Coburn Mountain
Updated: Apr 26, 2020
It wasn't the best day for a hike but rather than spend it inside while my wife and other bridesmaids were preparing for our friends wedding, I decided to get lost in the woods. The weather was extremely cloudy, humid and everything was wet from the previous day/night of rain. Still better than helping put together wedding center pieces and boutonnieres.
The easiest way to get to Coburn mountain is to take Enchanted Mountain road off Route 201. Not knowing how the road was I decided to park only half a mile along Enchanted Mountain road. I followed the road till I reached Judd road on the right. This is where the ATV/Snowmobile trails start. Plenty of parking can be found prior to this intersection and just off the trails. All you need is a vehicle with more than 6 inches of clearance. I hung a right on to Judd road and walked a short distance to find the ATV trail on the left.
Up until this point it was a pretty leisurely walk from my car. The ATV trail started climbing up Coburn and this is when I noticed that it was quite humid. Following the part loose rock and part grass covered trail I began walking North and then the trail swung back West and steadily got steeper. It was clear this trail was for the ATV/snowmobiles because it was quite wide and parts of it were rutted.
I followed the ATV trail to an open area with a radio tower to my right and a gate. The trail to the summit continues passed the gate. Once passed the gate, the trail to the summit is 50 feet on your right into the woods. It is marked by two cairns which I missed the first time. If you want the steep, poorly marked and very narrow trail to the summit this is the one for you. If you would rather have a more gentle climb, though a bit longer, stay on the ATV/Snowmobile trail. The snowmobile trail goes west and gradually turns North to make its way up to the summit.
Interested in getting to the top I opted for the steep wooded summit trail. It was quite difficult in spots as I had to climb over and under various trees. I suspect that the trail would be less overgrown earlier in the year. Eventually, I reached the top. The summit had a series of solar panels and a building, with an observation tower off to the right.
It was so cloudy at the top that I couldn't even see down to the ATV trails. I spent about an hour at the top and most of it I was in the clouds. Concerned about time (didn't want to be late for the wedding), I took the snowmobile trail down (the hiking trail was just too steep and slippery) where I saw lots of moose and deer tracks. I didn't see much wildlife but it was still a decent hike.
Overall, I would say the hike itself wasn't all that amazing because most of it was on the snowmobile trails but talking with the locals and reading online it isn't difficult to believe that had it not been so cloudy the views would have been quite beautiful. Bigelows to the west and Katahdin to the east on a sunny day would be great sights. It is also a pretty quick hike especially if you can drive to the intersection with Judd road. The use of the ATV trails vice the hiking trail to get to the summit makes it a hike for all types of hiking abilities.
This map was helpful for me during this trip. Thanks to NH Mountain Hiking for providing it.
