elvios lincoln
New member
I stopped climbing Chocorua, many years ago, for many reasons. On Saturday I went back. I tried a new route and it is back on my list of great hkes, (that dont count).
The Piper trail parking lot is now a WMNF lot and no longer subject to a private toll. The Piper trail itself should be avoided at all costs, but this is where we park.
Take the Piper trail as far as the Nickerson Ledge Trail and take that to the Carter ledge trail. (Note the Jack Pines on Carter Ledge). From Carter ledge onward almost the entire hike is a long ledgy ridge walk. You get to climb the Three Sisters and follow the ridge up to Chocorua. From the summit take the Jim LibertyTrail until it hits the Hammond Trail. This will take you along the quiet South ridge. When you meet the Weetamo trail follow it back down a delightful wooded ridge, where it meets the the Piper trail, quite near the Parking lot.
We encountered no snow in the trail on the approximately 10 mile hike. Carter ledge will require a bit of care when wet.
Cool off with a swim at White Lake about 20 minutes south on Route 16.
EL
The Piper trail parking lot is now a WMNF lot and no longer subject to a private toll. The Piper trail itself should be avoided at all costs, but this is where we park.
Take the Piper trail as far as the Nickerson Ledge Trail and take that to the Carter ledge trail. (Note the Jack Pines on Carter Ledge). From Carter ledge onward almost the entire hike is a long ledgy ridge walk. You get to climb the Three Sisters and follow the ridge up to Chocorua. From the summit take the Jim LibertyTrail until it hits the Hammond Trail. This will take you along the quiet South ridge. When you meet the Weetamo trail follow it back down a delightful wooded ridge, where it meets the the Piper trail, quite near the Parking lot.
We encountered no snow in the trail on the approximately 10 mile hike. Carter ledge will require a bit of care when wet.
Cool off with a swim at White Lake about 20 minutes south on Route 16.
EL
