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Mount Willey
4,285 feet
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Mount Willey
4,285 feet
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#2
Stickball13 
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- Location:Atkinson, NH
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Posted 07 Aug 2007 - 07:20 AM
Journal: 7/16/05
Mount Willey — 4285 feet
Ethan Pond Trail
Willey Range Trail
Boot time to summit: 2:45
Elevation gain: 2850 feet
Length of trip: 5.4 miles
The trailhead is located south on route 302 a few miles after passing the Willey House Visitor Center. The day started off real nice, it was another beautiful day.
As we started the hike we crossed the railroad tracks that go between Fabians and the Mount Washington Hotel and North Conway. The trail follows an old logging road parallel to the Avalanche Brook. Soon we came to the trail leading to the Ripley Falls, we continued on the Ethan Pond Trail towards Mount Willey. This part of the trail was pretty easy with very little elevation gain. After about 1.5 miles the Ethan Pond Trail went left towards the Ethan Pond Campground while the Willey Range Trail continued straight ahead.
With the summit 1.1 miles ahead Jeanne thought we were in good shape to reach it within 30 minutes. I kept telling her that something is not right and that I think the trail is going to get very difficult. At least that’s what I have read about the trail description. I was right, and then came the ladders. Ladder after ladder going straight up the side of a cliff. This was a steep and very difficult section for me. Jeanne thought it was hard but not as difficult as I thought it was.
Just before the summit there were excellent views looking east towards Crawford Notch. We finally made it to the summit where we enjoyed lunch with perfect views for miles.
On the way down we stopped and talked to people on two occasions. The first was very brief. There were two Spanish people, one of them was a young woman; maybe in her early 20's who appeared to be limping. The guy with her was a little older. We asked her if she was ok and if she need some help. She said she was fine so we continued down the trail. A short while later we came to a stream crossing and there was a young guy about 20 year’s old sitting on a rock eating. He had a very large pack so we knew he was backpacking and had been in the woods for a few days. We asked him how long he had been hiking and he told us that he started at Katahdin Maine on the Appalachian trail a month ago and planned to continue until he finished in Georgia. He was telling us that for the last few days he spent time exploring the Presidential Range by taking many side trails. He was having a great time in the White Mountains and wanted to spend a little more before he continued on for the next 2000 miles.
We continued down the trail to where you can follow the trail back to the Ripley Falls where we met the injured girls Mother and Father. They asked us if we had seen a girl that was having a hard time walking. We told them yes we passed her about one hour ago and she wasn't doing very good, we told them we offered to help but she refused. They were very concerned and didn’t know what to do. We again offered our help by telling them we would hike out to the car and get help. They said no, so we continued our hike towards Ripley Falls. After spending a few minutes at the falls we continued back to the car. We never heard -anything about the girl.
Mount Willey was one of the hardest mountains we have hiked.
Mount Willey — 4285 feet
Ethan Pond Trail
Willey Range Trail
Boot time to summit: 2:45
Elevation gain: 2850 feet
Length of trip: 5.4 miles
The trailhead is located south on route 302 a few miles after passing the Willey House Visitor Center. The day started off real nice, it was another beautiful day.
As we started the hike we crossed the railroad tracks that go between Fabians and the Mount Washington Hotel and North Conway. The trail follows an old logging road parallel to the Avalanche Brook. Soon we came to the trail leading to the Ripley Falls, we continued on the Ethan Pond Trail towards Mount Willey. This part of the trail was pretty easy with very little elevation gain. After about 1.5 miles the Ethan Pond Trail went left towards the Ethan Pond Campground while the Willey Range Trail continued straight ahead.
With the summit 1.1 miles ahead Jeanne thought we were in good shape to reach it within 30 minutes. I kept telling her that something is not right and that I think the trail is going to get very difficult. At least that’s what I have read about the trail description. I was right, and then came the ladders. Ladder after ladder going straight up the side of a cliff. This was a steep and very difficult section for me. Jeanne thought it was hard but not as difficult as I thought it was.
Just before the summit there were excellent views looking east towards Crawford Notch. We finally made it to the summit where we enjoyed lunch with perfect views for miles.
On the way down we stopped and talked to people on two occasions. The first was very brief. There were two Spanish people, one of them was a young woman; maybe in her early 20's who appeared to be limping. The guy with her was a little older. We asked her if she was ok and if she need some help. She said she was fine so we continued down the trail. A short while later we came to a stream crossing and there was a young guy about 20 year’s old sitting on a rock eating. He had a very large pack so we knew he was backpacking and had been in the woods for a few days. We asked him how long he had been hiking and he told us that he started at Katahdin Maine on the Appalachian trail a month ago and planned to continue until he finished in Georgia. He was telling us that for the last few days he spent time exploring the Presidential Range by taking many side trails. He was having a great time in the White Mountains and wanted to spend a little more before he continued on for the next 2000 miles.
