Mount Major - Beaver Pond Trail
 

Over the years I have heard about a hiking trail along the back side of Mount Major from Jesus Valley Rd that starts closer to the summit and is shorter and easier. My husband and I are not in the best shape but would like to start hiking again, easing into it with a simple trail that's not too steep or long.

I have done some research and found this trail is called the Beaver Pond Trail of Mount Major (http://belknaprange.org/maps/Belknap...jor_042515.pdf), but someone told me recently that last time they tried to hike it (2014?) it was washed out and may not be fixed.

Has anyone done this hike recently? If so, are the trails in good condition? Are they easy to navigate?

Where is the trailhead, is it marked on Jesus Valley Road? Is there a parking area?

Any information or suggestions on this trail would be appreciated! I would love to try it this weekend for the first time! :)

The "Jesus Valley - Beaver Pond Trail" shown as red on the map is a snowmobile trail. Your can access it at the end of Jesus Valley Road (but not going up the right hook which is a private section). Park on side near large wetland and the trail is a short distance down the old woods road.
Turn right off the woods road then after a short rise, left branch goes to Mt Major but it will be a fairly steep climb. Right branch goes northerly past the beaver pond and intersects the Boulder Loop Trail (orange). Mushy going past the beaver pond unless frozen in winter.

The Boulder Loop Trail to Major is longer than the main Mt Major Blue Trail, no as steep but still has a short fairly steep section. This would be best accessed from the Mt Major parking lot.

The easiest way up Major albeit longer is to start on the Blue Trail from the parking lot but then at 0.7 mile continue straight onto the Brook Trail (yellow). A trail description that I wrote a while ago is here:
http://belknaprangetrails.org/mt-major/blue-trail/

By the looks of the parking lot lately there wouldn't be room on the top even if you went up the back way.

Have you tried the Rattlesnake trail on Squam? An easy hike with a spectacular view. If you are just getting back into hiking this may be a good hike to start with. Good luck. Please let us know how your hike goes.

Another easy hike right in your back yard and with spectacular views from the top is the Morse property:
https://www.forestsociety.org/proper...se-sr-preserve

Thank you all, appreciate your replies! We will check out the Morse Preserve since we're hoping to find something close to Alton Bay, but the views from Rattlesnake Mtn look great too!

Here's a teaser from Morse Preserve...
 

Taken from the Morse preserve this past winter looking out on the lake. Nice walk. We did have snowshoes on.