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Mt. Tripyramid (North Peak), Mt. Tripyramid (Middle Peak)
Waterville Valley, NH
Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up the Scaur Ridge Trail on the way to the North Peak
Route: Livermore Road/Trail, bushwhack, Scaur Ridge Trail, Pine Bend Brook Trail, (Mt. Tripyramid North Peak), Mt. Tripyramid Trail, (Mt. Tripyramid Middle Peak), Mt. Tripyramid Trail, (Mt. Tripyramid North Peak), Pine Bend Brook Trail, Scaur Ridge Trail, bushwhack, Livermore Road/Trail
With the perhaps the storm of the winter winding down, the Tripryamids were on the plate. While there was only a few inches of new snow at the parking lot, we knew there was more to come.
While the Livermore Trail was groomed as usual for the first mile and change, we soon hit absolute carnage - the grooming tractor had stopped at a line of blowdowns. This area of blowdowns continued for quite some time. Finally, we climbed up and out of the destruction zone - and into deeper snow. Though we'd follow some fresh snowshoe tracks, the snow was deep enough between them that it felt like we were breaking trail. Upon reaching the north slide junction, we started breaking trail for real (and would continue to do so all the way to Middle Peak). Rather than wind around to the beginning of the Scaur Ridge Trail, we hopped into the woods and bushwhacked up to it. My guess is that there was about 6-18" of new powder, on top of perhaps 2 feet of new, condensed snow (strong enough to support us, fortunately). As a result, any sign of a previous snowshoe trough was long gone.
Eventually reaching the Pine Bend Brook Trail, there were sections with perhaps 3 feet of clearance - the snow had filled in the rest of the trail's airway. Reaching the north peak, which was in a cloud due to the ongoing storm, we continued to the col and took a lunch break.
As we climbed Middle Tripyramid, we hit some pretty big drifts, including a tall one that pretty much blocked the way, requiring me to knock part of it down in order to get over it. Though also in the clouds, we did get some slight views of the valley below us from the summit.
The walk out wasn't a complete cakewalk, either - our tracks had partially filled back in, due to the continued snowfall and wind. Nonetheless, we were able to make it down well before sunset.
| Hike Ratings |
|
Getting To Trailhead: |
Easy |
| Destination: |
Mt. Tripyramid (North Peak) |
|
Length: |
Moderate |
|
Steepness: |
Difficult |
|
Navigation: |
Difficult |
|
Views: |
Minimal (due to weather) |
|
Crowds: |
Minimal |
| Destination: |
Mt. Tripyramid (Middle Peak) |
|
Length: |
Difficult |
|
Steepness: |
Difficult |
|
Navigation: |
Difficult |
|
Views: |
Moderate (due to weather) |
|
Crowds: |
Minimal |
|
| Hike Stats |
|
Date Hiked: |
Saturday, February 27, 2010 |
| Hike Commenced: |
8:11 AM |
| Parking Elevation: |
1,560' |
| Destination: |
Mt. Tripyramid (North Peak) |
| Ascent Commenced: |
8:11 AM |
| Summit Reached: |
12:23 PM |
| Time Elapsed: |
04:12 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
1,560' |
| Summit Elevation: |
4,180' |
| Vertical Gain: |
2,690' |
| Destination: |
Mt. Tripyramid (Middle Peak) |
| Ascent Commenced: |
12:24 PM |
| Summit Reached: |
1:13 PM |
| Time Elapsed: |
00:49 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
4,180' |
| Summit Elevation: |
4,140' |
| Distance: |
.8 mile |
| Vertical Gain: |
320' |
|
|
| Hike Ended: |
4:39 PM |
| Hike Time Elapsed: |
08:28 |
| Hike Vertical Gain: |
3,445' |
|
The Livermore Road/Trail trailhead at the Livermore parking area
Looking at clouds from near the summit of Mt. Tripryamid's north peak
A massive snow drift blocking the way to Middle Peak
Looking toward Waterville Valley from Middle Tripyramid
Directions to trailhead: Take Tripoli Road from the Waterville Valley ski area entrance to Livermore Road. The Livermore WMNF fee parking lot and trailhead are on the left (the rest/bulk of Livermore Road is closed to auto traffic).
Back to Mt. Tripyramid (North Peak) Profile
Back to Mt. Tripyramid (Middle Peak) Profile
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