North Fork Junction, Thoreau Falls Trail – Seen here in 2017 is the trail junction of the Thoreau Falls Trail (left) and Wilderness Trail (right) in New Hampshire's Pemigewasset Wilderness during the winter months. While the White Mountains trail system has become overrun, during the dead of winter, solitude can still be found deep in the 45,000-acre Pemigewasset Wilderness. Both trails utilize the railroad bed right-of-way of the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad (1893-1948).
Known as North Fork Junction, during the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad era, this was a railroad junction. The left branch of the railroad traveled into the Thoreau Falls valley and ended just beyond logging Camp 23. The right branch (the mainline) continued to Stillwater Junction, where the railroad split again. One branch traveled into the Anderson Brook / Norcross Brook region and ended just beyond logging Camp 19. The other branch traveled to logging Camp 21 in the Shoal Pond Brook region.
The coated wires inside the pipe seen above in 2010 were found at this railroad junction. Why they are along this section of the railroad is not clear. They are possibly part of a railroad switch / signal lamp that was at this junction. A railroad switch stand was a manually operated railroad switch, which allowed trains to transfer to another section of track.
North Fork Junction is not just confined to the railroad junction (Thoreau Falls Trail / Wilderness Trail junction). From the start of the Thoreau Falls Trail to the first crossing of the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River is part of North Fork Junction. The Forest Service's North Fork Cabin was located along the Thoreau Falls Trail just south of where the trail crosses the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River. Also in the area is the confluence of the North Fork Branch of the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River and the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River.
At North Fork Junction the Thoreau Falls Trail bridge spanned the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River. Seen here in 2014, construction of this 65-foot long timber bridge began in 1959 and was completed by October 1961. It was damaged in 2011 during Tropical Storm Irene and became a safety concern. Because of the strict guidelines of the National Wilderness Preservation System and the Wilderness Act of 1964, which governs the Pemigewasset Wilderness (human-made structures and permanent improvements are not allowed within a federally designated wilderness area), Forest Service dismantled the bridge in 2019. Hikers now have to ford this water crossing.
Just downstream from the Thoreau Falls Trail bridge was the site of a timber trestle used by the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad. Remnants of the trestle, seen above in 2009, remain on the northern side of the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River.
Interesting links:
North Fork Spur Line, Thoreau Falls Trail
Cable Car, Wilderness Trail
East Branch & Lincoln Railroad Book
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.