I have found that PT boards can be slightly brittle, plus they are planed so they are 1 5/8" thick instead of the full 2". You have to go down the backside of the river towards the Treatment Plant, and the parking may be along the side of the dirt road. Next day we drove to lower parking area and biked up to where we had ended previous day then back. and Kathy was more nervous than they were. We did it again this past weekend with our horses. The areas surrounding the peaks are a different story; weather off the peaks is pleasant in summer, and the trail provides stellar views of the range. Nevertheless it was a great find! I would suggest the paved Trail Parking lot right on Rt 2 3/4 mile west of the lights in Gorham, or the NF parking next to Rt 2 and 1 mile west of Lowes Store in Randolph. At the bottom of the grade (remember, this is a RR grade, which is usually 2- 3 % max grade), you pass the home to 80 mushing dogs that will all join in their chorus. Biking would be fun. Then, another mile further out the rail bed, the trail runs through a swamp section, with beaver lodges on both sides. In the hour and a half we were out we each got bit a dozen times and swatted away hundreds. We would reccommend that the decking be 2 or even 3" thick to handle any point loads. To reach the eastern endpoint in Gorham from I-93, take Exit 40, and turn right (east) on US 302. The trail then crosses several small brooks, starting with Stanley Slide Brook in 1.8 miles. In others you encounter deep sand that will stop you cold. We followed the Traillink directions and parked at the lot off of Airport Rd, in Whitefield and rode our mountain bikes east. Turn right onto US 2, go 11.6 miles, and a parking lot will appear to the left with signs for the Presidential Rail Trail. My only complaint is that we had to pick a non-traditional place to park (intersection of 115/115B off the side of the road) because most of the public parking areas are not large enough or set up well enough to bring in and turn around a huge horse trailer, especially during the busy times. Ask permission. In 0.5 mile, continue onto Airport Road. Thank You!! Great trail. short rough stretches but looks like maintenance has been done is some problem areas where beavers have been busy building dams. It is set up for snowmachines with a 'reinforced' center strip of new boards, with 5' high sides. With a long snowy season, generally running between mid-December and early April, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy its spectacular views on … It was a blue sky day, and the mountains were perfectly clear and sharp. The trail crosses SR 115A in 0.6 mile, then 0.1 mile after that is Mill Brook, and 0.2 mile after that is Red Brook. You cross the roads up to Cherry Mountain and to Jefferson Notch. The trail parallels the Presidential Range in the White Mountains. In 11.1 miles turn left onto US 3. There are few good swimming holes along the trail also. There is much to see along this section with beaver ponds and marsh land. There are many birding and sightseeing opportunities around the Cherry Pond area. Your donation will help us to continue connecting more people to trails around the country. Visit the post for more. But you can see them in all their majesty. Its 18-mile length runs from Gorham in the east to Cherry Pond in the west, and is currently administered by the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation. This trail starts from the parking area off Airport Road, in Whitefield. A sign there indicated that Gorham was another 10 miles further. Be careful where you park your horse trailers. There are a few. This week it was quiet, so we started from the Gorham side. The spring is rocked up with an old building foundation around it. It was a bit more difficult than expected to find the trail start from the parking lot west of Gorham, where we were confused by a different signed bike trail which crosses the main road. I wonder how the water ran into the building over by the tracks. In 11.1 miles turn left onto US 3. If you plan a long trip take whatever you need because there are long stretches without crossing roads or seeing other people. Other than that, the trail is in good condition. 115 the barking dogs you hear are sled dogs in the large barnyard of the house next to the trail. Presidential Rail Trail, Jefferson, NH, headed east towards the Presidential Range (October 22, 2017) 3. The answers will affect your popularity for better or worse, both nationally and in individual states. One tree across the Presidential Rail Trail to the west of the junction with the Slide Brook Trail. (If you start at Airport Rd, you can add 2 miles to the 18 that Traillink states as the length of the trail.) For a nice ride and best trail conditions begin in Gorham and ride to Jefferson Notch Road. Friends of the Presidential Rail Trail has 696 members. The Androscoggin, which flows from Lake Umbagog to the Gulf of Maine, powered the primary industry of the region – … The trail is, except for the first mile, completely isolated from roads. Friends of the Presidential Rail Trail. The trail is well maintained and has a solid base for most of the way. , our horse Theatric stepped through a bad board and fortunately did not hurt himself is. Western trailhead on Airport Road, in Whitefield from I-93, take Exit 40, and R2T. The west end of the large barnyard of the trail from Gorham west to Randolph of trail. Some construction with heavy machinery and a bit rougher in spots 3 years on horses! Recommend this trail from the pictures, we had time constraints and turned around a of. 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