Trails Used
Beeline, Brook, Champney Falls
Trail Conditions
Notes
Trails in fine condition. No troubles crossing any water. The slabs after Beeline meets Brook were a little slick in places, but mostly dry. Coming down Champney there were some patches of black ice that caused some slips. Colors just post peak.
Parking
Plenty of room still at 8:30 am.
Water Crossings
Several easy crossings between Liberty trailhead and start of Beeline.
Also on this trip
Trails Used
Champney Brook Trail, Bolles Trail, Brook Trail, Liberty Trail, Piper Trail, Middle Sister Trail, Champney Falls Cutoff
Trail Conditions
Notes
Gorgeous time of year and a great day for a white mountain hike. Fall colours are certainly in peak in the mountains! Overall, very good trail conditions. For the most part, trails were dry and pretty easy to follow. Bolles tr definitely sees less traffic than the others, but it is still mostly marked well and maintained. Leaf litter is starting to become a slight issue in covering up rocks and roots, but we haven't reached peak leaf litter yet. As a little reminder, it is starting to significantly cool down in the mountains. Saturday night it froze, and Sunday morning was quite chilly, and the summit was also quite cool with a stiff breeze, so make sure to pack extra layers. Besides that, not much else to report - great trail conditions, low water levels, what more could you ask for?
Parking
Paved lot off the Kanc (rt. 112) for Champney Brook tr. About 1/2 full by 8:15am, full with many people parked on the side of the road by 3:30pm. Brook tr. has a lot for about 10 cars at the end of a dirt road.
Water Crossings
Many brook crossings on the Bolles Trail and one on Champney Brook Trail. All of these were easy to rock hop as water levels are very low this fall.
Wildlife
None!!
Trails Used
Liberty Trail
Trail Conditions
Notes
Another visit to Chocorua, mainly to check on the relocations for the next White Mountain Guide. Thanks to everyone involved in this project, great work! It was pretty smooth sailing up to the cabin, where things start to get more interesting. I also took the spur path down to the spring. I could have sworn there was a "water" sign at the cabin itself but it wasn't there today and the start of the path wasn't obvious. The first sign is encountered after the path begins to descent through the woods. The spring itself had a meager flow from yesterday's rain but the pool was full enough to keep you alive (after filtering). Some ledges in the woods remained wet but out in the open the wind has dried things out. Definitely breezy and cool up top but not crazy and the south side of the summit provides good shelter. Million dollar views as always!
Parking
Plenty at the end of Paugus Rd. in Tamworth.
Wildlife
Nope!
Trails Used
Liberty Trail
Trail Conditions
Notes
This was a two day, not really necessary to put up a report for yesterday. We hiked to the Jim Liberty Cabin, "made our beds (put thermarest and sleeping bags on bunks. Went a little further on the trail to see the sunset. Today, we were up for the sunrise and then went to the summit. I Very good trail, eroded in some areas. There are a few tricky ledges, just take your time.
Parking
Big lot, but fills up quickly
Water Crossings
Easy.
Wildlife
A few mosquitoes in the lower section.
Also on this trip
Trails Used
Champney Falls Trail, Piper Trail, Middle Sister Trail, Champney Falls Cutoff
Trail Conditions
Notes
Great morning hike for Codys 52WAV list. Most of the trails and ledges were dry, but there was one lower section that was a bit wet (wet rocks and water running on trail). We arrived at the summit before the crowds; there were only a 4 others. There was at least one camp bus full of kids, and multiple other parties approaching as we left the summit. Of course, no one was on Middle Sister with us. Views were pretty good, could see for many miles.
Parking
Plenty of space in the lot today both at start and end of hike.
Water Crossings
Step overs
Also on this trip
Trails Used
Champney Falls Trail, Champney Falls Loop, Piper Trail, Liberty Trail, Westside Trail, Middle Sister Trail, Champney Falls Cutoff
Trail Conditions
Notes
This is a nice hike, I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this route. Kiki and her dog Pepper had not done it since she was a kid at camp. Not much water coming down the brook but the rocks and stone steps were still a lot of fun to see. we were surprised how few people were out hiking early but we did meet a young couple on their way down after watching the sun rise. The summit cone's faded yellow blazes are still a big help and the Forest Service should really repaint them since there are no rocks to build cairns. On the summit a twit was sitting on the high point and wasn't interested in moving. Only a dozen people were on the summit ledges. There was a nice breeze up high. (When I was on a high school outing club trip many moons ago I flew a baby bat kite on the summit.) We descended the Liberty Trail and took the West Side Trail back to avoid the masses that were headed up now. Plus it was in the shade--good for us and Pepper the dog. We decided to visit Middle Sister and the views from this trail to Chocorua the best. The stone foundation of the old fire tower is still standing. We enjoyed this hike and with the exception of the summit cone, the trails are gentle with good footing.
