Table of Contents

Note The Tripyramids, Mt. Whiteface and Mt. Passaconaway now have their own page.

These notes are written to help you compare the various routes that are commonly used to hike to the peaks. They are written on the assumption that you have a guidebook and a set of maps, so no directions are given to trailheads, and the trails are not described in any detail. I have omitted hikes that are substantially longer or more difficult than the standard ones, or that are simply less often used. The fact that a trail is not mentioned here does not imply that it is unsuitable.

There are no established backcountry campsites in this area, but you may be interested in the Tripoli Road Dispersed Camping that is allowed along Tripoli Road.

Mountain Weather Forecast

The Recreation Report for New Hampshire and Western Maine gives a two day forecast for higher elevations (separate forecasts for elevations of 2,500 to 4,000 feet and for above 4,000 feet). There is also a point forecast for Mount Osceola.

Map of Mounts Tecumseh and Osceola

The map below is a fully interactive Google map, you can zoom in or out and click on any feature. Specifically clicking on the P symbols will allow you to get driving directions to the trailheads.




View Mounts Osceola and Tecumseh in a larger map

Mount Tecumseh

The Mt. Tecumseh Trail starts at the Waterville Valley ski area and goes over the summit of Mt. Tecumseh, then descends to Tripoli Road about a mile from the start of the Mt. Osceola trail. Most hikers attempt it from the ski area (rt: 5.0 miles, 2,200 feet, 3:35). This is an easy trip, but not quite as easy as the numbers suggest, as there is a long steady fairly steep climb. There are no views on the trail itself, but a short spur leads to the ski slopes and good views into the valley. There are also limited views from the summit.

I prefer the approach from the other end of the trail, on Tripoli Road (rt: 6.2 miles, 2,600 feet, 4:25). There are some views along this trail, and the woods seem more attractive. The stream crossing near the start can be difficult at high water. With two cars it is possible to do a traverse (lp: 5.6 miles, 2,400 feet, 4:00).

To summarize, here are the distances, elevation gains and book times of the various possible routes to Mount Tecumseh:


Routes to Mount Tecumseh
Route Distance Elevation Gain Book Time
Mt. Tecumseh from ski area 5.0 2,200 3:35
Mt. Tecumseh from Tripoli Rd. 6.2 2,600 4:25
Mt. Tecumseh traverse 5.6 2,400 4:00

Mount Osceola

The Mt. Osceola Trail starts on Tripoli Road, about 2 miles from Livermore Road in Waterville Valley, and ends on the Greeley Ponds Trail about 1.3 miles south of the Kanc. The main peak is an easy trip from Tripoli Road (rt: 6.4 miles, 2,050 feet, 4:15), with easy grades almost the whole way. Those who have already done the main peak may climb the East peak alone by using the Greeley Ponds Trail from the Kanc, then ascending the very steep and rough Mt. Osceola Trail to the East Peak (rt: 5.6 miles, 2,200 feet, 3:55).

The easiest way of doing both peaks is from Tripoli Road, over the main peak and on to the East peak and back (rt: 8.4 miles, 2,950 feet, 5:40). The section between the col and the East peak is steep and rough, and there is a chimney (that can be bypassed) going from the main peak to the col. It is also possible to do both peaks from the Kanc (rt: 7.6 miles, 3,100 feet, 5:20). This involves going both up and down the steep rocky section from the Greeley Pond trail to the East peak. In winter, when Tripoli Road is closed to cars, this is the standard route. Around the start and end of winter you should check the status of forest service roads.

A very popular loop trip is to go up by the Greeley Ponds trail (from the Waterville Valley end) to the East peak, go over to the main peak, and descend to Tripoli Road (lp: 9.8 miles, 2,400 feet, 6:30). Add another 2.8 miles going down Tripoli Road if you only have one car.

