TriPyramids via Slide Trails

Transcription

1 AMC August 12, 2010 TriPyramids via Slide Trails ft 2007, Appalachian Mountain Club. All rights reserved. Notes Created by AMC White Mountain Guide Online wmgonline.org 1

2 Distance Time Elev Change Trail / Waypoint Latitude Longitude starting at Livermore Trailhead (Livermore Rd.) 43 57' 58" 71 30' 48" This trail begins at a parking area at the beginning of Livermore Rd. (FR 53) near Waterville Valley and climbs through Livermore Pass (2,900 ft.) Livermore Rd. and its trailhead parking area are reached from Tripoli Rd. by following this road a short distance across the bridge to a fork where Livermore Rd. bears left and the road to Waterville Valley village turns right. Tripoli Rd. (FR 30) turns a sharp left off of NH 49 (Mad River Rd.) at 10.6 mi. from I mi 11 min +1 ft on Livermore Trail 0.36 mi 11 min +1 ft This trail begins at a parking area at the beginning of Livermore Rd. near Waterville Valley and climbs through Livermore Pass (2,900 ft.) to the Kancamagus Highway across from Lily Pond. It once connected Waterville Valley to the Sawyer River logging railroad, which led to the now deserted village of Livermore on the Sawyer River. (The present Sawyer River Trail was a part of this Waterville-Livermore route.) The Livermore Trail consists of logging roads of various ages and conditions; the part through Livermore Pass is muddy and can be difficult to follow. The gravel southern section, from Tripoli Rd. to Flume Brook Camp, is also called Livermore Rd. (FR 53). From the parking area on Livermore Rd., the trail follows the gated gravel road through an open field (site of Depot Camp) and across a bridge over a branch of the Mad River. The Greeley Ponds Trail, another gravel road, diverges sharp left, 40 yd. past the bridge. to the junction of Greeley Ponds Trail 43 58' 09" 71 30' 36" 0.20 mi 6 min +3 ft on Livermore Trail 0.56 mi 17 min +4 ft Soon the Livermore Trail crosses the main branch of the Mad River on another bridge. Several of the WVAIA local paths intersect the trail: the Boulder Path diverges right from the parking area. to the junction of Boulder Path 43 58' 08" 71 30' 22" 0.12 mi 5 min +32 ft on Livermore Trail 0.68 mi 22 min +37 ft The Big Pines Path diverges left from the trail. to the junction of Big Pines Path 43 58' 10" 71 30' 14" 0.26 mi 9 min +35 ft on Livermore Trail 0.94 mi 31 min +72 ft The Kettles Path diverges left from the trail. to the junction of Kettles Path 43 58' 12" 71 29' 56" 0.86 mi 31 min +120 ft on Livermore Trail 1.80 mi 1 hr 2 min +192 ft The Norway Rapids Trail diverges right, and a service road diverges right across a major logging road bridge, leading to the upper end of the Cascade Path and the top of the Snows Mountain ski slopes. to the junction of Norway Rapids Trail 43 58' 11" 71 29' 13" 0.30 mi 12 min +85 ft on Livermore Trail 2.10 mi 1 hr 14 min +277 ft The Livermore Trail passes the south end of the Mt. Tripyramid Trail, which leads to the right across Avalanche Brook and provides access to the Tripyramid peaks via the South Slide mi 20 min +154 ft on Livermore Trail 2.60 mi 1 hr 34 min +431 ft After passing the site of Avalanche Camp to the left of the trail, where the road becomes more grass-grown, the trail reaches a hairpin turn to the left. to the junction of Mount Tripyramid Trail 43 58' 09" 71 28' 25" 1.00 mi 43 min +427 ft on Livermore Trail 3.60 mi 2 hr 17 min +858 ft Here the northern part of the Mt. Tripyramid Trail diverges right toward the peaks via the difficult North Slide. to the junction of Mount Tripyramid Trail 43 58' 35" 71 27' 36" entering wilderness area 1.20 mi 1 hr 28 min ft on Mount Tripyramid Trail 2

