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Trail References

Big Pines Path

[WVAIA] – EASY

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This is a short trail that leads to the banks of the Mad River where there are four enormous white pine trees. It begins off Livermore Road, after the junction with Boulder Path on the right, and a short rise in the road. It’s a narrow little trail that winds through a flat evergreen forest.

Boulder Path

[WVAIA] – EASY

Purchase Maps

TThe boulder to which this trail leads sits in the middle of Cascade Brook as it runs alongside Livermore Road. To find the trail, start up the Cascade Path along the left side of Cascade Ridge Road. Turn left at the sign for Lower Snows Mtn XC ski trail. Cross a paved Cul-de-sac. After a little rise and turn, before a substantial descent, Boulder Path leaves the ski trail, bearing off to the left at a small inconspicuous sign, and descends gradually toward the brook. At the bottom of the descent, the trail connects to an old roadbed. Turn left and walk a short distance beside the brook to the boulder. The path connects to Livermore Road, but it’s difficult to cross Cascade Brookin high water. Hikers may access the boulder quickly via Livermore Road.

Cascade Path

[WVAIA] – MODERATE

Purchase Maps

This hike brings you to a beautiful series of seven cascades falling to the rocky gorge of Cascade Brook. Even on the hottest days, the water runs cold; nevertheless, it’s a popular site for swimmers. The trail begins at the base of Cascade Ridge Road, just north of the Snows Mountain parking lot. You cannot park anywhere on Cascade Ridge Road. The trail ascends an open grassy hillside, passes along-side the Cascade Ridge Road, and continues straight as the road turns up to the right. When the Lower Snows Mountain X-C ski trail and Boulder Path diverge left, the Cascade Path continues up the hill, and soon crosses Cascade Ridge Road that has looped back around. On the other side of the road, the trail continues ascending what’s left of a former alpine ski trail. Five minutes later, the Cascade Path diverges left into the woods, traversing the rocky northern foothills of Snows Mountain, past Elephant Rock Trail diverging right, and eventually descending to the Lower Snows Mountain X-C ski trail. Turn right up the ski trail a very short distance past (not over) a wide bridge. Hike straight into the woods past the bridge, into the woods where the route begins to climb gradually toward the cascades. It takes 15 minutes to reach the first cascade, where the trail crosses the brook, and ascends more steeply through thick woods up the left-hand side. The footbed is rough with roots and rocks. From this side, access to the water is easy; however, in high water, the cross-ing at the first cascade can be difficult. At the top, the trail loops over a bridge, and descends the other side, or west side of the cas-cades, offering pristine views high above the cascading waters. It soon reconnects at the base of the first cascade.

 

For related trail information, please visit TrailsNH.

Greeley Ledges Trail

[WVAIA] – MODERATE

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This rocky hike leads to a ledge that many years ago used to command a nice view over the valley, but now this view is obscured by the trees. It begins off the Snows Mountain Trail and almost immediately encounters rocky terrain. After the initial ascent it then angles to the left, traversing around the steep-sided face. As it rounds the buttress, a small spur path leads left to the ledge. From there, it’s a short distance through the woods before the trail terminates at the summit chairlift of the former alpine ski area, where there are fine views of Mount Tecumseh and Mount Osceola.

Greeley Ponds Trails

[WMNF] – EASY

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This trail begins off Livermore Road (not open to vehicles), about 10 minutes from the Livermore parking lot*. It starts on an old logging road and soon comes alongside the Mad River on the right, and continues parallel with the river past the Goodrich Rock Trail on the left (30 minutes from Livermore parking lot). Five minutes later it begins to ascend away from the river and in 20 minutes it passes the Timber Camp Trail on the left. The Greeley Ponds Trail then traverses the slope for a short distance before descending back to the river where it crosses on a bridge. The Kancamagus Brook Ski Trail, (not suitable for hiking, as it crosses an enormous beaver pond), diverges right just past the bridge. For the rest of the distance to the ponds the trail stays close to the diminishing river as it ascends the Mad River Notch. There are several footbridges over rills and runoffs adding to the river; and then the trail descends some log steps and crosses the river (difficult in high water), at a point where a X-C ski trail continues straight ahead (blazed blue) to a fine viewpoint. The hiking trail enters the Greeley Ponds Scenic Area on the other side of the river, and is wet in several places as it passes to the left of the lower pond. Stay left as the trail forks and begins to ascend gradually to the upper pond. At the south end of the upper pond, a spur path on the right leads down to a grassy opening with views of the East Osceola cliffs. The section of the trail from the upper pond down to the Kancamagus Highway crosses several small brooks and descends gradually. It’s often used as an easy ascent from the parking lot on the Kancamagus Hwy. to the north end of the Upper Pond where there is a nice beach.

