Brook crossings

[packdan]

Hi
I'm planning a dayhike for next monday.My 2 choices are:1- Passaconaway and Whiteface from Kancamagus.
2-Wildcats from Pinkham Notch.

I was wondering if the brook crossings on the Oliverian and Passaconaway Cutoff are managable.

Also,do you think climbing the Wildcats from Pinkham Notch risky ?

Thanks
Danny

 

[--M.]

So sad when people don't get any response!

Can't help on the crossings, but can say this about Wildcat:
There are a few exposed, steep sections on the E ascent that would be dangerous if icy or wet. There are only three or four, but they are objective risks.

Good luck!

 

[lx93]

Can't say about the ascent up Wildcat E, but from Wildcat D I descended down the ski trails, Polecat I think, w/ no problem. I do know that when I was considering ascending E, lots of people had recommended to me taking a crossing about 1(?) mile North of the Glen-something brook crossing despite the extra mileage.

As for Whiteface/Passaconaway, I did them in August 2005, and don't recall any problem crossings.

If I may make a suggestion, if this is for the 48 peaks, why not bag the 2 Tri-Pyramids? Since you're already that far in, it's not too much more mileage, and Sabbaday Falls is kind of nice- it's a waterfall that makes a 90 degree turn.

 

[marty]

Not sure if this helps, but Ray and I did Hedgehog and Potash Mountains today, which are just north of Passaconaway. We noticed that Downe's Brook was running very high, so we took an alternative roadway to avoid the stream crossing on the Potash Mt. Trail. Not sure if we really could have done the stream crossing without wading. All the minor streams on the east end part of the Hedgehog loop were running pretty good, but all very passable.

The Swift River and all the streams flowing along the east side of the Kancamangus Highway all had lots of water in them. My guess is that major stream crossings in the area are probably difficult right now.

Marty

 

[bikehikeskifish]

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nh/nwis/uv/?site_no=01074520&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060

Shows the Pemi, East Branch, is running about average for this time of year (259cfs). Of course, you need the experience of looking at the report, and correlating it to your experience hiking that day, to make an accurate prediction, but I suspect the streams are not too bad. The Merrimack River in Andover, MA is not ripping -- I rode my MTB through Deer Jump yesterday and places which were impassable last week were dry.

HTH,
Tim

 

[bryan]

you could always approach whiteface and passaconaway from the south at ferncroft road via blueberry ledge and diceys mill trails. depending on conditions the ledges on whiteface may be tricky, but it would eliminate the water crossing problems of an approach from the kanc.

bryan

 

[sapblatt]

Also not sure if this helps, but doing the Hancock's on Saturday the streams were at reasonable levels - 6-18 inches deep. The problem is that the warm weather is making the ice on top very unstable and not good for walking on. The best solution would be a week of cold temps that do not go up and down every couple of days...
I would guess you would be in for similar conditions unless the weather changes this week.

 

[forestgnome]

I don't think you'd have any problems with crossings hiking from the Kancamagus end of the Oliverian Brook Tr. Sabaday Falls Trail and Downes Brook Trail have many tricky crossings, but I don't think the Oliverian Brook Trail has any tricky ones.

Sapblatt, how's you head after that fall? Hope you're ok.

Happy Trails

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

I don't think you'd have any problems with crossings hiking from the Kancamagus end of the Oliverian Brook Tr. Sabaday Falls Trail and Downes Brook Trail have many tricky crossings, but I don't think the Oliverian Brook Trail has any tricky ones.

Sapblatt, how's you head after that fall? Hope you're ok.

Happy Trails

I agree that the crossings on the Downes Brook Trail are some of the most difficult in the Whites this time of year. At least you know what you are facing at the first crossing about a mile up the trail, as it is probably the toughest.

 

[packdan]

Re-Brook Crossings

Finally did the hike to Passaconaway and Whiteface.No problem crossing the brooks on the Oliverian Brook Trail.

Thanks everyone for th info.