PO Box 161, North Stratford, NH 03590
www.northcountryatv.com
[email protected]
Presidential OHRV Club
PO Box 152
Gorham, NH 03581
www.presidentialohrvclub.com
Umbagog ATV Club
PO Box 71, Errol, NH 03579
[email protected]
Rentals & Guided Tours
You don’t have to own a rig to enjoy the sport of ATVing. These businesses can provide a complete package for a day of riding enjoyment, including an ATV, instructions and all the safety equipment required. Drive yourself or enjoy a guided tour.
Absolute PowerSports (rentals, sales and service)
461 Main Street, Gorham, NH 03581
www.absolutepowersportsnh.com
Bear Rock Adventures (rentals & tours)
545 Beach Road, Pittsburg, NH 03592
www.bearrockadventures.com
Dalton Mountain Motorsports (sales & service)
475 Lancaster Road, Lancaster, NH 03584 www.daltonmountainmotorsports.com
Jericho Outdoors (rentals, tours, sales and service)
232 Jericho Road, Berlin, NH 03570
www.jerichooutdoors.net
Moose Poop ATV Tours
Muzzy Hill Road, Milan, NH 03848
http://www.moosepooptours.com/contact.htm
White Mountain ATV Rentals (rentals & tours)
299 Main Street, Gorham
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2017 Ski, Shoe & Fatbike to the Clouds – Stand-Out Event at Great Glen Trails
2017 Ski, Shoe & Fatbike to the Clouds — North America’s Toughest 10K Proved To Be This Winter’s Stand-Out Event
Pinkham Notch, NH–Since the Mt. Washington Auto Road first opened in 1861, it has been a proving ground for all types of adventurers. Throughout the years, many have secured their place in the history of the Auto Road, be it with a fastest time, or a landmark ascent.
History was made again with the 2017 Ski, Shoe & Fatbike to the Clouds. Held in cold, blue-sky conditions on March 5, it marked the first time that fatbikers have joined this annual winter event. First held in 1996 as Ski to the Clouds, it quickly proved to be a new and unique challenge for Nordic skiers, and at that time was held entirely on the Auto Road. In later years it was modified to increase the race distance to 10 kilometers, utilizing the Great Glen Trails Nordic system for the first four kilometers, before beginning the steep ascent up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. The race finishes just before the halfway point of the Auto Road at about 3,800 feet.
In 2013, a separate snowshoe category was added to entice snowshoe racers to take up the challenge, and was so successful that in 2014 the event was renamed as Ski & Shoe to the Clouds. In 2016, a new fatbike category was added, which quickly became the largest group of racers, but was sadly cancelled due to lack of snow.
Mother Nature was kind to us this year, and the 2017 event was attended by 120 racers in three disciplines–18 Nordic skiers, 33 snowshoers, and 69 fatbikers. Whether on skis, snowshoes or fatbikes, the race lived up to its reputation as North America’s Toughest 10K, testing the racers as only Mount Washington can.
The fastest time was posted by veteran racer Tristan Williams, with a blazing time of just 48 minutes 37 seconds, winning the men’s Nordic division. Tristan was closely followed by fatbiker Jeremiah Macrae-Hawkins, winning the men’s fatbike division with a time of 50 minutes 37 seconds–the second fastest time on course. Kudos to all the racers who battled the Mountain and finished, but particularly to the winners of each division:
- Men’s Nordic Tristan Williams 48:37
- Women’s Nordi Meredith Pietrow 1:01:42
- Men’s Snowshoe Andrew Drummond 51:49
- Women’s Snowshoe Hilary McCloy 1:05:56
- Men’s Fatbike Jeremiah Macrae-Hawkins 50:37
- Women’s Fatbike Renee Bousquet 1:12:26
A heartfelt “thank you” goes out to all the event sponsors, who have helped make this annual event such a success. For 2017, those sponsors included Dion Snowshoes, Stan & Dan Sports, Polartec, Littleton Chevrolet, Hannaford, and the Old Village Bakery.
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The family-owned Mount Washington Summit Road Company was formed in 1859, and completed the road to the summit of Mount Washington in 1861. The Mt. Washington Carriage Road, now called the Mt. Washington Auto Road, has the long-held distinction of being America’s oldest man-made attraction. Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, opened in 1984, is one of New Hampshire’s premier Nordic ski areas, with 45 kilometers of trails for skiing, snowshoeing and fatbiking. During the summer months, the Outdoor Center focuses on human-powered outdoor activities including kayaking, biking, hiking and trail running.