Elevation: 2,260 ft (overall) 3,667 ft (total)
Time: 3:25 (Mt. Tom) 4:21 (Mt. Field) 5:17 (Mt. Willey) 6:53 (Ethan Pond) 10:20 (Total)
Trails: Zealand Trail, A-Z Trail, Mt. Tom Spur, Willey Range Trail, Ethan Pond Trail
I've been thinking about doing this hike since just after I first hiked these peaks just over 3 years ago. For some reason I had the idea of this loop and immediately wanted to do it. With a plan of hiking all the New England Four Thousand Footers in one year, it seemed like the perfect time to do this loop rather than a shorter route from the other side. This would also get me onto even more trails this year that I haven't been on yet.
Knowing this was going be a longer hike, I made sure to get an early start. The parking lot can also fill up quick on a nice day such as this. Starting up the Zealand Trail is pretty easy. There are no major ups or downs as it gradually gains elevation. All brooks also have nice bridges over them. It is a bit rocky and has a number of roots in places due to the heavy traffic to and from the hut.
Before Long I was turning off onto the A-Z Trail and away from other hikers for a while. I suspect this trail doesn't get heavy usage from this side, but it was in good shape and easy to follow. There was one minor brook crossing and a few damp spots with bog bridges. The trail is gradual to begin with, but steeper than the Zealand Trail. After a while, the trail almost completely levels out for a while making it a nice quick section. It then does the main climb up onto the ridge getting steeper and more rocky. Before too long though, you are up on the ridge and at the Mt. Tom Spur. This trail was a nice alternative being quiet and feeling a bit more remote.
A-Z Trail
The hike up to Mt. Tom went quick as the spur trail is relatively short and isn't very hard. There are some muddy sections, some roots, and a couple small rock scrambles, but nothing too difficult. As you get near the summit, the trail appears to split, but there is no sign. To the left is the actual summit with limited views into the Zealand Valley and to the right is a small open area with views of the Presidential Range and Crawford Notch.
View from Mt. Tom
After a quick hike back down the spur trail, it was time to climb up Mt. Field. The trail hear has some small rocks scattered along it, but it stays pretty good. After going through and area with lots of low lying plants to help make the forest even more green, there is a final steep push just before the summit. There is a small open area at the actual summit with another small viewpoint a few feet away that looks back towards the eastern side of Mt. Tom.
View from Mt. Field
After a nice break, some views, and a change of socks, it was time to head off towards Mt. Willey. There are a couple short steep descents, but only one might be tricky for other hikers. The trail does have more small rocks on it though which will make your feet a bit more sore at the end of the day. After the trail levels off a bit before heading up Mt. Willey, you'll come through a patch of trees that saw heavy damage during Tropical Storm Irene. They have been cleaned up nicely, but it's an impressive and localized spot of damage. It might have been due to some of the trees being down, but I felt more wind here than any other spot along the ridge. This could also be part of way so many trees fell over during that storm. The trail works its way around Mt. Willey a bit before coming to the summit. There is a nice view point just before the summit, but an even better one just after the summit.
The view after the summit provides a vantage point to look across Crawford Notch at Webster Cliff, Mt. Webster, and the rest of the Presidential Range. This is one of my favorite views in the Whites so far.
View from Mt. Willey
View from Mt. Willey
Having been here before, I knew the trail heading south off of Mt. Willey would be steep. You quickly loose elevation and soon come to the ladder section. I think I counted 98 steps on the ladders while climbing down them. After the ladders it's still steep for a while with more loose rock. The trail levels out some before reaching the Ethan Pond Trail.
The Ethan Pond Trail goes uphill a bit before leveling off and then gradually heading downhill. Much of this trail was an old railroad track so there won't be anything too steep or sharp along it. After passing though some nice woods and over many bog bridges, I reached the spur trail to the Ethan Pond Shelter. I walked in to check it out. The pond is small but nice. There is a shelter which filled up while I was resting and tent sites that were already packed when I got there. This is a popular place on weekends when the weather is nice (don't forget foliage is starting to change too).
Ethan Pond
Leaving the pond, more hikers were still coming in hoping to find a spot, but they would soon be turned away. The trail stays nice and gentle for quite a while through here. No real surprises, just a long walk through a remote area. After crossing the North Fork of the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River on a nice bridge, the trail starts to curve back in the direction of the parking lot following around the edge of Whitewall Mtn.
After a stretch in the trees, the trail comes out into the open at the base of a rocky side of the mountain. The old rail bed is very clear here and there are nice views through the valley and up the mountain. After heading back into the trees, the trail starts to have a bunch of short ups and downs over some rocky areas. By this time, my feet where starting to get a bit sore and these rocks weren't helping. Eventually the trail smooths back out again. It stays this way all the way to the Twinway Trail near the hut. After a short section and a small crossing of a beaver pond, you get back onto the section of trail hiked at the beginning of the day.
Ethan Pond Trail
On the old rail bed at the base of Whitewall Mtn
Looking up Whitewall Mtn
Nearing sunset now, I was happy to make my way out without needing a headlamp. At the beaver ponds I was able to see a bit of the sunset and the colors it cast onto the trees that are already changing for fall. This was an enjoyable loop and hike, but I wish there was a bit more breeze today to go along with the sun. It felt pretty warm today while hiking with a temp on the summits of 66 degrees. It's hard to believe that just two weeks ago I was on Mt. Moriah where it was 38 degrees, windy, and I was wearing a hat and gloves.
Nearing sunset while hiking the Zealand Trail
For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE
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