3 Distance Time Elev Change Trail / Waypoint Latitude Longitude 4.80 mi 3 hr 45 min ft This trail makes a loop over the three summits of Tripyramid from the Livermore Trail, and is usually done from north to south in order to ascend the steep rock slabs of the North Slide and descend the loose gravel of the South Slide. Descent of the North Slide is more difficult than ascent and may be particularly daunting to hikers who have difficulty or lack experience on steep rock, whereas ascent of the South Slide can be very frustrating because of constant backsliding on the loose gravel. Caution: The steep rock slabs of the North Slide are difficult, and they are dangerous in wet or icy conditions. At all times but particularly in adverse conditions, or for the descent the Scaur Ridge Trail is a much easier and safer route than the North Slide. The North Slide lies mostly in deep shade in seasons when the sun is low, so ice may form early in fall and remain late in spring. The loose footing on the South Slide may also be hazardous when wet or icy. Allow plenty of time for the steep, rough trip over the Tripyramids via the slides. This trail is almost entirely within the Sandwich Range Wilderness. The north end of the loop leaves the Livermore Trail at a hairpin. The trail descends sharply for 50 yd. to cross Avalanche Brook (last reliable water), enters the Sandwich Range Wilderness, then ascends at a moderate grade, occasionally requiring some care to follow, and reaches the gravel outwash of the North Slide. It now becomes extremely steep, climbing about 1,200 ft. The lower part of the slide has the most difficult, slippery slabs; the upper part is more exposed but the rough, normally dry rock offers comparatively good traction. Follow paint blazes (often faint and sparse) on the rocks. Soon the trail reaches the first open slabs and views become steadily more extensive. Higher up, the trail ascends the right-hand track of the slide almost to its top, then turns sharp left into the woods at a cairn, and continues to climb steeply to the junction where the Pine Bend Brook Trail enters from the left 20 yd. below the summit of North Peak. to North Tripyramid 43 58' 24" 71 26' 34" 0.50 mi 15 min -288 ft on Mount Tripyramid Trail 5.30 mi 4 hr 0 min ft The Mt. Tripyramid Trail and the Pine Bend Brook Trail now coincide. They cross over the summit of North Peak and descend at a moderate grade toward Middle Peak. Just north of the saddle between the North and Middle Peaks, the Sabbaday Brook Trail enters left from the Kancamagus Highway, and the Pine Bend Brook Trail ends. to the junction of Pine Bend Brook Trail, Sabbaday Brook Trail 43 58' 06" 71 26' 21" 0.30 mi 17 min +251 ft on Mount Tripyramid Trail 5.60 mi 4 hr 17 min ft The Mt. Tripyramid Trail crosses the saddle and makes a steep ascent of the cone of Middle Peak. There is an outlook to the right of the trail near the true summit, which is a few yards left at the high point of the trail. The trail descends into the saddle between Middle and South Peaks, then climbs moderately to the wooded summit of South Peak. to Middle Tripyramid 43 57' 52" 71 26' 24" 0.60 mi 22 min -314 ft on Mount Tripyramid Trail 6.20 mi 4 hr 39 min ft From this summit, the trail starts to descend steeply, and soon reaches the top of the South Slide. In another 60 yd., the Kate Sleeper Trail to Mt. Whiteface diverges left at a sign. to the junction of Kate Sleeper Trail 43 57' 33" 71 26' 38" 2.30 mi 1 hr 10 min ft on Mount Tripyramid Trail 8.50 mi 5 hr 49 min +431 ft The descent to the foot of the slide is steep, with loose gravel footing becoming more prevalent as one descends. From a small open area at the bottom of the slide, the trail turns right and follows logging roads, crossing several small brooks; Cold Brook, the first sure water, is crossed. Continuing on old roads, the trail eventually crosses Avalanche Brook, leaving the Sandwich Range Wilderness, and ends in another 25 yd. on the Livermore Trail. to the junction of Livermore Trail 43 58' 09" 71 28' 25" leaving wilderness area 0.50 mi 20 min -154 ft on Livermore Trail 9.00 mi 6 hr 9 min +277 ft The trail reaches a hairpin turn to the right and the road becomes more grass-grown. The trail passes the site of Avalanche Camp to the right of the trail. 3