We continued down the trail to where you can follow the trail back to the Ripley Falls where we met the injured girls Mother and Father. They asked us if we had seen a girl that was having a hard time walking. We told them yes we passed her about one hour ago and she wasn't doing very good, we told them we offered to help but she refused. They were very concerned and didn’t know what to do. We again offered our help by telling them we would hike out to the car and get help. They said no, so we continued our hike towards Ripley Falls. After spending a few minutes at the falls we continued back to the car. We never heard -anything about the girl.
Mount Willey was one of the hardest mountains we have hiked.
#3
sdways01
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Posted 09 Jul 2011 - 07:21 AM
Mt. Willey, Mt. Field, & Mt. Tom
7-7-11
Kedron Flume Trail - Ethan Pond Trail - Willey Range Trail - Mt. Tom Spur - A-Z Trail - Avalon Trail - Walk back to truck
Distance: 7.34 mi. (on mtn) 10.5 mi. (total)
Elevation Gain: 3,047 ft. (overall) 3,574 ft. (total)
Time: 7:26 (on mtn) 1:22 (walk back to truck)
Leaving from the Willey House Site it was still a little cloudy, but this was predicted to go away. The trail heads into the trees behind a picnic area and is pretty easy walking. It works its way to the left before switching back to the right and going up the side of the hill until you reach where it crosses the railroad tracks. The trail heads straight across the tracks and up into the woods before following the side hill more. It continues pretty easy until the brook crossing at Kedron Flume. There wasn't much water here so it was a problem, but it looks like if there were it could be a bit slick. You can take in the small view from here before heading further up the trail. After Kedron Flume, the trail gets rockier, steeper, and today more muddy (there was a thunderstorm the night before). Some of the sections of trail now can bit a bit difficult with poor footing and being steep. This doesn't really go away until the Ethan Pond Trail.
Shortly before Kedron Flume
The Ethan Pond Trail can have some big rocks in it, but only gently gains elevation so it is a nice break from what you just did. You aren't on this trail long before it diverges to the right and you start out on the Willey Range Trail. Once on the Willey Range Trail it starts to head back uphill steeper again. It isn't too bad to start, but soon gets to some much steeper and washed out sections as well as coming to a series of wooden steps built into the trail made of old trees. Shortly after this you come to a series of 10 wooden ladders built going up the trail. From the base you can only make out about 6 of these before you see the trail turn to the left. One wouldn't think stairs/ladders would be hard, but with gaining almost 100 ft of elevation in a very short distance isn't easy any way you do it.
About the first half of the ladder section
After the ladders, the trail continues to stay quite steep and a bit rocky. After leaving the ladders around 3500 ft of elevation, this section of trail seems to just keep going on with no real breaks. But all of a sudden you will come to a path at a small unreadable sign that leads to the right and to a very rewarding view. This makes the hard climb all worth it.Just up the trail from this is the summit and just on the other side of the summit is another smaller view to the west.
A great view to the East across the notch
Heading down from Mt. Willey the trail is pretty easy and gentle with no real hard spots. Once it reaches the low point of the saddle and starts heading back up, it does get rockier and a little steeper. Shortly before the summit you will also come to one steep rock scramble and climb. When you reach the summit there is a small path leading to an opening on your right with views to the north and the presidential range. There is also a more limited view through a couple trees to the west a few feet past the summit on the trail.
View to the North from the small opening on Mt. Field
The trail going down Mt. Field again is quite easy not being very steep and only have a few rocky sections. You gradually work your way down in and out of some thick trees until you come to the A-Z Trail and turn right for a couple hundred feet. The Mt. Tom Spur leaves to your right and is marked by a small sign on the other side of the trees you are facing. The Mt. Tom Spur is pretty easy as well with only one steep rocky section. Today it was a bit muddy for the length of it, but not too bad. Near the summit I first took the trail to the left to get to the actual summit before going on the trail to the right to the view point.
The only harder section on the Mt. Tom Spur
Almost as soon as I had my bag down on the ground at the summit, I heard something. When I looked, it was the first of what was going to be 3 Gray Jays checking me out. Having plenty of experience with these guys from snowmobiling, I knew they wanted a snack. So I got out some of my cookies and started making friends. After going through some cookies and taking some pictures, I headed over to the view point on the Eastern side of the summit.
The Gray Jays like cookies as much as I do
The view over here is another one of the great views of whites in my mind. Where you are standing you can't make out any roads and the only civilization you can see is the observatory on Mt. Washington. It is hard not to enjoy a site like that.
Great view from Mt. Tom
After having something to eat, taking in the view, and chatting with three hikers that are studying to be catholic priests (there was a group of them scattered all around hiking) I headed back down. Starting back down the A-Z Trail, it was a little steep and rocky with many stone arranged as steps in the trail. None of them were overly big so it wasn't too hard going though. After getting onto the Avalon Trail the hiking got even easier and continues to do so the closer to the end you get. After coming out at the Crawford Depot, now I had to do was walk the about 3 miles back to my truck.
