Great White Adventure - Waterville Valley

[Pete Hogan]

GREAT WHITE ADVENTURE – Waterville Valley
Overview

Plans are finalized for this year’s hiking adventure to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The trip involves 5 days (4 hike days and 1 zero day), multiple summits, accumulative ascents greater than 12,000 feet and over 37 total hiking miles.

Our group has been visiting the White Mountains each summer since 2003. As the trip organizer, my experience includes nearly thirty years of Northeast hiking. I am a retired physical education teacher who specialized in adventure education and high ropes course work. As an ADK 46er (22 W), NH 35/48, NE 86/115 and former trip leader for the Glens Falls, NY Chapter of ADK, I currently enjoy returning to my favorite summits in addition to planning and participating in outings that bring together a co-ed group of hiking friends (40 - 60 years of age).

Our New Hampshire experience includes: a day hike from Galehead Hut over the Bonds; a 4-day traverse of the Presidential Range with overnights at Madison, Lakes of the Clouds and Mizpah Spring Huts; a trek from Lincoln through the Twins with overnights at Greenleaf and Galehead Huts; and a traverse of the Wildcat and Carter Ranges with overnights at Joe Dodge Lodge and Carter Notch Hut.

Of particular importance is our primary concern with individual and group safety. We believe this is best achieved through group cooperation, mutual respect and a hiking pace that is only as quick as the slowest hiker. We insist on hiking together for the entire hike (start to finish) so we would welcome others willing to respect and comply with our protocols. That is why the group's chemistry is extremely important. Here is a general idea of our group's hiking pace.

Our hiking pace (on average) is 2.5 MPH for each mile traveled and 1 MPH for each 1000 feet of elevation gain. For example, Algonquin Peak from Heart Lake; 8 miles RT = 3.5 hours of hike time; 2938 feet of ascent = 3 hours hike time. The round trip hike time (excluding rest/snack, photo ops, summit time) would be approximately 6.5 hours.

Our hikes are relaxed but purposeful with occasional rest stops (more on ascent than descent), snack breaks, quality summit time (when possible), photo ops along the way and generally longer ascent time than descent time. We cover a lot of distance and summits as a group and retreat only if a member's health is in jeopardy or severe weather causes safety concerns. We have a great time enjoying the mountains as much as each other’s company!

We have limited openings for this year’s Waterville Valley trip.
If you are interested in learning more about any aspect of these outings, feel free to post a reply to this thread or contact me.

Additional trip details are included in the next post, GREAT WHITE ADVENTURE – Waterville Valley - Trip Details.

 

[Pete Hogan]

Great White Adventure - Waterville Valley - Trip Details

GREAT WHITE ADVENTURE
Waterville Valley
Dates: July 6-10, 2009

This year’s hiking trip is a four-day hike plan within five days that include 7, 4000’ summits, a total of 37 miles of hiking over four days, with accumulative ascents of 12,000’ in approximately 32 hours of hike time.

Four consecutive day hikes involving multiple 4000’ mountains are challenging and successive good weather days are rare in the mountains so a zero day in the plan is an appropriate contingency. The extra day can be used as a rain day reschedule, an R & R day or an additional hike day.

The mountains are: Mt. Tecumseh (4003’), North Tripyramid (4180’), Middle Tripyramid (4140’), Osceola (4340’), East Osceola (4156’), Mt. Whiteface (4020’) and Mt. Passaconaway (4043’). Six of the seven summits are “paired” which means we can hike two peaks in one reasonable-length day hike.

Our lodging will be at the Gilcrest Motel and Cottages, 2378 US Route 3 - Thornton, NH 03285 - just north of exit 29, I-93. Please see:
http://www.gilcrestcottages.com/

Meals will not be part of the lodging package this year so we will be responsible for all our food. Trail lunches, snacks and beverages will be each individual’s responsibility.

Please be prepared for additional expenses.
Transportation costs will be divided equally between people sharing vehicles. We will also divide the cost of White Mountain National Forest parking permits ($5.00 each - one per vehicle) between the members.

Trip Overview (subject to change depending on what’s happening!)

