New England's Lost Hiking Trails
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Bear Mountain Ski Trail
State: NH
Built by the CCC, The Bear Mountain Ski Trail was once one of the most popular ski destinations in the White Mountains. The trail was split by Bear Notch Road into upper and lower sections.

Bear Mountain Ski Trail Details
Also Known As:
Location: White Mountains
Peak: Bear Mountain
Opened: 1933
Closed: 1950s?
Reason Closed: Development of modern lift served ski areas
Guidebook Descriptions:
1934 AMC White Mountain Guide
Bear Mountain Ski Trail.
Bear Mt. (3,180 ft.), S.E. of Bear Mt. Notch, has no trail designed primarily for summer use.
The ski trail, extending from Louisville Reservoir (see above, Bear Mt. Notch Trail), to the summit, is easily seen in wintertime from highway E. of Bartlett. About 3 1/2 m. S. of Bartlett it crosses the Bartlett-Passaconaway Road, which thus divides the trail into parts. The upper or S. part is 1.4 m. long, has a drop of 1,700 ft., is 15 to 50 ft. wide and requires a minimum of 15 inches of snow. The lower part, between the Bartlett-Passaconaway Road and the reservoir, is 0.8 m. long, drops 600 ft., is 12 to 30 ft. wide and requires 8 inches of snow. The upper part is for expert skiers, except about 1/4 m. near the road. The portion of the trail below the road is suitable for novices. Both parts can be reached from Bartlett by the Bartlett-Passaconaway Road. To reach the lower end of the trail, the same road is followed from the main highway (N.H. 18) at Bartlett for 1/2 m., turning off here to the R. (W.) into the water works road, which is signed to the reservoir. N.H. 18 is kept open throughout the year and it is probable that the Bartlett-Passaconaway Road will be kept open as far as the ski trail.

1938 New Hampshire: A Guide to the Granite State
Bear Mt. Upper Trail (W.M.N.F.). From Bartlett take Bear Mt. Road which divides upper and lower sections of trail. Trail leads to summit of Bear Mt. Length 1.4 m. Max grade 28º. Difficult trail.
Bear Mt. Lower Trail (W.M.N.F.). Same as Upper Trail. Length 0.8 m. Max grade 15º. This section is very easy.

1940 AMC White Mountain Guide
Bear Mountain Ski Trail.
Bear Mt. (3,230 ft.), SE of Bear Mt. Notch, has no trail designed primarily for summer use but may be ascended by the ski trail, which crosses the Bear Notch (Bartlett-Passaconaway) Road between the bridges over Albany and Louisville Brooks. There is ample parking-space nearby. A short distance above the highway the ski trail forks R from the old logging-road location. There is no water above the second crossing of Albany Brook, about 1/4 m. above the road. The trail is rough and steep toward its upper end. From Bear Notch Road 2 hrs.
The ski trail, extending from Louisville Reservoir to the summit, is easily seen in wintertime from the highway E of Bartlett. About 3 1/2 m. S of Bartlett it crosses the Bartlett-Passaconaway Road, which thus divides the trail into two parts. The upper or S part is 1.4 m. long, has a drop of 1,700 ft., is 15 to 50 ft. wide and requires a minimum of 15 in. of snow. The lower part, between the Bartlett-Passaconaway Road and the reservoir, is 0.8 m. long, drops 600 ft., is 12 to 30 ft. wide and requires 8 in. of snow. The upper part is for expert skiers, except about 1/4 m. near the road. The portion of the trail below the road is suitable for novices. Both parts can be reached from Bartlett by the Bear Notch Road. To reach the lower end of the trail, the same road is followed from the main highway (US 302) at Bartlett for 1/2 m., turning off here to the R (W) into the water-works road, which is signed to the reservoir. US 302 is kept open throughout the year and the Bear Notch (Bartlett-Passaconaway Road is usually plowed.

1948 AMC White Mountain Guide
Bear Mountain Ski Trail.
This trail begins on the Bear Notch (Bartlett-Passaconaway) Road between the bridges over Albany and Louisville Brooks. There is ample parking-space nearby. A short distance above the highway the ski trail forks R from the old logging-road location. The trail is steep toward its upper end. From Bear Notch Road 2 hrs.

 
Images:
1934 AMC map of Bear Mountain
1934 AMC map of Bear Mountain


1940 AMC map of Bear Mountain
1940 AMC map of Bear Mountain


1946 USGS map of Bear Mountain
1946 USGS map of Bear Mountain


1950 USGS map of Bear Mountain
1950 USGS map of Bear Mountain
Links:
  • Bear Mountain - New England's Alpine CCC Ski Trails - NewEnglandSkiHistory.com
  • Last updated 2011-09-02
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