Summits: Mount Whiteface (4,020'), Mount Passaconaway (4,043')
Trail route: Blueberry Ledge Trail, Rollins Trail, Dicey's Mill Trail
Trail conditions: WET!...and Slippery
Weather: Cool, drizzly and wet
Total miles: 11.9
Total time: 7:43
The weather was looking rather sketchy and unpredictable today as different forecasts didn't seem to agree with each other. Regardless of the possible showers in the forecast it was a go and I would be hiking the Whiteface and Passaconaway loop with Lisa, Jill, Amy and Jim.
When I stepped outside early this morning the dark sky was clear and full of stars so I was hopeful that it was going to be a good day. When I passed through Pinkham Notch everything changed. There was maybe 50 feet of visibility through thick fog and on the other side of the notch it was misty, dreary and downright miserable all the way to the Ferncroft parking lot.
Amy and Jim were already there when I arrived with Lisa and Jill arriving shortly after me. We put on rain jackets to start but it wasn't long before we took them off. When we got to the trail and into the woods the trees were dripping down on us and that would last for most of the hike.
I kept thinking about the wet ledges on Mount Whiteface that we would have to climb up to get to the summit. They were just about what I expected, wet and slippery but with careful foot and hand placement they did not present much of a problem. There were no views and lots of gray as we went past the usual outlooks.
The Rollins Trail was very wet and muddy. This would not change as we turned onto the Dicey's Mill Trail for our ascent to Mount Passaconaway. Once again no views from the outlook on this summit. We stayed for a few minutes before other hikers started to arrive and then began our descent, it was all downhill from here.
The Dicey's Mill Trail was full of slippery leaves, roots and rocks. We all managed to get down unscathed. The one water crossing presented a rock hop or log to cross on. Amy took the log and the rest of us rock hopped, there were no mishaps and no one went into the water.
As we got closer to the Ferncroft parking area the sky started to clear. Blue sky appeared as the clouds lifted off the summits. We were predicting that's what would happen today and were thankful there were no downpours. Even with the wet conditions it was a fun hike with great company!
Enjoy the photos and video!
Blurry and drizzly start to the hike
Arriving at the Blueberry Cutoff junction
Jim is the only view at this outlook today
Some ledge scrambling
Another outlook with no view
Amy and Jill coming up the ledges
Lisa walking across a ledge
Jim going straight up
No view
More ledges
...and more ledges
Jim looking for a view
We've conquered the ledges on Mount Whiteface
Summit cairn on Mount Whiteface
Reaching Dicey's Mill Trail and starting our ascent to Mount Passaconaway
Tripping hazard on the trail
No view from the Passaconaway outlook
Approaching the summit of Mount Passaconaway
Jim walking on water
Jill watches Amy do the log crossing
Colorful trail
Walking through a forest of color
Changing leaves
Road walk back to Ferncroft
A look back
Clouds are lifting
Not my vehicle and I agree...super lame!
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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