Trailheads to the new trails

[percypeaks]

To reach the new trails open on the Cohos Trail in Pittsburg here are a list of trailheads and how to reach them.

Moose Alley Trail, south
Travel Route 3 north through Pittsburg and Happy Corner to the Magalloway Road on the right. Drive down the road a mile to the Magalloway bridge. Turn of the road just before the bridge at a parking spot. Park there.

This spot gives you access to two trails just behind the parking area. The trail on the northeast side of the road (on the left as you drive down the lane) is the new Moose Alley Trail. The one on the right immediately across the road from the other is the Camp Otter Trail. You may walk it now about a mile to a 300 foot bog bridge string ina spruce bog, but the trail is not formally open.

Moose Alley Trail, north, & Falls in the River Trail, south
Travel north on Route 3 beyond the Magalloway Road a little less than two miles to the vicinity of Big Brook bridge on the highway. About 500 feet before the bridge look on the right side of the road for a large new sign with raise yellow letters. That's the Moose Alley Trail northern trailhead. Motor over the bridge to a pullout and park on the right. There is plenty of space to park. Walk south on Route 3 to the trailhead, which is now on your left.

This trail shortly accesses the spur on the left down to Big Brook and the southern end of the Falls in the River Trail. Right this second, you must ford the brook (take the shoes off). But very soon we will have a bridge installed so you may stay dry walking over Big Brook.

Falls in the River Trail, north, & Idlewilde Spur Trail
Continue north on Route 3 in Pittsburg and reach the parking pullout on the right at Second Connecticut Lake Dam. The Falls in the River Trail is fronted by a large new sign. This trail is 100 percent open all the way to Big Brook.

At the other end of the grassy area where the parking lot sits is another large new sign near a TransCanada sign kiosk. That is the entrance to the Idlewilde Spur Trail. Hike a minute out to the point at Second Lake for an immediate view of Stub Hill (3,600-plus feet) and Rump Mountain (nearly 3,700 feet). That trail runs out to the access road to a boat launch ramp and parking area on Second Connecticut Lake. This trail will be the start of a much longer trail, the Idlewilde Trail that is not cut yet.

The Mount Propect Trail
The last mile of this trail is being developed now and it will be open very soon.

To reach this trail, travel to Happy Corner on Route 3 and look for Danforth Road on the left. Drive up Danforth to its very end, just before it ends at a home. Turn left up a very steep pitch and drive a quarter mile uphill (stay right) to a homestead at the end and top of the drive. This is the northern headquarters of the Cohos Trail Association. Park there. This is the southern trailhead of the Mt. Prospect Trail.

The northern trailhead will be at Ramblewood Cabins and Campground on the Golden Eagle Road just off West Bay in First Connecticut Lake. The Golden Eagle Road is on the left off Route across from the bay. Travel one mile uphill the very end to a parking lot right in the Ramblewood compound.

Happy hiking.

--percy peaks

[Rocktail78]

Hi-

My husband and I are looking for a good day hike in Pittsburg this weekend. How long will these hikes take? We were in the area a couple of years ago and hiked the trail that goes in and out of Canada (where the CT river is born) and want something like that...maybe a little more strenuous???

Any suggestions? Where can I find more information on the Mt. Magalloway hike?

Thank you in advance for any advice!

[flatlander]

I was on the Magalloway trail on Memorial Day weekend. I posted conditions under "Trail Updates" on this forum. The actual hike up is short compared to the 8-mile dirt-road drive to the trailhead, but the views from the fire tower are great. Round trip took me an hour & a half at a casual pace.

My limited experience on the Pittsburg section of the CT is that anything is strenuous with a full pack ...! For a dayhike, how about parking at Young's Store and going up Danforth Road & over Prospect Mountain? You'll wind up back on Rt. 3 where you can walk back to your car. Danforth Rd. is a nice gentle climb until the turn uphill towards the Mountain Bungalow. Then you'll get your workout, and you'll love the view from Prospect Mountain. That one would take a few hours for the full loop over Prospect Mountain, but could be shortened by just going to the summit & then retracing your steps back. (Hey, Ridgerunner & Mtn. Goat: what would you guess on time for someone less athletically challenged than me?)

Wherever you go, enjoy it!

[Rocktail78]

Thank you!

I think I will try that hike that begins at the store. I am not in the greatest shape. When a guidebook says a hike takes 3 hours, it usually takes me 5.

Thank you for the advice.

[percy peaks]

Here are some of the hiking distances and times on the new trails that are just now opening in the Pittsburg area.

The Moose Alley Trail, a pleasant walk in the woods, is about two miles in length and is an easy hike throughout its entire length. A round trip on the trail should take no more than two hours at a steady be leisurely pace.

The Falls in the River Trail is a bit longer than the Moose Alley Trail. It is also an easy hike along its entire length with the exception of one or two very short uphill stretches that are not taxing on body and soul. The Falls in the River trail features a number of wonderful vistas, a roaring falls and flume, and a walk high above the wild Connecticut River. Give yourself three hours round trip on that trail, because you will want to spend some time at the falls.

The Idlewilde Spur Trail is very short and you can reach the point with the vista in a minute or two. This spur is to be part of a much longer trail that is not cut yet.

The Mt. Prospect Trail's southern end is now open to the dramatic summit vista. That is a 20 minute hike up. It is a moderately steep climb much of the way.

Within about three or four weeks we will open two other trails in the region will be fully complete. The Mt. Prospect Trail will soon continue northeast more than a mile from the summit to Ramblewood Cabins and Campground. The Round Pond Brook Trail is being cut now and should be open in a few weeks. It is about two miles long and it descends from Round Pond to Route 3 very gradually. It will really be an easy hike with only very moderate grades along the way.

Keep checking in with the website, or write to get included on the webmail list so we may send you the Cohos Trekker with its trail updates so you can keep up to date on the trails as they open.

--percy peaks