Livermore Parking Lot* For all routes originating at Livermore parking lot, known locally as “Depot Camp,” these directions apply when coming into town on Route 49: Take the access road to the ski area, Tripoli Road, which diverges left at the blinking speed sign. Go up a long hill, take the right fork and continue on Tripoli Road then turn right over the bridge at the junction with West Branch Road. The parking lot is on the left immediately after the bridge. There are restrooms and a Recreational Fee.

 

For related trail information, please visit AllTrails.

Irenes Path

[WVAIA] - MODERATE

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This trail, cut in 2013 as a result of the havoc Tropical Storm Irene caused with the now decommissioned Flume Brook Trail, is a new route to The Flume, a picturesque cascade and pool flanked by high rock walls. It begins just below the Scaur at the terminus of Kettles Path. It wanders along the wide Scaur Ridge on gradually undulated terrain, and eventually steeply descends the north side of the ridge, passing a unique vista of Mad River Notch, through a rocky evergreen forest to the Flume Brook valley. Here, Old Skidder Trail diverges right, and Irenes Path continues a short distance to The Flume, where one seeking solitude and beauty can relax beside the falling waters and be cooled by a consistent breeze that moves through the flume on even the hottest days of summer.

Kettles Path (Retired)

[WVAIA] - MODERATE

Purchase Maps

This trail has been retired in 2014

This trail has been absorbed into the new Irene’s Path trail and its name has been retired.

Mount Osceola Trail

[WMNF] – MODERATE

Purchase Maps

This heavily used, steadily ascending trail has outstanding views at the summit. It is more difficult to traverse the ridge and hike to East Peak. The trail begins at a parking area near Thornton Gap. The first section is rocky and rough and requires more time than might be expected, especially in wet conditions. It ascends the ridge, crossing a spring 2/3rds of the way up. It then climbs by short rather steep switchbacks to the summit, the site of an old fire tower. From the summit, the trail descends steeply into the col. At one point, one has the option to “chimney” down a short rock face, or take an easier route around. There are lookouts to the north as you ascend East Peak. The hiking at this point is steep and rocky. Allow an hour for this, one way. East Peak is a wooded summit marked by a small cairn. Considerable time should be allowed in descending East Peak as it’s a steep trail of loose rock and ledge along a narrow ridge. As it descends toward Greeley Ponds, it enters the Greeley Ponds Scenic Area, where camping and fires are prohibited. The trail ends at a junction with the Greeley Ponds Trail. Here, turning right (south) leads to the upper pond, and turning left (north) leads to the Kancamagus Highway.

 

For related trail information, please visit AllTrails.

Mount Tripyramid Trail

[WVAIA] - DIFFICULT

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The Tripyramid loop is one of the most difficult hikes in the White Mountains. The entire route is in the Sandwich Wilderness, which means there is no new blazing and a limit of 10 hikers per group. It is recommended to ascend the North Slide and descend the South Slide, because the North Slide is extremely steep and exposed in sections, and more difficult to descend, especially in wet conditions. There are three summits: North Peak, Middle Peak, and South Peak. There are magnificent views from a cairn near the top of the North Slide, and great views to the west and north from Middle Peak. The South Peak is wooded, but at the top of the South Slide there are excellent views. As one hikes up from the valley on Livermore Trail, there are two trailheads for Mount Tripyramid. The first leads to the South Slide. To do the loop, continue hiking to the second trailhead, which is a half an hour later, at a hairpin turn. It immediately descends to Avalanche Brook, crosses it (difficult in high water), and continues on a long traverse parallel to the brook, to the bottom of the North Slide. Once on the Slide, the trail is straight up and very steep on slabs and ledge rock. The easiest route is to begin on the left-hand side, and angle toward the center and eventually end at the upper right-hand corner of the slide, where the trail re-enters the woods. The views are best before the slide narrows at the end. Once in the woods, there’s a short steep section through thick conifers to the summit. The trail across the summits is a beautiful undulating route, passing the Sabbaday Brook Trail junction on the left about half way across. Coming down from the South Peak is a short steep section through thick conifers. When descending the South Slide, which is steep, but not so precipitous as the North Slide, the Kate Sleeper Trail diverges rather obscurely to the left, not far from the top of the slide. The Mount Tripyramid trail re-enters the woods at the bottom right of the slide. From there, it descends the steep mountainside on a long traverse, eventually joining an old logging road grade running parallel to the Slide Brook, before crossing Avalanche Brook (difficult in high water), just before the trail ends at the Livermore Trail.

