CAMPTON, N.H. — Two White Mountain National Forest trails nearly obliterated by Tropical Storm Irene three years ago are reopening for New Hampshire’s fall hiking season.

The Dry River Trail and Isolation Trail in the Dry River Wilderness region of the forest are open again after extensive work, forest officials said.

Hikers should be aware that both trails are narrower and have some rougher terrain due to the extensive eroding and other damage they sustained. In some instances, hikers will have to find the route to navigate the full length of the trails.

“We want to emphasize the changing condition and wilderness character of those trails,” said Brian Johnston, assistant ranger of the Saco Ranger District. “They’re rougher trails than some hikers are used to.”

The trails were closed in the wake of the late August storm, after erosion and washout left some sections of trail dead-ending at 20-foot crevices and wiped out several trail junctions.

The Dry River Trail peaks at the Lake of the Clouds hut on Mount Washington. The Isolation Trail from the west connects the Dry River Trail to the Davis Path, which provides access to the peak of Mount Isolation. The Isolation Trail from the east connects the Rocky Branch Trail to the Davis Path.

Johnston said a section of the Rocky Branch Trail between the two shelters remains closed due to storm damage.

Forest service officials said they could not have reopened the trails without the help of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, New Hampshire state parks personnel, local residents and trail club members, guides and interested members of the public.

More information on the trails and their conditions can be obtained by contacting the Saco Ranger District of the White Mountain National Forest at 603-447-5448.

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