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Whiteface, Passaconaway NH 6-3-07
| Vital Stats |
| Peak: |
Whiteface |
| Peak altitude: |
4020' |
| Base altitude: |
1164' |
| Difference from base: |
2865' |
| Cumulative gain: |
3050' |
| Peak: |
Passaconaway |
| Peak altitude: |
4043' |
| Difference from base: |
2888' |
| Cumulative gain: |
4000' |
| Total time (Approx): |
7:00 RT |
| Total vertical gain: |
4000' |
| Total distance: |
11.9 mi RT |
| Trip Difficulty |
S3D4V5(15) Difficult |
| Trail(s) Taken |
Blueberry Ledge, Rollins tr, Dicey Mill tr |
TR By BigEarl (VFTT)
I really enjoy “Morning People”. At approximately 5:25am Early Bird and
Marchowes pulled into the driveway. We quickly transferred their stuff into the
truck and were off headed to Ferncroft Road in Wonalancet to hike Mount
Whiteface and Mount Passaconaway. I knew there was a possibility we would meet
up with dRitter at the trailhead lot. This became a definite when I received a
call from dRitter around when we were around Concord indicating he was on the
way to meet us. That completed the group for the day, Early Bird, Marchowes,
dRitter, and me – BIGEarl.
We arrived at the trailhead lot as planned at 7:30am. Everybody went about their
pre-hike preparations and we were off within a few minutes of arriving at the
trailhead lot. The plan was to hike the normal loop clockwise, Blueberry Ledges,
Rollins, and Dicey’s Mill. Plans are subject to change and this one was no
different. We needed to make a quick stop for water early (dRitter may explain)
and decided to take the Blueberry Ledges Cutoff to visit the Wonalancet River.
After a quick stop to filter some water we were off heading back to the
Blueberry Ledges Trail. Already, the temperature and humidity were both very
high. The sky was generally overcast and there was a heavy haze in all areas
which limited the views all day.
It’s tough for an old guy to hike with three race horses but I did my best to
keep up. I wasn’t handling the heat and humidity very well and made frequent
stops. Thanks to my hiking partners for their occasional stops to allow me to
catch up. We rejoined the Blueberry Ledges Trail and continued on to the bare
ledges high on the southwest side of Whiteface. The trail is in great shape.
Very few blowdowns still remain and those are easy to pass. Eventually reaching
the bare ledge slabs I packed my poles away for the early scramble. There were
some wet slab sections that made for very slippery conditions.
Approximately half way up the ledges we met JohnL (VFFT) headed the other way.
He started a little earlier than us heading the opposite direction on the loop.
Having already been over Passaconaway and Whiteface he was evidently trying to
be home in time for lunch. He’s fast!
I believe everybody cleared the ledges without and real problem. At the
viewpoint we stopped for a quick lunch and for me to recharge. After twenty to
thirty minutes we were off for the summit of Whiteface and then Passaconaway.
The majority of the hard work was behind us and I knew the hike would go better
from this point forward.
The Rollins Trail across Whiteface and on to Dicey’s Mill Trail was in
surprising condition. Barely enough ice to mention, some occasional mud pits but
easily skirted, and most blowdowns cleared from the trail. Early Bird and
Marchowes did some additional clearing along the way. We stopped on the “summit”
of Whiteface for a few pictures and continued across to Dicey’s Mill Trail. A
short distance after this trails junction is a stream where we made another
quick water stop. While there the sky opened up and it started to rain. Early
Bird pulled out her pack cover. Early Bird, Marchowes, and dRitter also donned
their rain gear. I just stepped back into the spruce and waited for the final
climb to the summit of Passaconaway. Soon the rain stopped and the heat and
humidity took control, and the rain gear was re-packed.
The first half of the trail to the summit is a relative mild series of long
switchbacks and then some steep rough sections lead to the summit area. Like the
other trails this one is in great shape – completely clear of blowdowns and dry.
We made our way to the viewpoint just short of the summit spur, took a few
pictures, and headed for the actual summit. After a few summit pictures in the
spruce we u-turned and headed back out on the Dicey’s Mill Trail.
The hike out was an easy downhill run to Ferncroft Road. Dicey’s Mill Trail was
completely clear all of the way out. Along the way there were Trilliums
everywhere. The two stream crossings were easily handled with dry feet – if you
wanted to have dry feet. I may have seen at least one in the group just charge
across one crossing. We didn’t push our pace too hard and managed to reach the
trailhead parking in two hours from the time we left the summit of Passaconaway.
There were quite a few hikers out enjoying the day. We met approximately a dozen
in the course of the hike and when returning to the trailhead lot we found it
full of vehicles. The forecasted thunderstorms never came through. Overall it
was a great day in the woods.
Thanks to Early Bird, Marchowes, and dRitter for a very enjoyable “book time”
hike.
Click Here for the Hike Map
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