4 Distance Time Elev Change Trail / Waypoint Latitude Longitude 0.30 mi 12 min -85 ft on Livermore Trail 9.30 mi 6 hr 21 min +192 ft The Livermore Trail passes the south end of the Mt. Tripyramid Trail, which leads to the left across Avalanche Brook and provides access to the Tripyramid peaks via the South Slide. to the junction of Norway Rapids Trail 43 58' 11" 71 29' 13" 0.86 mi 31 min -120 ft on Livermore Trail mi 6 hr 52 min +72 ft A service road diverges left across a major logging road bridge, leading to the upper end of the Cascade Path and the top of the Snows Mountain ski slopes then the Norway Rapids Trail diverges left. to the junction of Kettles Path 43 58' 12" 71 29' 56" 0.26 mi 9 min -35 ft on Livermore Trail mi 7 hr 1 min +37 ft The Kettles Path diverges right from the trail. to the junction of Big Pines Path 43 58' 10" 71 30' 14" 0.12 mi 5 min -32 ft on Livermore Trail mi 7 hr 6 min +4 ft The Big Pines Path diverges right from the trail. to the junction of Boulder Path 43 58' 08" 71 30' 22" 0.20 mi 6 min -3 ft on Livermore Trail mi 7 hr 12 min +1 ft Several of the WVAIA local paths intersect the trail: the Boulder Path diverges left from the parking area. Soon the Livermore Trail crosses the main branch of the Mad River on a bridge. to the junction of Greeley Ponds Trail 43 58' 09" 71 30' 36" 0.36 mi 11 min -1 ft on Livermore Trail mi 7 hr 23 min 0 ft The Greeley Ponds Trail, another gravel road, diverges sharp right and in 40 yd. the trail crosses a bridge over a branch of the Mad River. The trail follows the gated gravel road through an open field (site of Depot Camp) and ends at the parking area on Livermore Rd. to Livermore Trailhead (Livermore Rd.) 43 57' 58" 71 30' 48" This trail begins at a parking area at the beginning of Livermore Rd. (FR 53) near Waterville Valley and climbs through Livermore Pass (2,900 ft.) Livermore Rd. and its trailhead parking area are reached from Tripoli Rd. by following this road a short distance across the bridge to a fork where Livermore Rd. bears left and the road to Waterville Valley village turns right. Tripoli Rd. (FR 30) turns a sharp left off of NH 49 (Mad River Rd.) at 10.6 mi. from I mi 7 hr 23 min 0 ft Totals 4