 

For related trail information, please visit AllTrails.

Norway Rapids

[WVAIA] – EASY

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This trail leads to a unique section of Avalanche Brook with scenic rapids and a perfect trough of deep water that was a favorite swimming hole of early visitors to Waterville Valley. It begins off Livermore Road and within minutes one encounters the rapids and the famous swimming hole. Crossing the brook is almost always difficult, especially in high water. From the brook, it wanders through a mature hardwood forest with good footing and very little ascending. It ends at a junction with Lower Snows Mountain X-C Ski Trail, and from there, hikers often turn right, cross a substantial bridge over Cascade Brook, and connect with the Cascade Path on the other side.

Old Skidder Trail

[WVAIA] - MODERATE

Purchase Maps

This is an infrequently hiked trail that passes through a breezy conifer forest at the northern edge of the valley. Used primarily as a link in a loop with Irenes Path and Livermore Trail, this hike climbs a short distance out of the ravine between Flume Peak and the Scaur Ridge to a height of land, offering fine woodland views. The trail begins somewhat steeply at first, passing a slab of exposed rock on the right. In the spring, fall and winter there are fine views of Painted Cliff on East Peak looking back as you ascend. It soon gains level ground on an old skidder path. About 2/3 of the way along the trail, it turns abruptly to the right (east), and leaves the old roadbed as it rises up and connects with Livermore Trail.

Sandwich Mountain Trail

[WVAIA] – DIFFICULT

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This is a long hike with several steep sections, and because of its overall length. The views along the way are exceptionally good to the north. The trail begins at the Drakes Brook lot off Route 49. Walk south adjacent to the town electrical station and enter the woods on the left. It immediately crosses Drakes Brook, which is usually difficult and especially so in high water. The trail ascends straight up the flank of Noon Peak and is often steep and rocky. Once past Noon Peak, which has excellent views to the north, it levels off somewhat, passes along an exposed rock ledge with great views, and soon passes Drakes Brook Trail coming in from the left. Five minutes later, Jennings Peak spur path diverges right. It’s then another hour up to the summit. Although not as steep as the beginning of the hike, the trail is rocky and climbs steadily. It is walled-in by thick evergreens. A half-mile below the summit, the Smarts Brook Trail enters from the right, followed by the Algonquin Trail entering from the right just below the summit.

 

For related trail information, please visit AllTrails.

Scaur Ridge Trail (Retired)

[WVAIA]– MODERATE

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This trail has been retired. The upper portion of it, from the junction with the former Kettles Path (now Irene’s Path) to the Scaur overlook, has been renamed as part of Irene’s Path. The portion below this junction running down to the Mad River has been closed.

Timber Camp Trail

This trail follows an old logging road that is well-built and relatively wide for most of its length, ascending an eastern shoulder of Mount Osceola, with good views of Painted Cliff. The final destination is the site of an old logging camp with views of the valley’s eastern peaks. It begins left off the Greeley Ponds Trail, ascending a long gradual traverse, and then switches back abruptly to the left. Look for the yellow blazes. Not long after that, it switches back again, passes a great hillside of sand and gravel (good views), and continues at a somewhat steeper pitch. As you near the end, the trail dips down to a rocky little brook crossing, and then not long after that, crosses the discharge of a spring. It then enters a gravelly clearing with a cairn marking the end of the trail.

 

For related trail information, please visit AllTrails.

Tri-Town Trail

​[WMNF]- EASY

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This hike is used primarily as a loop trail with the lower section of the Smarts Brook Trail. From the parking lot on Route 49, follow the Smarts Brook Trail for 10 minutes, and then bear right off the logging roadbed at the sign for the Tri-Town Trail. The trail is a long loop characterized by steady inclines and good footing, that leads to a clearing at a height of land. It then descends gradually back to the Smarts Brook Trail. To make a loop back to the parking lot, take a left at the end of the Tri-Town Trail onto the Smarts Brook Trail, and continue gradually downhill for 35 minutes.

 

For related trail information, please visit AllTrails.

Yellow Jacket Trail

[WMNF] – EASY

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This hike connects the Smarts Brook Trail with the Pine Flats Trail, often used as the middle link in a loop route. It begins at the end of the Pine Flats Trail, ascending gradually and eventually crossing Smarts Brook on a bridge. It soon ends at a junction with the Smarts Brook Trail.

 

For related trail information, please visit AllTrails.

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