Summits: North Tripyramid (4,180'), Middle Tripyramid (4,140')
Trail route: Pine Bend Brook Trail
Trail conditions: Mostly dry ground with some ice-coated rocks at higher elevations
Weather: Cool morning temps, clear blue sky and full sunshine
Total miles: 9.6
Total time: 6:30 hours
There was cool temps, clear skies and full sunshine in the forecast, spectacular weather for a Fall hike. Foliage is at or near peak and it would be a great day for leaf peeping along the trail. The drive this morning was dark almost to the trailhead when the sky started to brighten up. I was on the trail without needing the headlamp. It was definitely a cool, crisp morning and I was bundled up with three layers, gloves and warm hat. A good morning for breathing in that cool mountain air. It would not be until I got far up the trail before I would see the sun.
As I got up in elevation there was ice formations on the trail. A little further and I saw icicles hanging off the ledges I was passing by. When I arrived at the summit of North Tripyramid there was a large frozen puddle. So it was a cold morning! At the summit outlook there was not a cloud to be seen. Mount Washington was in the distance and it looked like the summit cone was coated in ice. A few pics and I was on my way to Middle Tripyramid.
It was a pleasant hike over to the next summit. There was a good view of Waterville Valley/Mount Tecumseh and the Osceolas. The foliage was looking spectacular! A few more steps and I was on the summit of Middle Tripyramid with a view to the east. I could see Mount Passaconaway and Mount Chocorua beyond that. There was not a cloud to be seen anywhere in the sky. I had the summit to myself but I could here hikers on their way up. A few photos and I stated my return trip to the trailhead.
I met many hikers on my way back to North Tripyramid. I didn't stop long on this summit before I started my descent, it was all downhill from here. The temperature was getting warmer as I hiked down the Pine Bend Brook Trail. On the steep sections of trail I was carefully stepping down over the rocks and ledges as some were slick . It was a great hike back out to the trailhead without any slips or falls.
Today turned out to be the beautiful Fall day that was in the forecast. It was a spectacular day to hike the Tripyramids!
Enjoy the photos!
The hike starts here from the Kancamagus Highway
Lots of burls on this trail
Water crossings not a problem
Berries and ferns
Fungus
Ice on the trail
Frozen mushroom
Icicles already starting to form
More frozen mushrooms
Frozen puddle on the North Tripyramid summit
View between the trees on North Tripyramid
Zooming into Mount Washington
View from North Tripyramid
Another view from North Tripyramid
On the summit of North Tripyramid
Sabbaday Brook Trail junction
Waterville Valley from middle Tripyramid
The Osceolas
View of the foliage down below
View to the east from Middle Tripyramid
Zooming into the summit of Mount Chocorua
New growth in an old blowdown area
Another frozen mushroom
Pitchy cones
Black shroom
Mossy entrance to someone's home
Walking along the ridgeline
A view through the trees
Leafy path
Blue sky through Fall leaves
Sun between the leaves
Leaves brighten the trail
Bunch of freckled mushrooms
A look back up at the foliage
More leaf peeping
Hobblebush leaves
Fall colors
A favorite burl
Another burl
Trailhead and the Kancamagus Highway are in sight
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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