Mt Success & DC3 Crash Site

Mt Success Trail - Mahoosuc Trail - Bushwhack

Sep 26, 2010


Today we were joined by Tom and Scott for a damp hike to the summit of Mt Success and a side trip to the crash site of DC3 Northeast Airlines Flight 792 in November 1954. The flight had 4 crew members and 3 passengers. All survived the initial crash but 2 crew members died before the rescue that finally came 2 days later.

As we met at the trailhead, the cloudy sky turned to a wet mist which would last throughout most of the hike. Our spirits were bright though and off we headed up the trail. We soon came to the lower spur for the Outlook Loop. We knew we would have no views but decidd to take the loop anyways just in case. No views, but we did find the wind and some interesting flowers.

Back on the trail we made our way through muddy sections and over bog bridges, passing some old logging artifacts in a couple of spots. Soon we were at the summit looking across a set of bog bridges leading South. @ 10 minutes from the summit we turned onto a heard path that passed below a large boulder about 75 - 100 feet from the trail. The hear path was tight on spots but in a few minutes we reached the AT corridor boundary. We headed right (South) for @ 5 minutes until we reached the wreckage. (the AT Boundry goes right over the wing so you cannot miss the wreckage site)

We explored the wreckage for a while, signed our names in the log book, and took photos. After a quick snack we headed back the way we came to the summit and then down to our cars.

Directions to Trailhead
From Twin Moutain head north on Rte 3, turning right on Rte 115. Follow Rte 115 until Rte 2 where you take a right. Follow Rte 2 to Gorham and take a left on Rte 16. Follow Rte 16 North. You will cross railroad tracks at in 3.3 miles. At 4.5 miles, just past an Irving Gas Station on your left, bear right onto the Leyland James Cleaveland Bridge. Follow this road for .6 miles where you will come to a set of lights. Go straight across at the lights. Follow the road as it curves right and then left around the Paper Mill on your left. 1.3 miles from the lights you will pass a Landfill on your right. .5 miles later, at the end of a chain link fence, trun right onto Success Pond Road - a dirt road with no sign. Follow the dirt logging road for 5.4 miles and turn onto a logging road that may have a sign for Mt Success trail on it. Follow this road. bearing right at a fork until you reach a field and park. The trail starts at the back right side and is marked a few feet up the trail.

Length of Hike:
1:40 hours to summit





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