The summit of Mt. Washington finally came out of the clouds by the time I got to Mt. Tom
Looking down into the notch at Mt. Webster
Mt. Willard Section House foundation
Willey Brook Bridge overlooking the notch
For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE
7-7-11
Kedron Flume Trail - Ethan Pond Trail - Willey Range Trail - Mt. Tom Spur - A-Z Trail - Avalon Trail - Walk back to truck
Distance: 7.34 mi. (on mtn) 10.5 mi. (total)
Elevation Gain: 3,047 ft. (overall) 3,574 ft. (total)
Time: 7:26 (on mtn) 1:22 (walk back to truck)
Leaving from the Willey House Site it was still a little cloudy, but this was predicted to go away. The trail heads into the trees behind a picnic area and is pretty easy walking. It works its way to the left before switching back to the right and going up the side of the hill until you reach where it crosses the railroad tracks. The trail heads straight across the tracks and up into the woods before following the side hill more. It continues pretty easy until the brook crossing at Kedron Flume. There wasn't much water here so it was a problem, but it looks like if there were it could be a bit slick. You can take in the small view from here before heading further up the trail. After Kedron Flume, the trail gets rockier, steeper, and today more muddy (there was a thunderstorm the night before). Some of the sections of trail now can bit a bit difficult with poor footing and being steep. This doesn't really go away until the Ethan Pond Trail.
Shortly before Kedron Flume
The Ethan Pond Trail can have some big rocks in it, but only gently gains elevation so it is a nice break from what you just did. You aren't on this trail long before it diverges to the right and you start out on the Willey Range Trail. Once on the Willey Range Trail it starts to head back uphill steeper again. It isn't too bad to start, but soon gets to some much steeper and washed out sections as well as coming to a series of wooden steps built into the trail made of old trees. Shortly after this you come to a series of 10 wooden ladders built going up the trail. From the base you can only make out about 6 of these before you see the trail turn to the left. One wouldn't think stairs/ladders would be hard, but with gaining almost 100 ft of elevation in a very short distance isn't easy any way you do it.
About the first half of the ladder section
After the ladders, the trail continues to stay quite steep and a bit rocky. After leaving the ladders around 3500 ft of elevation, this section of trail seems to just keep going on with no real breaks. But all of a sudden you will come to a path at a small unreadable sign that leads to the right and to a very rewarding view. This makes the hard climb all worth it.Just up the trail from this is the summit and just on the other side of the summit is another smaller view to the west.
A great view to the East across the notch
Heading down from Mt. Willey the trail is pretty easy and gentle with no real hard spots. Once it reaches the low point of the saddle and starts heading back up, it does get rockier and a little steeper. Shortly before the summit you will also come to one steep rock scramble and climb. When you reach the summit there is a small path leading to an opening on your right with views to the north and the presidential range. There is also a more limited view through a couple trees to the west a few feet past the summit on the trail.
View to the North from the small opening on Mt. Field
The trail going down Mt. Field again is quite easy not being very steep and only have a few rocky sections. You gradually work your way down in and out of some thick trees until you come to the A-Z Trail and turn right for a couple hundred feet. The Mt. Tom Spur leaves to your right and is marked by a small sign on the other side of the trees you are facing. The Mt. Tom Spur is pretty easy as well with only one steep rocky section. Today it was a bit muddy for the length of it, but not too bad. Near the summit I first took the trail to the left to get to the actual summit before going on the trail to the right to the view point.
The only harder section on the Mt. Tom Spur
Almost as soon as I had my bag down on the ground at the summit, I heard something. When I looked, it was the first of what was going to be 3 Gray Jays checking me out. Having plenty of experience with these guys from snowmobiling, I knew they wanted a snack. So I got out some of my cookies and started making friends. After going through some cookies and taking some pictures, I headed over to the view point on the Eastern side of the summit.
The Gray Jays like cookies as much as I do
The view over here is another one of the great views of whites in my mind. Where you are standing you can't make out any roads and the only civilization you can see is the observatory on Mt. Washington. It is hard not to enjoy a site like that.
Great view from Mt. Tom
After having something to eat, taking in the view, and chatting with three hikers that are studying to be catholic priests (there was a group of them scattered all around hiking) I headed back down. Starting back down the A-Z Trail, it was a little steep and rocky with many stone arranged as steps in the trail. None of them were overly big so it wasn't too hard going though. After getting onto the Avalon Trail the hiking got even easier and continues to do so the closer to the end you get. After coming out at the Crawford Depot, now I had to do was walk the about 3 miles back to my truck.
The summit of Mt. Washington finally came out of the clouds by the time I got to Mt. Tom
Looking down into the notch at Mt. Webster
Mt. Willard Section House foundation
Willey Brook Bridge overlooking the notch
For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE
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