Day 1: July 6, 2009
Drive and Mt. Tecumseh hike

Drive to New Hampshire - lunch while traveling
· Arrive at Gilcrest Cottages 10:30 – 11:00AM (check-in, unpack)
· Leave Gilcrest Cottages by 11:30 AM
· Drive to Mt. Tecumseh trail head @ ski area
(All Cars with WMNF Parking Permits)

· The trail begins at the top edge of the parking area well to the right of the main lodge (as you face it).

Note: Mt. Tecumseh can be hiked as a traverse starting from the ski area and ending on Tripoli Road. If this option is selected two cars will be needed as will extra time for spotting cars.

· Return to Gilcrest Cottages (freshen-up)
· Dinner @ local restaurant
· Return to Gilcrest Cottages, re-supply and pack for the next hike day.

Day 1 Hike Totals:
5.0 miles, 2200’ ascent, 3:30 – 4:30 hrs. BT+
Tecumseh Traverse: 5.6 m, 2400’ ascent, 4:00 – 5:00 hrs. BT+


Day 2: July 7, 2009
Mt. Tripyramid Loop
NOTE: The daily weather forecast will determine the order of each day trip. Top priority will be given to the Tripyramid hike (due to the exposed slide ascent). If the forecast is less than favorable and the decision is to postpone Tripyramid for an improved forecast, any day’s hike plan can be selected as an alternative.

If the Tripyramid Loop is planned
· Breakfast @ local restaurant 6:30 AM
· Drive to Livermore trailhead.
(All Cars with WMNF Parking Permits)

"The Tripyramid Loop is usually completed from north to south in order to ascend the steep rock slabs of the North Slide and descend the loose gravel of the South Slide. Descent of the North Slide is more difficult than ascent and may be particularly daunting to hikers who have difficulty or lack of experience on steep rock. Ascent of the South Slide can be frustrating because of constant backsliding on the loose gravel. Caution: The steep rock slabs of the North Slide are dangerous in wet or icy conditions.

· Begin (8:00 - 8:30 AM) on the Livermore Trail to a hairpin turn to the left @ 3.6 m; here the northern part of the Mt. Tripyramid Trail diverges right toward the peaks via the North Slide.
· Continue on the Tripyramid Trail crossing Avalanche Brook until arriving at the gravel outwash of the North Slide .5 m from the Livermore Trail.
· Follow paint blazes (often faint and sparse) to the open slabs, Views become steadily more extensive.
· Higher up the route ascends the right-hand track of the slide almost to the top then turns sharply left at a cairn.
· Continue to climb steeply for .1 m to the junction where the Pine Bend Brook Trail enters from the left 20 yards below the summit of North Tripyramid (4180’).
· From the North Tripyramid summit descend moderately on the Mt. Tripyramid/Pine Bend Brook Trail. The Sabbaday Brook Trail enters from the left as the Pine Bend Brook Trail ends.
· Continue on the Tripyramid Trail crossing the saddle between North and Middle Peaks and climb steeply to the summit cone of Middle Tripyramid (4140’). There is an outlook to the right of the trail near the true summit that is a few yards left at the high point of the trail.
· Descend to the saddle between Middle and South Peak and ascend moderately to the summit of South Peak (4090’)
· Descend from the South Peak summit steeply reaching the top of the South Slide. The Kate Sleeper Trail diverges left at a sign.
· As the slide is descended, loose gravel increases. At the bottom of the slide the trail turns right following old logging roads, crossing several small brooks and joins the Livermore Trail 2.6 m from the Livermore Road parking area.
· Continue on the Livermore Trail to return to public parking.
· Return to Gilcrest Cottages (freshen-up)
· Dinner @ local restaurant
· Return to Gilcrest Cottages, re-supply and pack for next hike day

Day 2 Hike Totals:
11.1 miles, 3000’ ascent, 2250’ descent, 8:00 – 9:00 hrs. BT+


Day 3: July 8, 2009
Mt. Osceola (4340’) and Mt. Osceola East Peak (4156’)
(NOTE: The daily weather forecast will determine the order of each day trip. Top priority will be given to the Tripyramid hike (due to the exposed slide ascent). If the forecast is less than favorable and the decision is to postpone Tripyramid for an improved forecast, any day’s hike plan can be selected as an alternative.)

