For more than 100 years, Chocorua Mountain Club (CMC) members maintained trails on Mount Chocorua and Mount Paugus.
In 2023, Chocorua Mountain Club merged into Chocorua Lake Conservancy (CLC), and now CLC’s Chocorua Mountain Club Trails Committee is organizing year-round trail stewardship and upholding tradition with the annual CMC Trail Clearing Day, always on the second Saturday of May, hopefully before black fly season starts! If you love to hike Chocorua or around our conservation lands, come help keep the trails clear and safe and meet others who also love this place.
Want to be added to the Trail Volunteers email list? Sign up HERE.
Questions? Contact CLC’s Chocorua Mountain Club Trails Committee or see below for details on past and upcoming trail days.
Annual CMC Trail Clearing Day. | Alex Moot
Want to help? Join us for our Annual Trail Clearing Day
Heavier weather events and a significant increase in foot traffic are causing significant damage to the trails. If you are interested in helping with trail maintenance we welcome the participation of friends from the community and hikers from away who have enjoyed the glorious views from the summit.
Trail Clearing Day participants have two options: Hike the Mountain, a full-day hike on CMC trails on Chocorua and Paugus, clearing water bars and blowdowns, and maybe hiking the summit for fun. Or, help steward Chocorua Lake Conservancy trails, a half-day hike on conservation land, clearing CLC trails on land around the lake, followed by a nap or a swim. Everyone is invited to gather for supper in the evening.
Hard at work on the Hammond Trail. | Anna Paddock
Trail Clearing opportunities
Chocorua Mountain Club History
On July 17, 1908, Hutchie Page called the first meeting of the Chocorua Mountain Club (CMC), a sister organization to the Chocorua Lake Conservancy.
CMC's mission statement, written that same year, said:
“The objects of the Club are to explore and to make paths and camps in the White Mountains of New Hampshire for the convenience of visitors; furthermore, to acquire by purchase or gifts such tracts of land, with or with or without buildings, for the purpose of improving and preserving the natural resources of the White Mountains.”
Over the years, little or no land was bought, only a few camps built, but many hours have been spent on trail maintenance and, increasingly, erosion control.
In 1923, the CMC had 418 members and dues were 50 cents a year for active members.
Trail Maintenance
Tim Twitchell clearing trails in 2010.
CLC’s CMC Trails Committee is responsible for clearing and maintaining seven trails on Mt. Chocorua and Mt. Paugus, including the Brook Trail, Hammond Trail, Bee Line Trail, Weetamoo Trail, Old Paugus Trail, and Whitten Brook Trail.
Trail volunteers also help maintain trails on CLC-owned and CLC-managed conservation lands, including the following trails: Bickford Heights, Old Mail Road, Heron Pond Loop (Lonely Lake); Middle Trail, Hunters Trail, and Highland Trail.
Trail Map
Ken Smith and Steve Weld clearing the way on the Old Paugus Trail.
CLC publishes a detailed Tyvek Chocorua Mountain Club map of all trails in the Mount Chocorua region. Order one HERE.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE US FOREST SERVICE
Working cooperatively, the US Forest Service and CLC achieve their shared mission of protecting natural resources and improving the experience of visitors through trail improvement and other stewardship activities in the White Mountain National Forest.
The US Forest Service is an equal opportunity provider. CLICK HERE for more information about the US Forest Service Saco Ranger District.