Mount Hayes

Trail: North Road, Gates Brook Trail, Austin Brook Trail, Mahoosuc Trail, Centennial Trail

Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant

“I looped it Hogan Road -> Gates Brook Trail -> Austin Brook Trail -> Gentian Pond Tentsite -> Mahoosuc Trail to Mt. Success -> back to Gentian Pond -> Mahoosuc Trail to Mt. Hayes -> Centennial Trail back to the trailhead. All told it's around 22 miles/6,500' elevation gain. Gentian Pond tentsite is a gem--lovely pond, nice shelter, tree-covered tent platforms, bear box, and not a long walk to the water. Oh, and not crowded ;) Gates Brook Trail, Austin Brook Trail: significant areas of logging are visible. The trail has been re-routed around the worst of it, so it's not too bad. Footing on these two trails is generally very good as most of the trails are on old logging roads Mahoosuc Trail from Gentian Pond tentsite to Success: quite wet. Almost all of the slabby rock on the steeper portions was wet. Mud was minor and avoidable. Mahoosuc Trail from Gentian Pond tentsite to Hayes: more sigificant mud, particularly east of Wocket Ledge. After Wocket Ledge heading west/south, not only does the trail become generally less rough, but it's also generally drier and less muddy. Water is not at all an issue right now. There are frequent creeks/brooks flowing past the trails. The summer dryness on the Mahoosuc Range is definitely not in place right now. I've never hiked in the Mahoosuc Range, and it was really nice. 10/10, way less crowded than the 4,000 footers but just as scenic (and rough).”

Trail: Centennial Trail, Mahoosuc Trail

Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery

“Trail is in good condition other than blowdowns. A little mud here and there but easily avoided. No snow and ice except 2 tiny patches just off the trail that has probably melted by now. Trail is mostly dry and I wore non waterproof trail runners. There's a few small sections of dry slippery leaves but really not an issue other than slowing down a little on the descent. Lovely views on the ledges about a half mile down from the summit heading down the Mahoosuc Trail towards Gorham.”

Trail: Centennial Trail, Mahoosuc Trail

Conditions: Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Spring Snow, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Snow/Ice - Small Patches

“Barebooted the first two miles, but then hit the side hill climb just before the subpeak of Hayes. It’s north facing and still very icy-spikes will be needed for a while on that section. We put spikes on here and left them on until we got past this section on the way back down. The big drop before the viewpoint was icy and steep; we skirted around this to the left/west. We had about 4-5 inches of Tuesday’s snow in the shady parts of Mahoosic Trail, but it was melting and slushy by the afternoon. Ledges at the viewpoint past the summit were mostly bare, but we discovered some hidden slush puddles up there (thankfully our gaiters kept our feet mostly dry). Epic views of the Carters, Wildcats and Presis today.”