I WANT TO GO BACKCOUNTRY SKIING SO BAD!!!! But that isn't what this post is about. Rather, it's a description and feelings dump of the Halls Ledge and Hutmen Trail loop.
Due to more rainy days than the extended forecast expressed, I chose the Hall's and Hutmen loop for Liz and I. Arguably, the best decision we made today was deciding to go up the Hall's Ledge Trail. After our short road walk from the North Rocky Branch Trail, we crossed a high guardrail to the secluded entrance of Hall's Ledge Trail.
The early part of the trail is loaded with sharp raspberry bushes and overgrowth, before ducking into clearly untouched woods. As we approached the climb, there appeared to be more bear scat than walked-over leaves. The trail's light use left the trail looking far nearer to fall than reality suggested. The leaves hadn't been touched and they sure made their presence known climbing the steep knoll below Hall's Ledge.
Liz and I marveled at the trail, especially at how much easier it would've been with a switchback or two. Nonetheless, it is the Northeast, and turning WMNF trails into mountain biking trails is probably not wise. To get up this section, we took slow but strong steps, keeping the poles wide for additional points of contact while ascending the 55% grades over dirt. Frankly, I was amazed the dirt stayed in place through this section, but the lack of use is probably a tremendous help.
After we gained 800 feet in 0.4 miles over dirt and leaves, the trail grades thankfully eased for the rest of our climb. Past the low forest terrain on the side hill, we ran a gorgeous ridge rich in moss and crisp-smelling air. Through here, there were consistently yellow-painted blazes. However, leading up to this we passed painted can lids, yellow tape, orange blazes, and horizontally painted yellow blazes all marking the same trail.
Eventually, the Hall's Ledge climb landed us at a picnic table with slightly overgrown views of Wildcat Mountain. We stopped here for a much-needed break and snack, then continued onto the Prospect Farm Land.
This historic farm, shared with Jackson Ski Touring, had wide trails to accommodate the snowcat in the wintertime. These trails are better suited for wintertime on account of high grass, ferns, and thorns. We were delighted to have a nice view from the HOL on Hall's Ledge Trail, even signed with a locator map. Though many of the peaks were cloudy today, it was fascinating to look directly at where rain was falling in the distance.
As we closed in on Carter Notch Road, I wished it was wintertime because I was let in on the secret of how stunning these trails are. Even going uphill I mocked the stride of my skin slide to pretend a little bit. I backcountry ski in the way that normal people Nordic ski, I'm in it for the ride, not the thrill of a death gully. Further along the ski trails/road, just before the "trailhead", we saw a cellar hole and read a little bit about the Farm's glory days at the kiosk sign. Though operational hundreds of years ago, some trail names still reflect the legacy, and apple trees still stand on the Orchard Trail!
Walking down Carter Notch Road was faster than I'd envisioned yet Hutmen's Trail was far slower. When we came to Hutmen's Trail, we climbed a light incline up a wide path. Early on, we walked by a burnt-down home and a padlocked camper, which appeared occupied and abandoned at the same time. Just past this residency, I made a lengthy wrong turn at the fork of a herd path and overgrown trail, where the nice herd path was sadly the wrong way. I would love to know why this unknown trail exists, especially as it was in better shape than anything we'd done all day.
The overgrown trail was full of thorns and wet plants, which were delightful on my bare legs. We followed fresh moose tracks and animal evidence for a long time but unfortunately never saw any friends. Eventually, we took a left onto FR512 which is also a ski trail; what it did not feel like though, was a hiking trail. Here I pondered the existence of Hall's Ledge and Hutmen Trail as they resembled the meandering of a long-distance trail over snowmobile trails, ski routes, and fire roads that were strewn together for travel rather than pleasure. I can better understand trails like these while stringing together Cohos trail sections, but I couldn't seem to pinpoint a purpose here.
Unfortunately, we once again shifted roads, this one far higher which was complimented by the rapid uptick in rainfall as a massive system moved over the mountains. I couldn't take any photos through here as my phone was too wet, but we sure did miss the canopy that we had yesterday in the Mahoosucs.
At the Dana Place XC Trail intersection, we ducked back onto a more traditional trail that had two major blowdowns. I don't recall many markers through here, however there were trail signs when necessary. This part of the trail was probably more pleasant than what I experienced, but my sudden drenching certainly dulled my motivation. As we got closer to the aggressive sound of J brakes, the trail just about disappeared in front of me. Despite again being dirt and leaves, the trail was stable but I was cautious since it was steep ankle-rolling territory closing in on Route 16.
Our mile-and-change road walk on Route 16 wasn't totally exciting, but we did have more room than expected to hop off for downhill trucks and campers. We caught a few more passing showers before the car, then gratefully changed into dry clothes at Pinkham Notch before reaching Yaya's at last for a rewarding sandwich.
In reflection, I feel like these trails could've used a little bit more of a description in the guide book and I admittedly had a hard time finding a silver lining, maybe other than that I need to get my backcountry skis tuned. I am, however, very thankful I didn't do this in the winter after wet leaves fell or on a hot, full-sun day.
Final Stats:
8.92 Miles
1,682 Feet
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