Elevation: 2,749 ft (overall) 3,679 ft (total)
Time: 2:55 (Jim Liberty Cabin) 3:40 (Mt. Chocorua) 4:29 (Middle Sister) 6:34 (Total)
Trails: Piper Trail, Weetamoo Trail, Hammond Trail, Liberty Trail, Piper Trail, Middle Sister Trail, Carter Ledge Trail, Nickerson Ledge Trail, Piper Trail
Things started off a bit chilly this morning, but since it's already almost mid October, that isn't surprising. The trail is wide and very wasy to start, so I caught up to some other hikers pretty quickly. I hung back just a bit since I knew I would be taking another trail early on, and didn't suspect they would be doing the same.
If it weren't for the sign at the start of the Weetamoo Trail, I probably would have walked right past it. There isn't anything distinguishing about the start of this trail with the open woods at this part of the Piper Trail. The less defined treadway shows it isn't as heavily traveled. The trail stays pretty easy, still not gaining much elevation. Before long, it works it's way to the biggest brook crossing of today's hike. Even with some recent rain, the water level was pretty low and the crossing was easy with so many rocks above water.
Brook crossing
Pretty soon the trail starts into a long gradual swithcback. It turns to the left and works along the side hill where the trail has been dug in a bit. It then turns back to the right and follows the spine of a small ridge. After this interesting section, the trail veers a bit more to the right and starts to get a bit more rocky. The trail again turns left, and stays this way pretty much until the Hammond Trail. The trail passes by a large glacial erratic on the right side of the trail. I thought this might be Weetamoo Rock that was on my map, but there was no sign to say so. Soon after though, I found the real Weetamoo Rock... a much bigger erratic on the left side of the trail. Unfortunately, there are enough branches in the way that there wasn't a clear spot to photograph the entire rock from.
Weetamoo Trail
On the Hammond Trail, the terrain got a bit more interesting. There were a few narrower gaps to climb through and the trail started to go over flat exposed rock while staying in the trees. I've always liked sections like this. The summit cone was also starting to come in and out of sight now. It was still cloudy in all directions, but I was starting to see some clear sky off in the distance, giving me hope for sun and nice views before I was done. After a few ups and downs in the trail and one intersection, the trail goes right past the Jim Liberty cabin. The cabin is very close to the summit cone sticking up ahead of you. I expected it to be a bit further away. I stopped here for a short break out of the wind for a snack and to make sure I had dry layers on. With the cool temps and blowing winds, it was smarter to do that here than somewhere more exposed.
Jim Liberty Cabin
I continued past the cabin up the trail. The trail starts to get steeper here and more difficult. There was at least one spot where I needed my hands to help pull myself up. The trail also goes over a few open rock slabs that could be tricky or dangerous when wet or in winter. One of these open areas though seemed to have small sections broken or blasted out in order to make a more flat surface to walk across. After the intersection with the Bee Line Trail, the Liberty trail turns right and heads up towards the summit. It got steep here, but footing was good. At the intersection of the short spur that actually leads up to the summit, I didn't notice any blazes indicating which way it went. So I ended up basically just going straight and climbed up over the rocks to get there.
Section of rock made flatter for the trail
The summit was a nice open area with views all around, but unfortunately the clouds were still above us. To the west and north things had cleared up, but we were still in the shade. There were a number of others scattered around the summit, mostly trying to stay out of the wind, which was averaging 22 mph. While I had forgotten a pair of gloves and a hat for today, it seemed many other hikers forget anything with long legs or long sleeves. Quite a few hikers coming up were very under dressed and looked quite cold. It was only 31 degrees on the summit and the windchill made it feel like 21.
View from Mt. Chocorua
With all the people around, I didn't stay at the summit long. On the way down I was able to find the blazes for the spur trail. I even found one back at the bottom of it that I missed earlier. If you are at the start of it, it's a bit to the right as you look up the rocks. Continuing over towards Middle Sister was mostly straight forward, although there were a number of faded blazes on the rocks. These faded blazes along with people not seeming to realize where the Liberty Trail goes and where the summit spur is meant lots of hikers were just heading up over the rocks looking for the top. This meant many looking confused or trying more dangerous routes. It also meant more traffic walking over the vegetation around the summit which already has a hard enough time growing.
Once past the Piper Trail, I started seeing fewer hikers. This was fine with me. It was a quick climb up to the first sister where I saw a small mole. I tried to get a picture of him, but he ducked under some rocks before I could. I quickly headed to Middle Sister. The distance between the peaks is short and the trail is easy. I spent quick a bit of time at the summit of Middle Sister. There wasn't anyone else there until I was ready to leave, and the structures gave me something to explore. I was also patiently waiting for the clouds to clear above me. Eventually, the clouds did clear up enough that I was in the sun. It was nice to get the warmth, plus the better lighting for pictures.
Middle Sister summit view west
Middle Sister summit view north
Middle Sister summit stone foundation
I headed down the Middle Sister Trail until I reached the Carter Ledge Trail. From here, it got steep for a while. The trail goes down over many open areas of rocks. Some of which were still a bit wet and potentially slippery. I carefully made my way down these and was soon on a flat section of trail leading over Carter Ledge. The trail stays a safe distance from the actual ledge, but things are open enough that there are some nice views and it an interesting walk through the area.
Some nice patches of foliage
View from Carter Ledge Trail
After the ledges, the is steep for a short distance then gets easier. At a large rock in the trail, I followed a path to the left and soon couldn't tell where the trail went. After looking around for a while, I headed back up to a spot where I knew I was on the trail. Apparently the trail turns right at that rock instead of left. A small blaze or arrow would have been nice here. Once I was on the Nickerson Ledge Trail, it was fast and smooth hiking most of the way back to the car. The Nickerson Ledge Trail is mostly flat with a nice soft treadway. The Piper Trail is wide and pretty easy with only some rocks and multiple wood water bars. Once back to the car I saw how much the parking lot was overflowing. I was glad I got here early and stayed off the most popular trail.
All in all, I liked most of the mountain. The route I took today was very nice. I didn't like the crowds of seemingly inexperienced hikers out trying to look at foliage on the holiday weekend. They couldn't completely be blamed for their actions though as the trail above treeline needs some serious reblazing (or cairns for when there is snow). I was honestly disappointed about how poorly the trails were blazed considering how popular this mountain is.
Looking back during a quick stop at Chocorua Lake
For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE
