Hikers who were hoping to use the Lincoln Woods Trail in late fall after it has been closed for the past five months are in for some disappointment.
The popular New Hampshire trail was closed in June while undergoing extensive trail work, and it was scheduled to reopen in late fall. However, officials with the U.S. Forest Service recently extended that closure until January 1, 2027 due to more work still needing to be completed.
The section of the popular White Mountains trail that is closed stretches from Route 112 (the Kancamagus Highway) to the junction of the Osseo Trail. The closure impacts such popular hikes as the Pemi Loop, the Bonds, Owl’s Head, 13 Falls, Guyot, and Camp 16/Black Brook Trestle.
Forest Service officials said anyone who violates the closure can be fined up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or face imprisonment for up to six months.
Officials said the construction project is needed to make repairs to the trail, which has been damaged by several flooding events during the past decade, beginning with Hurricane Irene. They said without the repairs, unchecked erosion will put the trail at risk for complete loss.
Any hike that is typically accessed from the Lincoln Woods Trail will require a crossing of the Pemigewasset River. Hikers should remember river levels can fluctuate and crossings can be challenging.
Parking and trail access to the East Side Trail continues to be available at Lincoln Woods Trailhead.
