Home States  Connecticut  Maine  Massachusetts  New Hampshire  New York  Rhode Island  Vermont  View All Lists  NE 4,000 Footers  NE 100 Highest  NH 4,000 Footers  NH 52 With A View  NH Belknap Range  NH Ossipee 10 Explanation of Ratings Links Ossipee Mountains Notice Search Trail Conditions Trip Log About	Mt. Passaconaway, Mt. Whiteface Albany, NH, Waterville Valley, NH Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below. Looking down the abandoned Downes Brook Slide Trail Route: Downes Brook Trail, Downes Brook Slide Trail, Walden Trail, (Mt. Passaconaway), Dicey Mill Trail, Rollins Trail, (Mt. Whiteface), Rollins Trail, Kate Sleeper Trail, Downes Brook Trail Starting at the Downes Brook Trail trailhead (recently widened by what looked to be logging activity), I followed the trail as it worked its way up the brook. The footing was generally okay, however there were numerous water crossings that would be tough even in moderate levels. Approaching what looked to be a brook on my left (while on the left side of the main brook), there was sort of a stonewall around it where the trail crossed. Looking up the brook, I could see slabs - this was my exit. Heading up the left side of this tributary, I soon passed a no maintenance warning sign and shortly thereafter reached the ledge slabs. In dry conditions, the slabs were generally fine. In wet or icy conditions, this could be quite dangerous. The old trail crossed the brook a few times, using slabs, scrambles, and the occasional herd path to ascend. Finally reaching the area in which the slide turns, I found the path continued between two tributaries, soon reaching slabs on the side of Passaconaway, then climbing steeply for a sustained stretch to the ridge. After a short ridge walk with occasional directional views, I popped out at the lower viewpoint below Passaconaway. From here, I went to one of the near-summit vistas, then to the highpoint, then down to the Rollins Trail, which I followed over Whiteface and to the Sleeper junction. From there, I took the Kate Sleeper Trail down to the Downes Brook Trail, then descended the latter. I lost track of how many times it crossed the brook - I can't imagine attempting this trail in high water. The footing was generally okay, except for a few rocky/rooty areas higher up. Hike Ratings Getting To Trailhead: Easy Destination: Mt. Passaconaway Length: Moderate Steepness: Very Difficult Navigation: Difficult Views: Excellent Crowds: Minimal Destination: Mt. Whiteface Length: Moderate Steepness: Difficult Navigation: Easy Views: Minimal Crowds: Moderate Hike Stats Date Hiked: Saturday, August 13, 2011 Parking Elevation: 1,265' Destination: Mt. Passaconaway Time Elapsed: 02:26 Trailhead Elevation: 1,265' Summit Elevation: 4,043' Vertical Gain: 2,878' Destination: Mt. Whiteface Time Elapsed: 01:22 Trailhead Elevation: 4,043' Summit Elevation: 4,020' Distance: 3.1 miles Vertical Gain: 840' Hike Time Elapsed: 06:20 Hike Vertical Gain: 3,918' The Downes Brook Trail trailhead Looking up the abandoned Downes Brook Slide Trail Looking toward Mt. Washington from the lower Mt. Passaconaway vista The Rollins Trail on the way to Mt. Whiteface Mt. Chocorua as seen from a viewpoint north of Mt. Whiteface on the Rollins Trail Looking down the Downes Brook Trail Directions to trailhead: Take Route 112 West from Conway. A bit after Bear Notch Road, look for the sign for the entrance to the UNH Trail-Downes Brook Trail parking on the left. WMNF fee parking area. Back to Mt. Passaconaway Profile Back to Mt. Whiteface Profile
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