Parking
Parking lot only half full at 8:30. Trail stewards were nice and remarked they didn't know why they arrive so early since experienced hikers are the only ones that show up early. Note to self 8:30 is considered early :)
Water Crossings
Easily rock hop-able
Wildlife
none that I can remember
Also on this trip
Trails Used
Piper Trail , Nickerson Ledge Trail, Carter Ledge Trail, Middle Sister Trail
Trail Conditions
Notes
Great weather to hike up to Middle Sister and Mount Chocorua. Met a lot of great and friendly hikers along the way. The Carter Ledges were lots of fun and a good challenge.
Parking
Parked at the Piper Trailhead.
Water Crossings
All water crossings were very easy.
Wildlife
Saw only a couple mosquitos and one fly. No bites today!
Trails Used
Champney Falls, Piper
Trail Conditions
Notes
Great day in the woods with Eric R
Wildlife
Black flies oh my
Also on this trip
Trails Used
Champney Falls, Piper
Trail Conditions
Notes
Trail is wet, wet, wet
Parking
First one there just before 8 am! Parking couldn't have been easier.
Water Crossings
Two easy to cross, two a bit more spicy. Some people took their shoes off and waded, some did some sketchy (partially submerged) rock hopping. Poles helped a lot.
Wildlife
Bugs weren't too bad, surprisingly
Also on this trip
Trails Used
Bolles trail, Bushwhack, Bickford trail, Brook trail, Liberty trail, Westside trail, Piper trail, Middle Sister trail, Champney Falls cutoff, Champney Falls trail
Trail Conditions
Notes
A beautiful day with no wind and perfect temps to hang out on the summits. I only saw a handful of people out throughout the 13.5 miles and 4,100’. It took me 6 hours with long summit breaks. I hit the whack from the hol on Bolles and got lost in thick spruce, might not have found the jar without gps. Surprisingly nice views from ledges once I made my way there. Easier coming back. After summiting Chocorua I had planned to go down Beeline trail, but the top of Brook trail was indeed terrifying to think of descending, and there were passing showers in between sunshine. The rock was a bit slippery in the shade, but dry at the top. I decided to take Champney down, which I was able to run most of, it’s such a moderate grade. I stopped at Pitcher Falls too which was lovely.
Parking
Fee area but I have an annual pass.
Water Crossings
Too many to count. Two crossings on Bickford trail were tricky submerged rock hops, but I have long legs and I found a way without taking my boots off.
Wildlife
A few mosquitos, only noticed them in the parking lot.
Trails Used
Champney Brook Trail, Champney Falls Cut-Off, Piper Trail
Trail Conditions
Notes
Beautiful day on Chocorua. Probably goes without saying, but this route is 100% winter free at this point. Amazing how quickly everything is coming back to life!
Parking
A dozen cars when we got there at 8:30, full lot upon return at 1. Turns out there was a large group (maybe about 20?) that met up early in the morning which was the majority of the cars we saw upon arrival.
Water Crossings
All 3 were able to be rock-hopped without issue.
Wildlife
Very little bug activity, which was a very pleasant surprise.
Trails Used
Nickerson Ledge, Piper, Liberty, Hammond, Weetamoo
Trail Conditions
Notes
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/new-hampshire/mount-chocorua-loop-trail Everyone does Cohocorua via piper trail (guilty). But this loop trail was much less traveled and an excellent loop. Great views on the northern ridge section. I had never been by or seen Liberty cabin. Thats cool, worth checking out. Who knew? Brought microspikes. Didn't wear. Only lingering monorail was within .2mi section on the piper trail approaching summit north face. Easily sidestepped. Leave traction at home, for this trail.
Parking
Good shape. Sedan accessible.
Water Crossings
Only crossing of note was at bottom of Wetamoo where chocoura river crossing is. Easy to stay dry on obvious rock hops.
Wildlife
Not yet. Soon.
