Originally written January 14th, 2023 at 10:37am.
Hike Type: Out and Back
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation: 2156 feet
Time: 3 hours, 41 minutes (3 hours, 14 mintues Moving)
Hiking Challenges: New Hampshire 4000 Footers, Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge
The Hike
It was a Thursday morning in June and instead of working, Gen and I decided to drive up north to meet the smallest 4000-footer, Mt. Tecumseh. It was a beautiful early summer morning with temperatures in the low 50s which soon rose to a delightful upper 60s. We slept a little later than usual since it was a weekday and there wouldn't be too many crowds to avoid. We made it to the Waterville Valley ski area, drove in circles until we found the trailhead, and got started!
The sun was peeking through the hazy clouds right away as it peered over the Tripyramids, but we were soon in the woods. It was a very quiet morning with what appeared to be hundreds of baby butterflies resting on the ground. The trail was a bit rocky and root-y in the lower half, but nothing ridiculous. A great feature around the halfway point was a very short spur to one of the ski slopes that gave a beautiful view of the sun shining above the Tripyramids and other peaks. Everything was so green this day! (I might be saying this since I'm writing it in January of 2023 and I miss green things...).
After the view is when the stairmaster begins - endless stone steps for as far as the eye could see! I remember reading about this, but I don't remember it bothering me too much (or it's a classic type 2 fun situation). Eventually, the trail will begin to level out and come to a junction with the Sosman Trail, which would have views from the top of the ski area. We continued toward the summit.
There is a small loop trail that goes up and over the summit, and we took it clockwise. The character of the trail changes here - it feels more like wilderness and less like a good cardio workout, which was nice. The footing was also more rugged here, but again, nothing too crazy. Soon enough we were up at the summit! I was pleasantly surprised - I had heard that there wasn't a good view but I disagree - there was a lovely view of the area. I also always appreciate a summit disc!
We took a few photos, chatted with one other hiker who was a local getting her "morning hike in" (the dream), and then continued our hike by first finishing the loop and heading back to the junction with the Sosman Trail. We said we could either do the out and back on the Sosman Trail or head down the mountain and drive over the Welsh-Dickey for another hike, and we decided on the latter. We flew down the mountain and made it back to the car in no time. This may have been the day that I brought a couple Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches with me and left them on my dashboard to "cook" - and if it was this day - it worked! It was absolutely delightful. We took a break and a snack in the parking lot, and then drove not too far away for our next hike of the day.
Step-By-Step
Start hike at Waterville Valley ski area parking lot at Mt. Tecumseh Trailhead.
Follow yellow-blazed Mt. Tecumseh Trail up mountain, stopping halfway at the view spur.
At junction with Sosman Trail, continue on Mt. Tecumseh Trail.
At the trail split for the summit, choose either direction to reach the summit (we went left).
Summit Mt. Tecumseh!
Continue down the other half of the trail, taking care to not go to Tripoli Road.
Retrace steps to car.
This trail ascends Mt. Tecumseh, starting at Waterville Valley Ski Area at the top right (northwest) edge of the ski area parking loop road, across from lot 1. The trail climbs the east slope of Mt. Tecumseh then descends the northwest ridge to a parking area just off Tripoli Rd. (FR 30), 5.5 mi. east of I-93 (Exit 31, northbound ramp) and 1.2 mi. west of the Mt. Osceola Trail parking area.
Starting at a trail sign at the edge of the ski area parking lot, the trail crosses a small brook, where the trail was washed out by Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. At 0.3 mi. the trail crosses the brook and follows a section of trail along a small ridge above the north side. At 1.1 mi., the trail drops and recrosses the brook then climbs by switchbacks to intersect the former route, an old logging road, about 20 yd. from the edge of the ski slopes; good views can be obtained by following the old trail left to the edge of the open slope. THe main trail turns right and follows the rocky old road, with many volunteer-built rock steps and drainages, angling upward along the south side of the Tecumseh Brook valley and passing two more paths leading to the ski slopes. It then climbs steadily to the main ridge crest south of Mt. Tecumseh, where the trail turns right in a flat area. Here, at 2.2 mi., Sosman trail enters from the left, from the top of the ski area.
In another 120 yd., Sosman Trail forks left to ascend the summit from the west. Mt. Tecumseh Trail swings right, descending slightly to circle the base of the steep cone (passing a restricted view of Sandwich Mtn.), and finally climbs steeply to reach the summit from the north at 2.5 mi. The summit offers open views to the east. Care must be taken to follow the correct trail for the descent; new signage has improved the situation. Mt. Tecumseh Trail leaves north for the ski area and west-northwest for Tripoli Rd., whereas Sosman Trail runs almost due south along the ridge crest then turns sharply right (west) off the ridge and descends. [...].
