25 replies to this topic

[Baron62]

Since I can't ride now with no open trails, I'm planning rides for when I come up in the beginning of February. I was hoping some of you local experts could point me in the direction of the best trails, loops, lookouts and other mountain views. And if you know of good places to eat that would be great too. I'm riding with my wife so I'm looking for the scenic tours (<100 miles) with places to stop and eat along the way. Here is a few trail rides I was thinking:

The Notches Ride- Head out on 12 West along the presidential mountain range and connect with 11 South through Jefferson Notch past Mount Washington Hotel and continue South on 11 until we get to see Franconia Notch. I'm thinking we would have to turn around from there because if we try to doo the whole loop down near Winni and back up 19 that would be much more the 100 miles. I prefer not back tracking but may need to do some.

The Jericho loop- Take 19 North and head up to the park and check out the new warming hut so we can throw a log on the fire of the woodstove and checkout those great views I saw on this website. After the warm up, head down 11 until it connects with 12, then head back towards Gorham.

Potential lookout points along the way- Pine Mountain near Gorham, Cherry Peak near Twin (I remember this one not being groomed last time so it may too much for my wife (and me)), and Mount Forist near Berlin.

Let me know what you guys think about these rides and any suggestions (especially where there are favorite food stops). Thanks for the help and Merry Christmas!

Phil

[Rock On]

Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on it but here are a few more scenic look outs. Mt.Forest look out in Belrin (over looks the city). Lead Mine trail in Gorham off cor. 12. (over looks Gorham) Nice local rides in the area. You could do the Berlin warming hut, Mt. Forest, Pine mt. and Lead Mine look out in a day easily and never leave the Berlin-Gorham area. There are a bunch of places to eat in the area, in Gorham I would suggest Mr.Pizza or J's Corner both very supportive of the local club. This year the sidewalk all the way through Gorham is open for snowmobilers as well.

Edited by Rock On, 25 December 2011 - 07:01 PM.

[Baron62]

Sidewalk open all the way through Gorham is good to know. If there's snow, that makes business access much easier. I'll have to try the lead mine trail.

[ljgomes]

WMRR just opened a new view trail called Bickford Hill Lookout that looks out the Pontook Reservoir and the Phillips Brook Valley. Take Cor. 19 north of Milan, after you cross Rt. 110A, take a left on Alt. 19 and the new junction is just before you reach PT.117. Coming from the north, take PT117 and look for the sign at the junction of Alt.19 and PT117.

There will be two maps available at Ride-In headquarters. One will show the locations of all gas stations in Coos County and the other will have all of the good view spots in the area and the one-way distances from Ride-In headquarters to each of those view spots.

[Baron62]

ljgomes, on 25 December 2011 - 11:55 PM, said:

WMRR just opened a new view trail called Bickford Hill Lookout that looks out the Pontook Reservoir and the Phillips Brook Valley. Take Cor. 19 north of Milan, after you cross Rt. 110A, take a left on Alt. 19 and the new junction is just before you reach PT.117. Coming from the north, take PT117 and look for the sign at the junction of Alt.19 and PT117.

There will be two maps available at Ride-In headquarters. One will show the locations of all gas stations in Coos County and the other will have all of the good view spots in the area and the one-way distances from Ride-In headquarters to each of those view spots.

Thanks ljgomes. I found Bickford Hill on my map and will try to include that overlook in our tour. I'll be sure to pick up a fresh WMRR trail map. Roughly five years ago I rode this area on a round trip down from Pittsburg and stopped at Faybians for lunch. On that trip we really didn't explore too much. I really look forward to getting to know the white mountain area. If we get some snow, I may even make a pre ride-in trip to scout out the area.

[RayC]

Baron62, on 25 December 2011 - 05:12 PM, said:

Since I can't ride now with no open trails, I'm planning rides for when I come up in the beginning of February. I was hoping some of you local experts could point me in the direction of the best trails, loops, lookouts and other mountain views. And if you know of good places to eat that would be great too. I'm riding with my wife so I'm looking for the scenic tours (<100 miles) with places to stop and eat along the way. Here is a few trail rides I was thinking:

The Notches Ride- Head out on 12 West along the presidential mountain range and connect with 11 South through Jefferson Notch past Mount Washington Hotel and continue South on 11 until we get to see Franconia Notch. I'm thinking we would have to turn around from there because if we try to doo the whole loop down near Winni and back up 19 that would be much more the 100 miles. I prefer not back tracking but may need to do some.

The Jericho loop- Take 19 North and head up to the park and check out the new warming hut so we can throw a log on the fire of the woodstove and checkout those great views I saw on this website. After the warm up, head down 11 until it connects with 12, then head back towards Gorham.

Potential lookout points along the way- Pine Mountain near Gorham, Cherry Peak near Twin (I remember this one not being groomed last time so it may too much for my wife (and me)), and Mount Forist near Berlin.

