Mts Whiteface and Passaconaway

[MtnMagic]

Date Hiked: Saturday, August 30, 2003

Trails Hiked: Blueberry, Rollins, and Dicey’s Mill

Total Distance: 11.9 miles, 8 hours and 3,800’ elevation gain

Difficulty: Moderate and enjoyable!

Conditions: Sunny, warm, clear, bright and cheery!

Trip Report:
Sky, Ghostdog, and I met at the Flat Mtn. Pond Trail parking lot on the Whiteface Intervale Road where we originally planned the hike up the easy but longer McCrillis Trail to avoid the ledges on the Blueberry Trail. After a brief discussion we scratched that idea and decided to head for the ledges!

The country setting in this area remains a wonderful visit to rural New Hampshire. We smiled throughout the drive on Route 113A as we proceeded to the Town of Wonalancet. Wishing the ride was longer, suddenly the well-kept white church appeared. We turned on to Ferncroft Road then into the large trailhead parking lot signaling the end of the drive.

Soon after we crossed Squirrel Bridge, we met a solo female hiker who showed us a half shopping bag full of mushrooms as she happily smiled and bid us a great day. Which it certainly was! It is a great hike up the scenic trail and the enjoyable rock scrambling up Blueberry Ledge is challenging, yet most enjoyable!

A little known historical fact: Just after the ledges where the former ladder used to be with the drilled holes remaining, you soon arrive at the false summit. At the junction of the McCrillis Trail where the open ledge with the super views remain. It is here that evidence of the former plaque that was a memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. cemented in place about ten or so years ago was promptly removed by the Forest Service.

About 20' west of this location, you descend maybe 10'. A plaque purposely hidden from casual view from above reads, "In Memoriam Louis S. Tainter, 1862 – 1920. In the acquisition of lands for this National Forest he rendered a notable service and in conformity to his wish his ashes repose herein.” Tainter's plaque is the only one authorized by the Sandwich Range Wilderness management plan.

Tainter was Vice President of Conway Lumber Company, which operated the logging railroad along the Swift River. Much of Whiteface was included in his company's holdings. Katherine Sleeper Walden and Edgar Rich secured a sales option on the parcel including the south ledges of Whiteface. They then persuaded SPNHF to buy the land and hold it until the Government could come up with the funds. Tainter was very sympathetic to the cause and the deal probably wouldn't have gone through without his help, or without the clause that gave him the right to have his remains interred on the ledge.

The actual summit of Whiteface (4020’) is .3 of a mile further on the Rollins Trail that has flagging around a 2" diameter tree over a few rotted roots. We merrily continued and encountered a uniformed female USFS Ranger with a very large Golden Retriever who hikes the trails daily. Paid to hike – now that’s a great job!

The weather was a little chilly and windy at the top of Passaconaway, which has an elevation of 4043’. The viewpoint, .3 of a mile north of the summit (that seems to be longer) provides awesome panoramic views. We became almost hypnotized at beauty of the Tripyramids, the Franconia Range, Twins, Bonds, Willey Range, the Presidentials, the Moats, Chocorua and dozens of peaks that reaches far into Maine. We were delighted to view fresh bear tracks in the mud on the trail.

After a visit to the charming old cemetery, we drove on the quiet country road Route 113, witnessing fields and farmhouses, surrounded by mountains and accompanied by a glorious red sunset. At the Victorian Corner House Inn at the junction of Routes 113 & 3 in Center Sandwich, we had a gourmet meal that was not just salubrious, it was simply enchanting.
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The trip is in the journey not the goal!

[MtnMagic]

Last week on the AMC bulletin boards, Stopher supplied the info in paragraphs four and six and corrected my original management plan. The correct name is the Sandwich Range Wilderness. Thank you, stopher!