New England's Lost Hiking Trails
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Smarts Trail No. 3
State: NH
Smarts Trail No. 3 ascended the east mountain from the Cummins Pond area. It was at one point part of the longer Maskoma Trail, and likely later the Clark Pond Trail.

Smarts Trail No. 3 Details
Also Known As: Maskoma Trail, Mascoma Trail, Clark Pond Loop
Location: Western New Hampshire
Peak: Smarts Mountain
Opened: 1937?
Closed: 1980s or 1990s
Reason Closed:
Guidebook Descriptions:
1940 AMC White Mountain Guide
[Maskoma Trail]
The trail soon crosses Parker Young tractor road, and leads to the Lime-Dorchester highway near Cummins Pond which is followed W around the S end to Mascoma Lodge, a girl’s summer camp.
Smarts (or Mascoma) Mtn. is in fully view from the Lodge. Alternative routes, plainly marked, soon merge with the main trail which rises steadily through forest 5 m. to the higher (W) summit, where it joins the Appalachian Trail, beneath the 40 ft. steel fire lookout tower.

[Smarts Mountain]
The approach from the E starts at Mascoma Lodge on Cummins Pond and follows old lumber roads up near Clough Brook and along summit ridge to fire tower.

1948 AMC White Mountain Guide
[Maskoma Trail]
The trail soon crosses the Parker Young tractor road, and leads to the Lyme-Dorchester highway near Cummins Pond which is followed W around the S end of Maskoma Lodge, a grils’ summer camp. Smarts (or Maskoma) Mt. is in full view from the Lodge. Alternative routes, plainly marked, over 1 ½ m. of old country road to Clough Place where trails merge with the main trail which rises steadily through forest 2 ½ m. to the higher (W) summit, where it joins the Appalachian Trail, beneath the 40 ft. steel fire lookout tower. Distances. Cardigan via Mowglis Trail to Maskoma Trail Jct. 2.1 m.; Farr Place 3.7 m.; Derby Pond 5 m.; Dorchester Road 7.6 m.; Smarts Mt. 11.75 m.

[Smarts Mountain]
3. From the E. Smarts Trail No. 3 is the so-called “Maskoma Trail,” and starts at Masokma Lodge on Cummins Pond and follows old lumber roads up near Clough Brook and along summit ridge to the fire-tower. Turn to Mt. Cardigan trails a few pages farther on.

1960 AMC White Mountain Guide
From the E. Smarts Trail No. 3 starts at Maskoma Lodge on Cummins Pond and follows old lumber roads up near Clough Brook and along summit ridge to the fire-tower. Check with DOC on condition of this trail.

1963 AMC White Mountain Guide
3. From the E. Smarts Trail No. 3 starts at Maskoma Lodge on Cummins Pond and follows old lumber roads up near Clough Brook and along summit ridge to the fire-tower. This trail is now a section of the AT.

1966 AMC White Mountain Guide
3. From the E. Smarts Trail No. 3 starts at Maskoma Lodge on Cummins Pond and follows old lumber roads up near Clough Brook and along summit ridge to the fire-tower. This trail is now a section of the AT.

1969 AMC White Mountain Guide
3. From the E. Smarts Trail No. 3 starts at Maskoma Lodge on Cummins Pond and follows old lumber roads up near Clough Brook and along summit ridge to the fire-tower. This trail is now a section of The Appalachian Trail. Distance. Approx 4.4 m.

1972 AMC White Mountain Guide
3. From the E. Smarts Trail No. 3 starts at Maskoma Lodge on Cummins Pond and follows old lumber roads up near Clough Brook and along summit ridge to the fire tower. Distance. 4.4 m.

1976 AMC White Mountain Guide
3. From the E. Smarts Trail No. 3 starts at Maskoma Lodge on Cummins Pond and follows old lumber roads up near Clough Brook and along summit ridge to the fire tower.
Distance. 4.4 m.

1979 AMC White Mountain Guide
3. From the SE Smarts Trail No. 3 starts at Cummins Pond on Lyme-Dorchester Rd. and follows old lumber roads up near Clough Brook and along a ridge to the summit.
Distance. 4.4 m. = 7.1 km

1987 AMC White Mountain Guide
[Clark Pond Loop]
Upon reaching the valley floor the trail turns left onto a wood road. The road crosses the river and two tributaries, then crosses Cummins Pond Rd. and follows a trail through the woods that is somewhat difficult to follow due to deadfall. In 0.5 mi. it enters a good logging road and turns left on it, follows the road as it gradually fades away, and continues to the summit on a well-defined but sparsely blazed path.
Clark Pond Loop (DOC map)
Distances (est.) from Harris Junction
to Clark Pond campsite: 8.3 mi., 4 hr. 30 min.
to Cummins Pond Rd.:13.2 mi., 7 hr.
to Smarts Mtn. summit: 17.6 mi. (28.3 km.), 10 hr.

1992 AMC White Mountain Guide
[Moose Mountain Trail]
The Clark Pond Loop leads left (west) 0.6 mi. to the Fred Harris Trail and right (east) 0.3 mi. to Moose Mountain Shelter. This short path, the remnant of a much longer trail that is no longer maintained, now consists entirely of a segment of the historic old Province Road. 
Images:
1931 USGS map of Smarts Mountain
1931 USGS map of Smarts Mountain


1983 USGS map of Smarts Mountain
1983 USGS map of Smarts Mountain


Links:
Last updated 2011-08-24
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