Let me know what you guys think about these rides and any suggestions (especially where there are favorite food stops). Thanks for the help and Merry Christmas!

Phil

SOON ,Very soon...... we need snow

Edited by RayC, 24 January 2012 - 07:43 PM.

[hammerhead71]

How are the trails holding up I am tempted to cancel

[RayC]

hammerhead71, on 24 January 2012 - 05:46 PM, said:

How are the trails holding up I am tempted to cancel

This LAST trail UPDATE does not look so good In a few days it better SNOW.I would hate to cancel.

(January 24, 2012 UpdateSnowmobile Trail Conditions/Gorham area- 60% open. no new snow on a 0-2” base. Trails are groomed and riding is marginal)

[stinx]

we just cancled, not worth the risk. looks like we may head to quebec.

[BigGuyNH]

I just cancelled,

Not worth waiting for.

Season has just not been that good.

[RayC]

Looking BETTER........
WeatherView all

• Fri
• 33° | 14°
• 
  Sat
  37° | 14°
• 
  Sun
  35° | 12°

[Rock On]

NOAA is saying we are looking at 6-10 inches up here in Gorham for tonight and tommorow. Even if we only get 6" we will be back in the grooming business. We had a decent base before the rain and we did not loose it all. Hang in there a couple more days and we will have a better idea on how things are looking for Easter Seals Weekend.

[Rock On]

Ok NOAA/NWS changed thier forcast already now the are saying 3-5" of snow and upto 1/4" of ice.
Who the hell knows. The weather guessers don't! I will let you know how much snow, ice, rain or whatever after it is done.

[polarisss]

Rock On, on 26 January 2012 - 09:41 AM, said:

Ok NOAA/NWS changed thier forcast already now the are saying 3-5" of snow and upto 1/4" of ice.
Who the hell knows. The weather guessers don't! I will let you know how much snow, ice, rain or whatever after it is done.

Would really like to know if you got all rain up there and how the trails REALLY are. We are scheduled to go the Easter Seal Ride-In also. I called the Town and Country and they said people are riding there. That is not really what I am hearing on this site.....today is last day to cancel with no penalty. Does anyone know?????

[Rock On]

polarisss, on 27 January 2012 - 05:32 PM, said:

Would really like to know if you got all rain up there and how the trails REALLY are. We are scheduled to go the Easter Seal Ride-In also. I called the Town and Country and they said people are riding there. That is not really what I am hearing on this site.....today is last day to cancel with no penalty. Does anyone know?????

There is riding here in Gorham I am not saying it is the best but you can ride. We got between 2-4 inches of snow/ice pellets today that will help out. It is currently 33 degrees and getting some drizzle. I wish I could say that it would be fine for Easter Seals weekend but I just can't. Come on up any way and support the Ride In check out the comedy shows and entertainment that is planned if you can ride some great if not at least you get a weekend away from home. Check back later in the week for a better report.

[ljgomes]

For those who have reserved hotel rooms to attend the Easter Seals Ride-In, I have some great news. You will be able to ride from the T&C north into Berlin, Groveton, Millsfield, Success and Errol and based on a tour I did of that area today, you will have some good riding. Heading west towards Jefferson and Lancaster there is very little snow, but if you take Cor. 19 north, you will be fine. The first area of riding you will encounter is Jericho Mt. State Park in Berlin. All of the logging roads in the park are in great shape and if you want to do some off trail riding, you can take the ungroomed ATV trails. There are some great views in the park and also you can visit new WMRR warming hut. Heading to the NW you can access the Groveton Trail system via PT109. Groveton has their main logging roads groomed nicely and hopefully they will get to work around the Stratford Bog area this week providing more loops in that area. Heading North on Cor. 19 you will pass thru Milan and enter the Phillips Brook Valley. Home to the new windtowers and also home miles of logging roads in the Millsfield area. All of these trails are in great shape and well worth the trip north. From Milan center you can head northeast on PT114 and ride the logging roads in the Success area. All of these trails are also in great shape and have some nice views along the NH/Maine border. All of the clubs in this area will be working hard this week to get the trails the best they can be for the Ride-In crowd. With the heavy wet snow we received from the last storm, I am confident you will not be disappointed.

[hammerhead71]

YAHOO, thank you for the great news. I have been getting depressed about it for a while and you have made my week. Lisa and I will see everyone there on Friday morning.

[RayC]

yep

[Baron62]

Thanks for the update I look forward to exploring Jericho Mt. State Park and the new warming hut. Can you tell me if the trails are good out of Lowe's parking lot? If I headed North from there what trail would have better cover 11 or 19? Thanks

[Rock On]

Just got done grooming cor 19 and 19a (moose Brook Trail) and they are both in pretty nice shape for the amount of snow we have. I would suggest parking at the route 2. parking lot and going north from there or leave from Lowes and take cor. 12 rail trail towards Gorham and then head north on cor. 19 The snow is very thin on the Lowes side.