Detour Established Around Closed Bridge on Appalachian Trail

Hikers on the Appalachian Trail will need to take a new detour around a footbridge in the White Mountains in New Hampshire.

Officials with the White Mountain National Forest and Appalachian Trail Conservancy recently announced the official detour for the Appalachian Trail.

The detour goes around the Madison Gulf Bridge — also called the Great Gulf Suspension Bridge — which crosses the West Branch of the Peabody River. The bridge was closed in November after an inspection by the U.S. Forest Service deemed it unsafe for pedestrian traffic. Hikers may be cited for using the bridge.

The bridge will remain closed until a new bridge can be designed and installed.

The new route cuts the trail by 4.3 miles, eliminating the river crossing. The detour is signed and blazed to identify the route. 

Officials with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy say hikers now have two options at this location that are acceptable for officially completing the AT.

Hikers can still choose to fjord the river and continue on the regular trail. But it is a significant crossing, and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy describes it as “a dangerous crossing in all but dry conditions when the river’s flow is low and even then, it can be difficult.”

The riverbed is mostly large boulders with deep, swift moving pools of water around them. Only hikers with experience fording rivers should attempt this option and only during dry weather.

Officials recommend hikers take the new detour between Great Gulf and Carter Notch Hut, which is now marked with temporary white plastic blazes.

Northbound Detour Directions: 

1. From the Osgood Campsite, take the Osgood Trail where it veers left away from the AT and follow it for 0.8 mi to the junction with the Great Gulf Trail. Follow the Great Gulf Trail for another 1.5 miles to Route 16. 
2. When you reach the Great Gulf Trail parking lot and trailhead, walk the access road a short distance out to Route 16. Turn right on Route 16 heading south and walk along the shoulder for 0.5 mi. Be very careful when walking along the road. Route 16 is a busy route with fast moving cars.
   1. Alternative: Arrange a ride up to Pinkham Notch instead of walking to the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail and then continue on the AT northbound from Pinkham Notch.  
3. After 0.5 mi, you’ll see the Nineteen Mile Brook Trailhead on the left side of the road. It is a large dirt lot with a kiosk at the far end.  
4. Follow the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail for 3.6 miles as it winds up to the ridge and back to the AT Turn left on the AT and continue northbound. 

Southbound Detour Directions: 

1. Just past the Carter Lakes you’ll come to the signed junction of the AT and the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail. Turn right onto the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail and follow it 3.6 miles to Route 16.
   1. Alternative: Continue on the AT southbound down to Pinkham Notch. From Pinkham Notch, arrange a ride down to the Great Gulf Trailhead. 
2. At Route 16, turn right and follow the road for 0.5 mi to the Great Gulf Trailhead. The trailhead access road is on the left side road and has a large White Mountain National Forest sign for the Great Gulf Wilderness at the entrance. 
3. At the far end of the large dirt parking lot, follow the Great Gulf Trail for 1.5 miles to the junction with the Osgood Trail. 
4. Veer right into the Osgood Trail and follow it for 0.8 mi to Osgood campsite and the AT When you reach the AT, turn right to continue southbound. 

Any questions regarding the closure can be directed to the Androscoggin Ranger Station at (603) 466-2713.