Summit: Mount Chocorua (3,475')
Trail route: Piper Trail
Trail conditions: Snow, a couple inches to start and several inches at higher elevations with occasional ice underneath
Weather: Cold and windy, sunshine and lots of blue sky
Total miles: 8.4
Total time: 5:40
I have never summited Mount Chocorua on the Piper Trail, have always used the Champney Falls Trail from the Kancamagus Highway. There was high winds with strong gusts in the forecast but diminishing into the afternoon. The summit is exposed but there was always the option to turn around if the winds were too strong so the hike was a go!
The first problem was getting to the trail. Route 16 was blocked off due to wind damage with power lines and trees down. It was a detour that brought me south of the trailhead and I had to drive back north to get to the parking lot.
There was a cool wind blowing at the trailhead but very tolerable. Moving up the trail the wind became more intense with elevation gain although there were a few spots out of the wind and in full sunshine that was very nice. There was a few tricky areas on some exposed ledges but not a problem with the microspikes. Just below treeline it was getting colder and windier so a warm layer was added.
Above treeline a cold wind was blowing but with the added layer it was quite tolerable. Up on the summit there was actually a spot in front of the top ledge that blocked the wind so lingering and basking was possible. The views in all directions were spectacular!
On the way back down the warm layer was removed at treeline. Further down the trail past the exposed ledges the microspikes were removed and it was a pleasant hike back to the trailhead. Both the trail and weather conditions were better than expected.
With sunshine and a clear blue sky the unobstructed views made for a great hike to the summit of Mount Chocorua today!
Enjoy the photos and video!
A peek up at the peak
View from a ledge scramble
Sun over a false summit
Sun over true summit
On the summit
View to the north
Mount Washington
West view
South view
On the summit of Mount Chocorua
Whiteface and Passaconaway
A snowy Franconia Ridge
Mount Carrigain
Chocorua Lake
Cranmore Ski Area
Mount Kearsarge
A couple of hikers on the summit
A view of Mount Washington while descending
Descending slick ledges
Back at the trailhead
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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