Whiteface and Passaconaway and Rain

Today I would be joining Jill, Larry and a new hiking friend Suzanne for a hike to Mount Whiteface (4,020') and Mount Passaconaway (4,043'). Our route would take us up the Blueberry Ledge Cutoff to the Blueberry Ledge Trail up the ledges of Whiteface then across the Rollins Trail to Dicey's Mill Trail and up to the summit of Passaconaway then back down Dicey's Mill Trail to the Ferncroft parking area.

After checking several weather reports it appeared there would be early morning showers followed by some clearing. Just before leaving the house the weather radar showed an area of showers moving off to the east. We had received no rain in the northern New Hampshire town where I live. As I made my way down through Gorham, NH the road was wet and there was light rain falling. This continued all the way to the Ferncroft parking area.

We met at 7:30 and as we made our way down the road to the trailhead the light rain continued. Once we got into the woods it was difficult to know if it was raining or the wet tree limbs were dripping on us. When we arrived at the Blueberry Ledge Trail junction which is in a clearing it was obvious that the light rain was still coming down with no signs of stopping.

Back in the woods again and we were quite wet by now between the light rain, trees dripping and sweat. We reached the ledges and it would be a careful ascent on the wet, slippery granite. I put away my trekking poles and was the first one up. The first ledge was steep and smooth. There was some handholds but some momentum was needed to keep from slipping. From there it was one set of challenging ledges after the next. We made it to the top without any mishaps and without any views.

We took a short break at the top of the ledges before moving across the Rollins Trail. We made a quick stop at the obscure summit of Mount Whiteface marked by a small cairn and summit stick. With light rain continuing to come down we were thoroughly and completely soaked by now. The temperature was holding in the 60's and the sweat definitely added to the wetness. Rain gear only held the moisture in. I wore a cheap poncho and it kept me at just about the right temperature, not too hot and not too cool. My waterproof jacket that I wore early was just too warm.

We reached the Dicey's Mill Trail and made a left turn toward the summit of Mount Passaconaway. There was one tricky wet ledge before reaching the summit. Once again there were no views from the outlook. We made a brief stop on the summit for some photos then it was all downhill from here.

There was an abundance of mushrooms along the trails today, even more it seemed along the Dicey's Mill Trail. We made a quick descent. Back at the Ferncroft parking area the rain had stopped, of course, the hike was over. While it was a steady light rain for most of the hike at least there were no heavy downpours. I had dry clothes to put on and didn't waste any time changing.

Thanks to Jill, Larry and Suzanne for a fun, wet day on the trail!

Enjoy the pics!

Chocorua Lake with Mount Chocorua in the clouds on the way to the hike

Ferncroft where the hike begins

The hiking trail starts here

LOTS of mushrooms along the trails on this hike

Large burl on a small tree

We arrive at the Blueberry Ledge Trail from the Blueberry Ledge Cutoff

A warm-up ledge before we get to the real ledges

Brief view of the day

Jill makes her way up some wet ledge

Suzanne carefully negotiates a ledge

Handholds required when climbing this section

Larry using hands and knees getting up over this ledge

And still more ledges

Here comes Larry

More wet ledge to climb

Last of the steep ledges

At the top of the ledges on Mount Whiteface

Summit stick on Mount Whiteface

Bluebead lily

No views at this outlook

Indian pipe

Slug on a 'shroom

Indian pipes on the summit of Passaconaway

Suzanne carefully making her way down a slippery ledge

The only water crossing was easily crossed

Many more mushrooms along the Dicey's Mill Trail

Black-eyed Susans

Thanks!

Back at Ferncroft after 8 wet hours

Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!