Home
States
Colorado
Connecticut
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New York
Rhode Island
Utah
Vermont
View All
Lists
NE 4,000 Footers
NE 100 Highest
NH 4,000 Footers
NH 100 Highest
NH 52 With A View
NH Belknap Range
NH Ossipee 10
Links
Trail Conditions
Trip Log
Sunrises
Sunsets
About
|
Big Bickford Mountain, Scarface Mountain
Franconia, NH
Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Getting ready to leave the Skookumchuck Trail
Route: Skookumchuck Trail, bushwhack
To start, the Skook had a fraction of an inch of sleet/snow on it from the previous day's storm. No problem barebooting.
At the first water crossing, we headed uphill and gradually worked our way to Big Bickford through open woods, following the drainage until we neared the ridge. The snowpack increased as we climbed, however the morning temperatures allowed us to bareboot much of the way up with no postholing. Things softened up as the morning progressed, resulting in us needing snowshoes upon reaching the ridge.
The summit of Big Bickford was somewhat open with a few feet of snowpack, however morning fog revealed little in views. It looks like there could be moderate views just southeast of the summit. We found the recognized summit, but the canister has been vandalized and is empty and only partially remaining.
We then backtracked toward the col and then headed up to Scarface in mixed, steeper woods. After finding the recognized highpoint, we headed to the western side of the summit and found a very nice, small view ledge looking into the notch.
From there, we descended into mixed, steep woods, eventually emptying into previously logged hardwoods. The snowpack decreased at this point, so the snowshoes came off. From there we headed back toward the brook and retraced our morning tracks.
| Hike Ratings |
|
Getting To Trailhead: |
Easy |
| Destination: |
Big Bickford Mountain |
|
Length: |
Moderate |
|
Steepness: |
Moderate |
|
Navigation: |
Very Difficult |
|
Views: |
Moderate (due to weather) |
|
Crowds: |
Minimal |
| Destination: |
Scarface Mountain |
|
Length: |
Moderate |
|
Steepness: |
Difficult |
|
Navigation: |
Very Difficult |
|
Views: |
Excellent |
|
Crowds: |
Minimal |
|
| Hike Stats |
|
Date Hiked: |
Saturday, April 13, 2013 |
| Parking Elevation: |
1,080' |
| Destination: |
Big Bickford Mountain |
| Time Elapsed: |
01:31 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
1,700' |
| Summit Elevation: |
3,261' |
| Vertical Gain: |
1,641' |
| Destination: |
Scarface Mountain |
| Time Elapsed: |
00:26 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
3,261' |
| Summit Elevation: |
2,802' |
| Vertical Gain: |
152' |
|
|
| Hike Time Elapsed: |
03:47 |
| Hike Vertical Gain: |
1,853' |
|
The Skookumchuck Trail trailhead
Slight views toward the western Garfield Ridge as seen from near the summit of Big Bickford Mountain
Fairly open woods between the peaks
Looking at the north side of Franconia Notch from near the summit of Scarface Mountain
Directions to trailhead: Take I-93 North to exit 35 (US 3 North). The Skookumchuck Trail parking lot and trailhead will be on the right shortly thereafter.
Back to Big Bickford Mountain Profile
Back to Scarface Mountain Profile
|
