Gorham Section of the Cross NH Adventure Trail

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Looks like a good day to head out on the trail!

Lets check out a section of the new Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail. This section starts in Gorham on the Presidential Rail Trail, goes east over the Androscoggin River and Route 16 on a high bridge, travels onto the power island past the power station, The route turns right onto Hogan Road, a dirt road that travels along the north side of the Androscoggin River all the way to its intersection with North Road. You will recognize this area...you have parked here for riding North Road to Bethel! We will see 2 dams...Joan..you would call this the Dam Dam Route.

The conditions are variable...the start of the route is a ballast surface that has some whoop-de-dos created by the ATVs that share this section of trail. I don't get snappy about the ATVs, ---their fees "maintain" the trail. The Hogan Road section can have sandy spots and stoney wash out areas. It has some very short ups and downs, and can have some puddling that we will avoid.  When choosing the best bike for this ride, I would opt for a more mountain bike-like option because I am not sure of the surface conditions in this early season.

If we all have to walk our bikes at least once then we will have accomplished the "Adventure" part of this Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail.

Part of this ride is to establish places where I will be posting some directional signs. I would also like to get a few photos of happy (I hope!) cyclists enjoying the route to post on the website (www.crossnewhampshire.org).

On the way back we can stop for ice cream at Mr. Pizza in Gorham.

Start point: Parking area next to the train across form the park at the corner of Route 16 and Route 2 in Gorham. Take Route 16 north. BEFORE you get to the intersection with Route 2 you will cross a set of railroad tracks. Turn left after the railroad tracks into the parking area and park facing the train. We will ride from here to Route 16 and then take the emergency access back road, an off-road route, to access the rail trail.

Time: Ready to ride at 10:00 am

Milelage: about 20

Map:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27442714

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