Trails Used
Bolles Trail, Bee Line Trail, Brook Trail, Liberty Trail, Piper Trail, Champney Falls Trail
Trail Conditions
Equipment
Notes
This was a long loop: South on Bolles Trail, up Bee Line Trail to Brook Trail, and down Champney Falls Trail. It was 10 miles round trip. There were patches of snow around the height of land on Bolles Trail. There was a bit of ice on Brook Trail, but the sketchy ledges were ice-free. The Chocorua summit area is also mostly free of ice. I didn't put on my spikes until I was descending Champney Falls Trail. There's a decent monorail from around 2500 feet to the top of Champney Falls Trail. Rock spikes are recommended. Chocorua was in and out of the clouds while I was up there. It was awesome watching the clouds race from Chocourua to Middle Sister, and there was no one else on the summit. That's a first for me.
Parking
Parked at the Champney Falls trailhead. The bathrooms were open.
Water Crossings
Bolles Trail crosses Twin Brook 10 times. Twin Brook was relatively high, but the crossings weren't too bad. Champney Falls Trail crosses Champney Brook twice. I got wet feet on one of those crossings. This time of year it's a good idea to have a plan B in case recent storms produce a dangerous amount of runoff. I didn't have to use plan B today, but you never know.
Trails Used
Champney Falls Trail, Piper Trail
Trail Conditions
Equipment
Notes
Stacy and I ran back our “Meet me in the Woods” move and planned to meet at the Champney/Piper Junction. She came up Piper. I came up Champney, we hit the sign within 5 minutes of each other, military precision. Being that Champney is on the northern aspect I packed my spikes and was happy I did. Spotty snow/ice starting around 1400 feet and then just below the switchbacks around 2400 feet you will be dealing with it until treeline. I barebooted the whole way up, to the horror of my new friends Scott and Will. It was a fun game of hopscotch risk assessment. Jokes aside, there was zero chance I wasn’t putting spikes on for the descent. There’s a couple spots of slanted, hard water ice where you’d actually want a real crampon if you chose to stay right down the middle of the trail. So that being said, be mindful of where you are stepping, especially in Kathoola micros or rockspikes. Zero need for snowshoes, those can stay home. Great day out there sneaking some miles in before the rain. Stacy barebooted Piper both ways, though it sounded like she needed to make some careful steps in a few spots so it can’t hurt to have some traction in the bag.
Parking
Plenty of parking. Bathroom open. Bring $5.
Water Crossings
All 3 major crossings were hop-able. With a little thought you can mostly keep your feet dry.
Wildlife
A few ufos were buzzing around. We kept it Gen-Z casual and respected each other’s personal space without making eye contact or discussion.
Trails Used
Brook and Liberty
Trail Conditions
Notes
Just a few brief showers on this beautiful day with clouds below and views in all directions, including a domed cloud over Mt Washington. Wet ledges exciting to navigate. No videos were taken of creative ways down an exciting slab on Liberty Trail - frontal clinging, crouching tiger, butt slipping to name just a few in our group of six. While every type of trail condition was present - dry ground, mud, running water, ice, pockets of snow, all were easily navigated. The wet slabs were the sobering challenge of the day but we made it with dignity and all body parts intact.
Parking
Fine. Last mile of gravel road a bit rutted but passable by low car.
Water Crossings
Passable
Wildlife
Still snoozing
Trails Used
Champney Falls Trail, Piper Trail
Trail Conditions
Equipment
Notes
Beautiful day for Chocorua. Woke up to barely an inch of fluff in Lincoln, which was a poor indicator of what had actually happened elsewhere overnight. Stacy and I had already planned to give the roads some time. Coming from different sides of the world, the plan was for me to ascend from my side on Champney and her to ascend from her side on Piper. We met at the junction within 3 minutes of each other, not too shabby. Trails had a fresh 4-6 with some ice hiding underneath which made for challenging footing. Snow was wet down low, less dense up high. People were in a mix of snowshoes and spikes, pick your poison as everything changes day to day at this point. To the best of my knowledge, Coach and one other guy barebooted Piper. On Champney there were 3 people in misery slippers and two of us in spikes. No tracks to Middle Sister or down the falls loop on my way out. Summit cone was drifty in some places, icy in others. When you come out of the trees make sure you go right. We met a guy retreating after a failed summit attempt, do not follow his tracks to the left. Offered to show him the way but he was cold, wet, and burned out from his adventure. Great chatting with Denny for a few minutes up on the summit.
Parking
Parking lot was already plowed at 930.
Water Crossings
All 3 crossings were rock-hopable
Wildlife
Nada