Gregg Trail

Gregg Trail

The Gregg Trail at Crotched Mountain in Greenfield, New Hampshire is a moderate 1.6-mile out-and-back trail to the southern slope and lookout point along the mountain.

Location: Crotched Mountain Road, Greenfield, New Hampshire. Across from Crotched Mountain Rehab Center.

Allowed activities: walking, hiking, geocaching, birdwatching, picnicking

Forbidden activities: NO SMOKING, no camping, no fires, NO GLASS, no bicycles, no ATV use, no horses, no snowmobiles

Hours: Trails are open daily from 30 minutes after sunrise and close 30 minutes before sunset, depending on the conditions.

Parking: There is plenty of free parking near the trailhead.

Pets: Dogs are NOT allowed on the trails. Only SERVICE dogs are allowed, on a leash, and their waste must be picked up.

Accessibility: Gregg trail is wheelchair accessible. Before heading out, Crotched Mountain encourages all visitors to first check the conditions for possible closures to the trail due to damage caused by weather. Hikers can check their website (https://crotchedmountain.org/  go to “PROGRAMS” and from the drop down, pick “ACCESIBLE TRAILS”) or call 603.547.3311 for trail updates. Trails are flat, wide, graded gravel and well maintained. There are no root hazards to trip over. There is a viewing area with seating at the end of the trail. This trail is good for all ages and hiking abilities. Gregg trail can be hiked year round, depending on weather.

Sanitation: There is a large, wheelchair accessible port-a-potty at the parking area. It is clean and well maintained. There is no running water, but there is hand sanitizer in the port-a-potty. The public is also welcome to use the restroom at the Crotched Mountain Rehab Centers Main building.

Length:  This hike is a moderate 1.6 mile trail that goes out and back. The grade slopes, but is easily hiked because the engineers of the trail built in switchbacks that prevent the slope from being too severe for the infirm or a wheelchair bound hiker.

Trail information:  Next to the parking area, just before the trailhead, there is a small plaza area. There are two picnic tables (one is wheelchair accessible), a small trash bin and a Hiker registration house with maps and a sign in book. Often times the maps inside are either gone, weather worn, or scavenged by critters, so it’s safest to print out a map before heading out. If you don’t have a map with you, you can easily snap a picture of the trail map with your phone or camera from the posted trail placard in the plaza area.  If you want to plan ahead, a Trail map can be found here:

https://crotchedmountain.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Trail-Map-and-Guidelines.pdf

At the beginning of the trail, there is a lovely sitting area with granite benches that have been placed there in tribute to loved ones who have passed away.  A gentle reminder that our time on this spinning orb is finite, so get out and enjoy nature while you can.  This trail starts off across an open field with sweeping views. It’s a great place to pause and watch for hawk trying to catch a lift on a thermocline.  Two of the five points of interest feature the names of the mountains or hills that can be seen in the distance, you will find a placard here. The field is home to all sorts of flora: milkweed, ferns, sumac, juniper bushes and blueberries. Scattered along the trail, Crotched Mountain has placed poems that encourage the hiker to stop and reflect as they absorb the beauty that surrounds them. Those who appreciate fungi can’t help but notice the abundance of Birch Polypore’s.  There’s even a geocache or two for those who enjoy that hobby.

Crotched Mountain Rehab is a center for people with brain injuries as well as other neurological challenges. The more than $500,000 dollars raised to construct these trails, came from private citizens, foundations, personal gifts, businesses, corporations as well as grants from The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and the Dell Foundation.  At the time of its completion, it was the longest trail built to universal design standards for accessibility in a mountain setting, in the United States. Crotched Mountain encourages hikers of all ages and abilities to enjoy their lovely trails free of charge.