Celebrating 100 Years!
Circa 1922
The mission of the Chatham Trails Association is to support and maintain safe use and stewardship of the Evans Notch region of New Hampshire and Maine, through preservation and maintenance of trails and other recreational and natural resources, and through participation in related educational activities.
In 1922 a group of Cold River Camp volunteers formed CTA to improve hiking in Evans Notch and make Cold River Camp a premier hiking destination. In the early years before the National Forest had a trail system, the "trail-builders" set out to create new routes and build new trails so hikers could enjoy scenic and interesting areas. As the trail system was established, the efforts of CTA turned to protecting the trails and "the preservation and proper use of the scenic beauty spots and places of historic interest." Beginning in 1984 CTA led efforts to protect the Circle Trail. The project included creation of a parking area and the purchase of a trail corridor across private land. CTA worked with landowners and led fundraising efforts that resulted in permanent trail access.
The volunteers of CTA continue that tradition with stewardship. Our stewardship of nearly 40 miles of trails on National Forest and private land in Evans Notch includes regular maintenance of the trails and larger projects to improve trail features.