A New and Different Ride!!!
I developed this ride idea last year and I’ve been waiting for a dry spell ever since, as there were two short muddy but doable sections. First we’ll ride the rail bed of the Gale River Lumber Company which now is a little known rail trail that parallels Trudeau Road in the National Forest in Bethlehem. Then we’ll head farther into the National Forest on a loop trail that leads to Route 3 at Five Corners. Across Route 3 is the Gale River Loop Road an active forest service road which will lead us back to Route 3 and from there to the rail trail and our cars at Pierce Bridge.
So put them together and what do you get? A13 mile route which goes through the forest, along a portion of the Gale River and by scenic beaver ponds with great mountain vistas and river views. Not a bad combo eh? The surfaces vary from dirt to grass with some sections of gravel. This ride is not for novices but it is on the "harder side of easy" mostly due to the uphill portion of the forest loop. The uphill is worth it though, as the next couple of miles are really fun.
The forecast is for temps in the mid 80s. It should be cooler in the woods. We will start the ride at 9:30 am. Please let me know if you plan to meet the group at the trailhead. Bring lunch, bug spray, sunscreen and an extra pair of shoes just incase you do get wet feet.
Carpooling - Meet at 8:45 am at the western most section of the Attitash parking lot across the street from the lift.
Directions - Take route 302 to Twin Mountain. Continue 5 miles north of the intersection of routes 302 and 3. Just past The Wayside Inn and the now defunct Pierce Bridge (on the left) is Muchmore Road. Go left and follow Muchmore Road for 0.1 mi as it bends around to the south. When the road pavement ends hook a U turn to park on the opposite shoulder by the old and closed bridge over the Ammonoosuc River. Park just south of the yellow fire hydrant.
I developed this ride idea last year and I’ve been waiting for a dry spell ever since, as there were two short muddy but doable sections. First we’ll ride the rail bed of the Gale River Lumber Company which now is a little known rail trail that parallels Trudeau Road in the National Forest in Bethlehem. Then we’ll head farther into the National Forest on a loop trail that leads to Route 3 at Five Corners. Across Route 3 is the Gale River Loop Road an active forest service road which will lead us back to Route 3 and from there to the rail trail and our cars at Pierce Bridge.
So put them together and what do you get? A13 mile route which goes through the forest, along a portion of the Gale River and by scenic beaver ponds with great mountain vistas and river views. Not a bad combo eh? The surfaces vary from dirt to grass with some sections of gravel. This ride is not for novices but it is on the "harder side of easy" mostly due to the uphill portion of the forest loop. The uphill is worth it though, as the next couple of miles are really fun.
The forecast is for temps in the mid 80s. It should be cooler in the woods. We will start the ride at 9:30 am. Please let me know if you plan to meet the group at the trailhead. Bring lunch, bug spray, sunscreen and an extra pair of shoes just incase you do get wet feet.
Carpooling - Meet at 8:45 am at the western most section of the Attitash parking lot across the street from the lift.
Directions - Take route 302 to Twin Mountain. Continue 5 miles north of the intersection of routes 302 and 3. Just past The Wayside Inn and the now defunct Pierce Bridge (on the left) is Muchmore Road. Go left and follow Muchmore Road for 0.1 mi as it bends around to the south. When the road pavement ends hook a U turn to park on the opposite shoulder by the old and closed bridge over the Ammonoosuc River. Park just south of the yellow fire hydrant.