If the Osceola hike is scheduled
· Breakfast @ local restaurant (6:30 AM)
· Drive to Mt. Osceola trail head parking on Tripoli Rd (FR 30)
(All Cars with WMNF Parking Permits)
· Follow Mt. Osceola Trail up a series of switchbacks reaching the summit ledge of Mount Osceola (4340’) at 3.2 miles with “magnificent” views. There is a good outlook to the north from small ledge on a short side path that begins at the old fire tower site located in the woods W of the open ledge.
· Descend from the summit to a very steep chimney that can be avoided by a detour to the left (N).
· Continue through the pass between Mt. Osceola and East Osceola and climb moderately with some steep pitches (outlook on left) to the summit of East Osceola (4156’).
· Return to the Mt. Osceola summit via same route
1.0 m, 550’ ascent, :50 mins. BT+
· Descend from the Mt. Osceola summit to Tripoli Road via the same route
3.2 m, 2050’ descent, 2:00 hrs. BT+
· Return to Gilcrest Cottages (freshen-up)
· Dinner @ local restaurant
· Return to Gilcrest Cottages, re-supply and pack for next hike day

Day 3 Hike Totals:
8.4 m, 2950’ ascent, 6:30 – 7:30 hrs. BT+


Day 4: July 9, 2009
Mt. Whiteface (4020’) and Mt. Passaconaway (4043’) Loop
(NOTE: The daily weather forecast will determine the order of each day trip. Top priority will be given to the Tripyramid hike (due to the exposed slide ascent). If the forecast is less than favorable and the decision is to postpone Tripyramid for an improved forecast, any day’s hike plan can be selected as an alternative.)

If the Mt. Whiteface/Mt. Passaconaway hike is scheduled
· Breakfast @ local restaurant (6:30 AM)
· Drive to the Ferncroft Road public parking (Wonalancet,NH)
(All Cars with WMNF Parking Permits)
· From the parking area, return to Ferncroft Road and follow it to Squirrel Bridge at 0.3 mile.
· The Dicey’s Mill Trail continues straight.
· Turn left on the Blueberry Ledge Trail, cross the bridge and follow a private gravel road. The trail diverges left into the woods where the road curves right toward the last house.
· Continue on the Blueberry Ledge Trail to the south summit ledges of Mt. Whiteface and the junction of the Rollins/McCrillis Trail junctions.
· Continue on the Rollins Trail descending into a steep col, passing the junction of the Kate Sleeper Trail and ascend the final .3-mile to the true summit of Mt. Whiteface (4020’) – no marking.
· Continue on the Rollins Trail descending gradually with occasional steep pitches through a deep pass before angling upward to the junction of the Dicey’s Mill Trail.
· Turn left on the Dicey’s Mill Trail to a junction of the east loop.
· Turn left and remain on the Dicey’s Mill Trail passing a side trail to Camp Rich climbing steeply with wide switchbacks to the junction of the Walden Trail.
· Turn right on a spur path for another 40 yards for the summit of Mt. Passaconaway (4043’) and south overlook (just beyond the summit).
· Descend from Mt. Passaconaway summit via the Dicey’s Mill Trail and continue all the way back to Ferncroft Road parking.
· Return to Gilcrest Cottages (freshen-up)
· Dinner @ local restaurant
· Return to Gilcrest Cottages, re-supply and pack for next hike day.

Day 4 Hike Totals:
12.2 m, 3120’ ascent, 9:30 – 10:30 hrs. BT+

Day 5: July 10, 2009
Options:
· Hike Mt. Tecumseh (if not completed on Day 1) and drive home.
· Hike any other planned day hikes not completed and drive home.
· Sleep in, relaxed morning, lunch together and drive home.

 

[MadRiver]

One point, you do not need a WMNF pass to park at the ski area. You will need one to park on the Tripoli road, however. You can also avoid the north slide by taking the Scaur Ridge Trail. At the hairpin turn take the left and follow the logging road about ¼ and the Scaur Ridge Trail will be on your right. It is a gentle trail with excellent views of the north slide. Have fun.

 

[Pete Hogan]

Thanks

MadRiver,

Thanks for the heads-up on the WMNF parking. I always purchase enough passes for each vehicle in our group, but figuring out where they apply is sketchy so we just have them on the car dash at any trail head we use.

I appreciate your assistance.