Mt Tecumseh Trail Historical Question for long term hikers in the whites.

[peakbagger]

I am doing some research on the Mt Tecumseh trail. I can confirm it existed prior to the ski area being built somewhere in the late 1960's. I have been told in the past that the trail was relocated along the lower section at some point to get it off the ski trails and when hiking it, it definitely does look that way. Could someone familiar with hiking and trails in the waterville area confirm if the trail was relocated off the site of the new ski area and if so when?

Thanks

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Where was the old trailhead? Did it maybe follow the Pipeline XC ski trail from Livermore/Depot Camp?

Tim

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

I hiked it in late 1980s from the ski area, using the slopes. It started as the existing trail does, but where the current trail crosses the brook it continued parallel to the brook out to the ski slopes. That old trail can still be more or less followed.

It then went up the ski slope to where the outlook is, and entered the woods.

[Added]
From the 24th Edition of the WMG (1987):

Starting at the ski area parking lot the trail follows the south side of Tecumseh Brook for 0.4 miles, turns left up the bank, and comes out on the north edge of the ski slope, which it follows uphill for 80 yards. The trail enters the woods right and shortly returns to the north edge of the ski slopes, which it ascends with good views to the east. At a cairn and red arrow at 0.9 miles the trail goes right onto the woods on an old logging road, angling upwards along the south side of Tecumseh Brook valley ...

I had forgotten the short section in the woods before returning to the ski slopes
[/Added]

 

[rocket21]

Waterville Valley ski area opened in 1966.

The Mt. Tecumseh Trail has been moved around quite a few times. The original hiking trail from Waterville Valley (late 1800s if I recall) likely ran along the ridge on the north side of the Tecumseh Brook.

The trail was apparently moved around a few times throughout the twentieth century due to logging.

Two ski trails were built in the 1930s, which may or may not have been near a portion of today's trail in a section or two.

A lower portion of the trail was relocated in 1991 according to Steve Smith/Mike Dickerman's 4,000 footer book. The former route can be still followed, as noted by Mohamed. There are blazes on the snowmaking pipes near were it entered and left the ski slopes (it follows the brook, then enters a ski slope, then goes back into the woods on an old logging road, then re-enters the slopes at the bottom of Lower Tippy and follows the slopes up to the viewpoint spur.

A lower portion (adjacent to the brook) was relocated in 2011 due to an Irene washout.

 

[peakbagger]

Thanks for the info. I guess I will go looking through my map collection. The 1991 relocation is interesting. I think I actually hiked it in the winter just about that time.

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Thanks for the extra details, Jeremy!

And also a general thanks for your work on my favorite trail

 

[RoySwkr]

In an earlier discussion, a well-known grid finisher who is quite familiar with Tecumseh said the short section parallel to the ski trail had apparently been absorbed into the ski trail widening. I tried to follow the lower section a couple years ago but too many deadfalls and herd paths to be sure I was in the right place.

 

[rocket21]

In an earlier discussion, a well-known grid finisher who is quite familiar with Tecumseh said the short section parallel to the ski trail had apparently been absorbed into the ski trail widening. I tried to follow the lower section a couple years ago but too many deadfalls and herd paths to be sure I was in the right place.

The first section of the old route is still herd pathy, (part of it washed out during Irene, another part earlier), but someone has sort of maintained it, so it's generally followable. Prior to this year, the start of the reroute (at the first Tecumseh Brook crossing) wasn't always obvious, so many hikers ended up on it accidentally. The start has now been brushed in and an arrow sign installed, to hopefully cut back on the accidental use and unofficial (accidental?) maintenance.

The middle portion of the old route is used as a natural snow chute by skiers, so it tends to be clear.

If you know where to look, there are hints of other re-routes, including a very old arrow sign that doesn't otherwise serve a purpose on today's route.

Also of interest, Tecumseh was once accessed hiked from Welch Mountain, predating the Waterville side trails.

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

An earlier thread on the old trail: Mt. Tecumseh, old trail and service road.

 

[Amicus]

Also of interest, Tecumseh was once accessed hiked from Welch Mountain, predating the Waterville side trails.

I hiked what must be the south 70% or so of that old trail, from Welch to the summit of Green Mtn., two years ago, and my companion had previously hiked the other 30%, from there to Tecumseh. It was a more or less distinct herd-path throughout. The unnamed summit south of Green Mtn. on that old map ("x3312" on Nat Geo Topo) is now named "Foss Mtn." according to at least one source.

 

[MadRiver]

this might help: http://docs.unh.edu/NH/plym28ne.jpg

1928 map.

http://docs.unh.edu/nhtopos/nhtopos.htm

 

[erugs]

There was another trail, one that went up from Tripoli Road, just west of the location of the Tecumseh Trail, joining in near the outlook, if memory (of seeing it on a map) is true. I have wondered if that can be followed?

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

this might help: http://docs.unh.edu/NH/plym28ne.jpg

1928 map.

Fascinating ... shows trail on ridge north of brook.

 

[rocket21]

Just to clarify, I added some old guide book descriptions of the Tecumseh Trail. Things seemed to change in the 1930s (but the AMC maps from that era may have some potential inaccuracies due to logging and ski trail activity).

The rerouted version, off the ridge, seemed to take the Mt. Tecumseh Trail name (adding "Mt.").

http://www.franklinsites.com/losthikingtrails/viewtrail.php?id=76