CROSS COUNTRY SKIING Beaver
Brook Ski Trails
Beaver Brook Cross Country
Ski Trails begin at Beaver Brook Wayside located on Route 3 between
Twin Mountain and Franconia Notch. The Beaver Brook Wayside is on
the south side of the road. Elevation: 1435 ft (437 m).
Access #1:
Four miles west of Twin Mountain on Route 3; #2: Eight miles east
of Franconia Notch, one mile east from the junction of Trudeau Road
and Route 3. The Young Adult Conservation Corps constructed three
trails in 1980 which offer loop trips of 2.3 km, 3.9 km, and 8.6
km. Trails are not groomed.
Beaver Loop:
Easiest, 2.3 km (1.4 miles). This trail passes through a spruce-fir
area which was damaged by wind in November, 1980. Most of the trail
weaves through hardwoods and paper birch and near a forest opening
maintained to benefit wildlife. The highest point along the trail
is 135' above parking lot elevation.
Badger:
More difficult, 3.1 km (1.9 miles). This trail leaves Beaver Loop
at about 0.8 km and provides a round trip loop distance of 3.9 km
(2.3 miles). This loop passes through spruce-fir and hardwood timber
types. The highest point along the trail is 445 feet above the parking
lot.
Moose Watch:
Most difficult, 6.6 km (4.1 miles). This trail leaves Badger Loop
to the right about 1.5 km from the parking lot. Round trip distance
is 8.6 km (5.3 miles). Clear cut areas provide several vistas, offering
spectacular views of the Garfield Ridge, Mt. Hale, North Twin Mountain,
Haystack Mountain, Scarface Mountain, Flat Top, and the Sugarloaf
Mountains. The highest point along the trail is 615 feet above the
parking lot.
The area has a resident moose
population. Moose browse on the twigs, bark and stems of many woody
plants in winter. The likelihood of seeing these animals is best
along the edge of the clear cuts. Moose are unpredictable and best
observed from a safe distance.
In an effort to regenerate
trees which are intolerant of shade (mainly white birch and yellow
birch), small clear cuts are used to harvest mature, damaged or
diseased areas of the forest. Only a small percentage of the forest
is cut at one time. The existing vistas along the Moose Watch Trail
will eventually be lost as the young trees grow taller. In the future,
there will be additional clear cuts in the area. At that time the
trail may be moved to take advantage of new vistas and to permit
timber management in the area.
Caution:
This is not a regularly patrolled trail system. Do not ski alone.
For your safety and enjoyment, these trails are signed for one-way
travel. Blue diamonds are used along the trail as confidence markers
where confusion may exist due to the presence of old logging roads
or open spacing of the trees.
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