5 Disclaimer The use of this content is at your own risk. You acknowledge that (i) hiking, climbing and camping and related outdoor activities entail inherent risks and hazards, (ii) that conditions are variable and the content does not purport to be error-free or up to date, (iii) the presence of some warnings does not mean that all dangerous situations or changes in conditions will result in warnings on the AMC Site (and, thus, in this report), and (iv) ratings are very general, assume good weather and trail conditions and good physical fitness and constitute only one factor of many in a decision to hike a trail. Important Phone Numbers Emergency 911 Appalachian Mountain Club Pinkham Notch Visitor Center U.S. Forest Service National Weather Service Additional WMNF Information Camping is allowed anywhere in the WMNF, but is prohibited or restricted in Forest Protection Areas (FPAs). Generally, in Forest Protection Areas no camping is permitted above treeline (where trees are less than 8 feet tall), within ¼ mile of a trailhead or road, within 200 feet of a trail. Wilderness Areas In accordance with USFS Wilderness policy, trails in designated Wilderness areas are generally maintained to a lower standard than trails outside Wilderness. They may be rough, overgrown or essentially unmarked with minimal signage, and considerable care may be required to follow them. Hiking and camping group size must be no larger than 10 people. Camping and fires are also prohibited above treeline (where trees are less than 8 feet tall) except in winter, when camping is permitted above treeline in places where snow cover is at least 2 feet, but not on any frozen body of water. Alpine Zone Hikers are encouraged to be particularly careful in their activities above treeline because the plants that grow there already have to cope with the severity of the environment. No plants should ever be picked or otherwise damaged. Hikers are urged to stay on trails or walk very carefully on rocks so as not to kill fragile alpine vegetation. AMC urges hikers to become citizen-scientists and help AMC in alpine plant monitoring see for details. Safety Tips from the Appalachian Mountain Club Here's the essential clothing and gear you need even for a day hike in the Northeast's mountains in the spring, summer, or fall. Always check the weather and prepare for the worst conditions; make plans with your group's abilities in mind; and plan an alternate route in case of bad weather, injury, illness, or slower than expected travel time. Avoiding Hypothermia: Hypothermia can occur when your core body temperature falls below normal. This can easily happen when you are exposed to cold winds or wetness. You can avoid hypothermia if you guard against dehydration, fatigue, cold winds, and wet clothes. Be sure to: Dress warmly, in layers. Stay dry. Protect yourself from wind, rain, and snow. (This can be done most effectively by wearing clothes that block wind and moisture.) Eat high-energy snacks and drink plenty of water. Do not over-exert. Pack essential gear, even on day hikes. Essential Gear: Be sure to wear or bring the following: Wool sweater or synthetic pile jacket * Hat * Gloves or mittens Bandanna or handkerchief * Long pants (avoid cotton) Wind and rain gear (jacket and pants) 5

6 Extra socks * Sturdy boots * Polypropylene or wool underwear First-aid kit * Waterproof matches. * Whistle * Knife. Guidebook, trail map, and compass. * High-energy snacks. Two to four quarts of water, per person. * Flashlight or headlamp with fresh batteries. Sunscreen. * Insect repellent. * Plastic trash bags Consider carrying a sleeping bag in case you are forced to sleep out overnight. If you're traveling in a group, carry at least one sleeping bag. It is an emergency tool that can keep an injured hiker warm until help arrives. For more advice of preparing for your next hike, see: AMC offers over 8,000 outdoor programs each year, offers a wide range of educational programs, and maintains over 1,700 miles of trails in the Northeast. Most of all, we rely on the support of hikers like you. To join, visit AMC recommends hikers follow the hikesafe Hiker Responsibility Code, and minimize their impact on the backcountry by following Leave No Trace principles. hikesafe Hiker Responsibility Code You are responsible for yourself, so be prepared: With knowledge and gear. Become self reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather and your equipment before you start. To leave your plans. Tell someone where you are going, the trails you are hiking, when you will return and your emergency plans. To stay together. When you start as a group, hike as a group, end as a group. Pace your hike to the slowest person. To turn back. Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Fatigue and unexpected conditions can also affect your hike. Know your limitations and when to postpone your hike. The mountains will be there another day. For emergencies. Even if you are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life threatening. Don t assume you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself. To share the hiker code with others. hikesafe: It s Your Responsibility. To learn more, see: The Hiker Responsibility Code was developed and is endorsed by the White Mountain National Forest and New Hampshire Fish and Game. Leave No Trace principles to minimize backcountry impact Plan ahead and prepare. Know the terrain and any regulations applicable to the area you're planning to visit, and be prepared for extreme weather or other emergencies. Small groups have less impact on resources than large ones. Travel and camp on durable surfaces, which include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses, or snow. Camp at least 200 feet from lakes and streams, and focus activities on areas where vegetation is absent. Dispose of waste properly. Pack it in, pack it out. To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater. Leave what you find. Cultural or historic artifacts, as well as natural objects such as plants or rocks, should be left as found. Minimize campfire impacts. Cook on a stove. If a campfire is built, keep it small and use dead sticks found on the ground. Use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires. Respect wildlife. View critters from a distance. Feeding wildlife alters their natural behavior. Be considerate of other visitors. Be courteous, respect the quality of other visitors' backcountry experience, and let the natural sounds of the forest prevail. The AMC partners with Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, to provide Leave No Trace training in the East. For more on our LNT Master Educator training, see 6