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The Wild River Trail leads from Wild River Campground near Gilead ME along the Wild River and across the low divide to the Wildcat River Trail. Most of the first half of the trail is on an old logging railroad grade and most of the rest follows old woods roads, so gradients are gentle except for washouts and brook crossings. Hikers should beware of fast-rising brooks after storms in this narrow valley, and avoid the muddy area in the middle during wet seasons.
In the 1950s, the Supervisor of the White Mountain National Forest found that the greatest recreational demand was "driving for pleasure", and proposed two new scenic roads deep into the forest for tourists. The Kancamagus Highway from Lincoln to Conway was built and if anything has become too popular especially in foliage season, but a similar road roughly following the route of the Wild River Trail never got beyond the drawing boards. Proposed Wilderness designation for this area would keep even mountain bikes away.
Distance: From Wild River Campground to the Wildcat River Trail, about 9.6 miles one-way
Elevation gain: From Wild River Campground to the Wildcat River Trail, about 1600 feet, about 400 feet on return
Maps:
USGS Wild River, Chatham, Jackson
AMC Carter Range-Evans Notch
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map G-8/9
DeLorme NHA&G 49-K11 to 45-C9 - Beans Purchase/Jackson
The trail is located SE of Gorham NH and SW of Bethel ME
Trailhead: WMNF Wild River Campground, elevation about 1130 feet
44.3064°N, 71.0639°W (WGS84)
WMNF fee site
From I-93 exit 35 N of Franconia Notch, take US Route 3 N about 13 miles to NH Route 115. Turn R on NH Route 115 and follow it about 10 miles to its end at US Route 2. Turn R on US Route 2 and follow it about 26 miles to Gilead, ME. Turn R on ME Route 113 and go S 3.2 miles to Wild River Road, turn R and go about 5.7 miles to trailhead parking area on L at entrance to campground.
Far End: Wildcat River Trail between Carter Notch Road and Carter Notch, elevation about 2330 feet
Owner: White Mountain National Forest
Maintainer: White Mountain National Forest
Special regulations: No camping within 1/4 mile of road or shelters, or along first mile of trail from campground
From the parking lot, the relocated Wild River Trail crosses the campground entrance road and descends slightly to cross a small brook. The trail then runs in the woods between the river and the campground before reaching the old railroad grade and turning sharp R on it.
At .5 miles, the Moriah Brook Trail leaves R to cross a suspension bridge, and the Wild River Trail continues on the railroad grade. This railroad was abandoned a century ago and the old ties have long since rotted away, so walking is generally good except in eroded sections. The trail passes through an overgrown clearing and at 2.8 miles reaches the first junction with the Black Angel Trail, which continues ahead towards Blue Brook Shelter and Rim Junction.
The two trails together turn R to cross Spider Bridge over Wild River, and on the far bank the Highwater Trail leaves R to run down the N bank back to ME Route 113. There are ledges and pools in the river here. The Wild River and Black Angel Trails turn L, and split in .1 miles where the Black Angel Trail angles R uphill. The Wild River Trail continues on the old railroad grade to Spruce Brook Shelter on the R at 3.6 miles - just beyond is the unbridged crossing of Spruce Brook. In another mile Red Brook is crossed on ledges amidst cascades, and just beyond the trail leaves the old railroad grade R and climbs briefly before turning L on an old woods road.
The trail angles gradually upward on a more wandering course, reaching a junction L with the relocated Eagle Link at about 4.9 miles. Beyond this point the trail becomes exceedingly muddy, with many areas of steppingstones but nothing like enough. The three crossings of the Wild River beyond this point are narrow enough to cross in reasonable weather but mean more mud. At about 6.5 miles the East Branch Trail leaves L for the East Branch Road and Slippery Brook Road; both it and the rest of the Wild River Trail are marked for ski-touring with high blue plastic blazes which are far more visible than the faded yellow blazes of the hiking trail. The Wild River Trail passes No-Ketchum Pond, a small area of open water amidst a larger bog with a few faint paths leading toward it, and reaches Perkins Notch Shelter at 7.0 miles. The trail continues on the side of a ridge to avoid swamps in the valley, finally descending to Perkins Notch at 7.8 miles, where the Rainbow Trail leaves R for Carter Dome.
The Wild River Trail angles slightly R and climbs briefly to get away from the muddy valley bottom before angling down into the Saco River watershed. The area here is unusual in White Mountain logging because it is the far corner of Beans Purchase and logs here were pulled uphill by a cable system into the Wild River drainage - most logs elsewhere were hauled downhill by horses to the nearest railroad or large river. At 8.4 miles the Bog Brook Trail to the L provides the shortest route to the Carter Notch Road, while the Wild River Trail continues on up-and-down sidehill to the Wildcat River Trail at 9.6 miles. Turn R for the AMC Carter Notch Hut.
Expect ME Route 113 to be closed from Gilead across Evans Notch in snowy months, and Wild River Road will be closed into spring until the mud dries up.
Map Notes: The USGS map does not show the new trail around the campground, and shows the old junction with the Eagle Link.
Wild River valley from Middle Carter
Perkins Notch Shelter
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