Summary

Join in for this great 9.5 mile loop hike, which will encompass the steep Carter Ledges, the Three Sisters and the summit of Mount Chocorua.  While not a 4000-footer, Mount Chocorua has the feel of one.  It is very rugged and has excellent 360-degree views of the surrounding lakes, mountains, and forests.  Mount Chocorua's distinctive, bare summit can be seen from almost every direction and can be identified from many points throughout central New Hampshire and western Maine.

The hike will start at the Piper Trailhead then on to the Nickerson Ledge Trail, Carter Ledge Trail to the Middle Sister trail which will take us over the Three Sisters (subpeaks) back to the Piper trail and onward to the summit.  Our decent Our descent will be via the Liberty trail onto Hammond to the Weetamoo then back onto Piper. There are lots of spectacular views along this route! To quote one website: “Mt. Chocorua looks like the summit of a peak you may find in the Colorado Rockies!”

Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous

Estimated Elevation Gain: 2900 feet

Estimated Round Trip Distance: 9.5 miles

Estimated Duration (with lunch): 7.5 hours

• If you are uncomfortable with heights and some steep landscape, this may not be the hike for you.
• Rain or harsh weather may postpone to another date or cancel, as appropriate.
• Carpooling:  Contact other participants or the trip leader to arrange for a rideshare to the trailhead.
• Afterwards:  If there is sufficient interest, we will have drinks and/or dinner in the area.

Hiking Essentials: Appropriate hiking boots with good traction are a must.See the following link for other recommendations:

https://www.gayoutdoors.org/page.cfm?typeofsite=storydetail&id=992&storyset=yes

Some fun historical references:   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Chocorua

Directions To Trailhead Parking Lot

Meeting Time :  8:15am

Hike Start:  8:30am

FROM POINTS SOUTH CONVENIENT TO ROUTE 16:  From Portsmouth, NH, drive Route 16 North for roughly 70.8 miles to the Davies Campground and General Store (see above). Davies Campground and General Store (located on the left just before Moulton Drive) is roughly 5 miles from where Route 16 and 113 cross in Albany, NH.

FROM POINTS NORTH ON ROUTE 16: Heading south on Route 16 – Davies Campground and General Store (located on the right just after Moulton Drive) is 6.1 miles from where Route 16 and 112 (Kancamagus Highway) cross in Albany, NH.

FROM POINTS SOUTH CONVENIENT TO ROUTE 93:  Take Route 93 to Exit 23.  Take Route 104 East for 8.2 miles.  Turn onto Route 3 and follow for 0.9 miles to the intersection with Route 25.  Take Route 25 for 19 miles and then turn onto Route 113 East.  Follow NH 113 for 2.9 miles. Just after the village of Tamworth, turn right onto Page Hill Road.  Follow this for 3 miles to Route 16 in Chocorua (NOTE:  If you stay on NH 113, you'll get to the same point.).  Take Route 16 North for 6 miles to the Davies Campground and General Store (on your left just before Moulton Drive). 

The trailhead parking area is accessed by a dirt road off NH Rt 16 behind Davies Campground and General Store, 6.1 miles south of the junction with the Kancamagus Hwy (Rt 112) in Conway.  Look for a white Honda CRV.

For GPS Users:  43.939451, -71.225266  (approximate address 2509 NH Route 16; Albany, NH – at the intersection of Moulton Drive).