Cedar Brook Spur Line, Bondcliff Trail – Located along the Bondcliff Trail (formerly the Wilderness Trail) in the Pemigewasset Wilderness are the remnants of an old spur line of the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad (1893-1948). Most of the spur lines along the mainlines of the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad are easy to locate, but a few, such as this one, can be overlooked.
About one half of a mile above trestle No. 7, along the Upper East Branch (today’s Bondcliff Trail) of the railroad, the Cedar Brook spur line began. Shortly after leaving the mainline, the spur line crossed the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River, and it then traveled up a closed section of the Pemi East Side Trail, ending in the general area of Cedar Brook, where there was likely a landing / work area. This spur line possibly crossed Cedar Brook.
Pictured above in 2017 is where the spur line crossed the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River. Nothing remains of the trestle, but a railroad spike was found among the boulders on one side of the crossing.
In August 2011, flooding during Tropical Storm Irene caused extensive damage along the brooks and rivers in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. Seen here in 2011 is how the Pemi East Side Trail looked after the storm; the flooding created a trough down the middle of the trail and exposed railroad ties that were buried under the trail. This damaged section of the Pemi East Side Trail is now closed, and the trail has been rerouted to avoid it.
The railroad ties are scattered all about the washed out section of the Pemi East Side Trail. Some of the ties still have railroad spikes in them, and the railroad ties look to be cut trees that have been squared with an adze (a hand tool used to cut and shape wood).
More reading:
East Branch & Lincoln Railroad Book
North Fork Junction, Thoreau Falls Trail
Trestle No.7, Lincoln Woods Trail
Happy image making..
© Erin Paul Donovan. All rights reserved | Historic Information Disclaimer | White Mountains History
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Owner of ScenicNH Photography LLC
Erin Paul is a professional photographer, writer, and author who specializes in environmental conservation and historic preservation photography mainly in the New Hampshire White Mountains. His work is published worldwide, and publication credits include: Appalachian Mountain Club, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Backpacker Magazine, and The Wilderness Society.
ScenicNH Photography LLC
Specializing in environmental conservation and historic preservation photography mainly in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, Erin Paul’s photography and writing focuses on the history of the White Mountains, and telling the story of abandoned places and forgotten historical sites.