To summarize, here are the distances, elevation gains and book times of the various possible routes to Mount Osceola:


Routes to Mount Osceola
Route Distance Elevation Gain Book Time
Mt. Osceola, main peak from Tripoli Rd 6.4 2,050 4:15
Mt. Osceola, east peak from Kanc 5.6 2,200 3:55
Mt. Osceola, both peaks from Kanc 7.6 3,100 5:20
Mt. Osceola, both peaks from Tripoli Rd 8.4 2,950 5:40
Mount Osceola loop 9.8 2,400 6:30

Sandwich Mountain

Sandwich Mountain (often called Sandwich Dome) is not a 4,000 footer, but is a very popular hiking destination in the Waterville Valley area, and is on the New England 100 Highest list.

Map of Sandwich Mountain

The map below is a fully interactive Google map, you can zoom in or out and click on any feature. Specifically clicking on the P symbols will allow you to get driving directions to the trailheads.




View Sandwich Mountain in a larger map

The majority of hikers climb the mountain by one (or both) of two trails that start on the outskirts of Waterville Valley. These are the Sandwich Mountain Trail (rt: 7.8 miles, 2,600 feet, 5:10) and the Drake's Brook Trail (rt: 8.8 miles, 2,600 feet, 5:40). The two trails start from the same trailhead, and meet about one mile from the summit of Sandwich Mountain, shortly before a spur path leads to the scenic subpeak known as Jenning's Peak. The two trails are often combined to make a loop (lp: 8.3 miles, 2,600 feet, 5:25). The Sandwich Mountain Trail has a rather steep section going up to Noon Peak, while the grades of the Drake's Brook Trail are much gentler.

The Smart's Brook Trail starts much lower down on Rt 49, and hence has quite a bit more elevation gain (rt: 11.4 miles, 3,100 feet, 7:15). Grades are gentle most of the way, though there is a steeper section over the last 500 feet before it reaches the ridge, where it joins the Sandwich Mountain Trail midway between Jenning's Peak and the main summit.

The most scenic trail is the Algonquin Trail (rt: 9.0 miles, 2,550 feet, 5:45), from the Sandwich Notch Road (not plowed in winter). The trail is steep and rough, and there are a few rocky scrambles. There are several outstanding views of the Sandwich Notch area with its many ponds.

The final two trails approach the mountain from the south. The Bennett Street Trail starts from the Flat Pond Trail 0.3 miles beyond Jose's Bridge (rt: 9.0 miles, 2,900 feet, 6:00), while the steeper Gleason Trail (rt: 7.6 miles, 2,900 feet, 5:15) begins and ends on the Bennett Street Trail. The two trails are often combined making a nice loop (lp: 8.3 miles, 2,900 feet, 5:35).

To summarize, here are the distances, elevation gains and book times of the various possible routes to Sandwich Dome:


Routes to Sandwich Dome
Route Distance Elevation Gain Book Time
Sandwich Mountain Trail 7.8 2,600 5:10
Drake's Brook Trail 8.8 2,600 5:40
Loop, Sandwich Mtn. and Drake's Brook 8.3 2,600 5:25
Smart's Brook Trail 11.4 3,100 7:15
Algonquin Trail 9.0 2,550 5:45
Bennett Street Trail 9.0 2,900 6:00
Gleason Trail 7.6 2,900 5:15
Loop, Bennett Street and Gleason 8.3 2,900 5:35


Winter Routes

Mt. Tecumseh in Winter

Since Tripoli Road is unplowed in winter the only common route is from the ski area. This is a popular trail, and so is likely to be broken out soon after a storm. For the final approach to the summit I usually take the Sossman Trail, which I find quite a bit easier than the Mount Tecumseh Trail.

Mt. Osceola in Winter

Since Tripoli Road is not plowed in winter the only possible approach is from the Greeley Pond Trail, and since winter peakbaggers try to minimize distance it is almost always approached from the Kanc. This is a mountain that is rarely hiked by non-peakbaggers, so the trail is less likely to be broken out soon after a storm. The steep section going up to the East Peak can be challenging, as can the slide. Beyond the East Peak both the chimney and its bypass can also be "interesting".

Sandwich Dome in Winter

The two trails from the upper end of Rt. 49 (Sandwich Mountain and Drake's Brook trails) are fairly often hiked by non-peakbaggers and so are likely to be well broken out. There is a long steep section on the Sandwich Mountain Trail, and while the Drake's Brook Trail is much easier is does have a short section that is rather steep.