Rumford Whitecap Mountain (Mahoosuc Land Trust)
Distance: 5.11 miles
Elevation: 1,578 feet
Trail Descriptions
Elevation: 1,578 feet
Time: 2 hours, 52 minutes
Hike Type: Out-and-Back
Hiking Challenges: Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge
Hike Type: Out-and-Back
Hiking Challenges: Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge
The Hike
Day two of vacation! Our plans for today were to hike Rumford Whitecap Mountain and then head over to Black Mountain of Maine for some more skiing. We thought about doing a true sunrise hike, but due to forecasted colds and partial to full cloudiness, we opted for a “start in the dark and hike while the sun is rising” hike. Our alarms went aggressively off at 5:00am, we slowly got our stuff together, we met the lovely “grandma” who was getting breakfast ready (and insisted we take a muffin with us, and made sure that someone knew where we were going so we were safe), and did the short 15-minute drive over to the trailhead. The trailhead had room for 6-8 cars if they parked well, and miraculously had a porta potty! I was particularly nervous about having to use the bathroom, since the urge usually hits while I am driving to the mountains. I did a short, COLD christening of the toilet, and we got going!
Trailhead temperature was a solid 1 degree, but thankfully the air was still. We crossed the road, put spikes on, and we were off! The trail conditions were good here, with a few post holes off to the sides, but nothing too gnarly. The trail followed what felt like a logging/woods/atv road for the first bit, and then the trail branched off after a backcountry skiing map. From here, the trail climbed at easy to moderate grades, which thankfully would persist the whole time.
We varied through hardwood and coniferous forests, and really enjoyed watching the first light hit the surrounding mountains through the trees. In warmer months there would be a good number of stream crossings, all of which were frozen over here. Our first mile was slow due to figuring out our layers - it was cold! We both had frozen hair and eyelashes, and my poor buff was rock solid.
Further up we entered “zone 2” - the partially open slabs. There were great views toward the skies, but no views out in this area. The trail was still well-packed, but there were some dicier post holes around. We passed two people who were up top for the actual sunrise, so we figured we did the right thing as humanitarians by waiting the extra hour so they could have the summit to themselves. We also passed the junction to Black Mountain up here, and we joked that if only we brought our skis we could go!
The trail continued over some snow-covered bog bridges and eventually hit the third and final one - open slabs - the “white cap.” The trail was more difficult to follow up here since there were lots of ski tracks and any snowshoe tracks had been blown over. Generally, the crust was firm so we didn’t have a problem sans a few spots, but I would recommend snowshoes for this area. With every step the views increased in all directions - really spectacular.
The sun was shining through the thin clouds as we approached the summit, and we found a benchmark summit marker! Such a fun surprise. There were views toward Old Speck, the Royces (which I’ve seen from the Baldfaces), two other small ski areas, the town of Rumford and Rumford Mill, Black Mountain, and many, MANY others. We planned to stay up here for a bit, but it was COLD COLD. With a slight breeze, -9 degrees. We took some photos, bundled up, and started our return. We now understood why the two people who passed us earlier were VERY bundled.
The return in zone three was just beautiful, and zone two was easy going. We passed two uphill hikers during this time. Overall, the descent was quick and easy, but we had to be more cognizant of the portholes - my ankles did get caught a couple of times. Soon enough we were back in zone one, and even sooner back at the car!
We did a quick change and drove back to the Circle K next to our hotel for caffeine, saw grandma again while we got our hotel waffles, and got ready to head over for skiing day two!
EDIT FROM FUTURE ME: I forgot to mention we passed someone heading up the mountain as we were descending. We pulled over, she said “thank you, enjoy your hike down,” and before I processed that last word I said “you too!” Horrible. Anyway, turns out it was local hiking celebrity, Ilse Dunbar!
Step-By-Step
- Follow Orange/Red (Iles) Trail from parking lot to summit and back!
Trail Descriptions
"Rumford Whitecap Mountain Preserve" from Parking Kiosk
The Rumford Whitecap Mountain Preserve is a 761 acre undeveloped tract of land that includes part of the summit and the south slope of Rumford Whitecap Mountain (elev. 2214'). The preserve includes 132 acres of bald summit with open ledges providing outstanding 360 degree views.
The land within the preserve was purchased by Mahoosuc Land Trust in 2007. It was aquired through teh generosity of over 500 donos as well as grants from the Lands for Maine's Future board and five charitable foundations. Mahoosuc Land Trust is proud of its work to protect this mountain.
The summit of the mountain is accessible by two trails, the Orange/Red marked trail starting directly across the road from this kiosk, or the Starr trail, marked with yellow flags and blazes, starting at the grey gate 150 yards farther north along the road. The trails merge about 2 miles up the mountain and continue another half mile to the summit.
"Rumford Whitecap Mtn. (2,214 FT.)" from Maine Mountain Guide, 11th Ed. (2018)
The 752-acre Rumford Whitecap Mtn. Preserve in Rumford is the signature conservation property of the Mahoosuc Land Trust. The preserve includes the bald summit ridge and south slopes of Rumford Whitecap Mtn., which offers panoramic views and plenty of blueberries in season. Two maintained trails ascend the mountain from the southwest.
From the jct. of US 2 and ME 5, 0.5 mi. west of Rumford Point, go north on ME 5 toward Andover. At 2.8 mi., turn right (east) and cross the Ellis River. At 3.2 mi., turn left onto East Andover Rd. and, in another 0.2 mi., reach the trailhead parking area on the left. Red/Orange Trail begins at a red gate directly across the road. Starr Trail begins about 100 yd. north on East Andover Rd. at a gray gate.
"Red/Orange Trail" from Maine Mountain Guide, 11th Ed. (2018)
From the gate (red/orange markers), follow the woods road and soon reach a register box on the right. Pass throug a log yard and bear left. Climb gradually to reach a trail jct. on the left at 0.3 mi. This trail (green markers) leads northwest about 0.1 mi. to cross a stream on a bridge before joining the Starr Trail.
Beyond the jct., Red/Orange Trail continue to follow the woods raod, climbing moderately. Ahead, the road narrows in a level area and bears left (sign: to foot trail). Climb steeply on switchbacks and rock steps, contour to the east for a short distance, and then resume climbing. Cross a semi-open area, then cross a wide track (the old trail route to the summit, more direct but steep and eroded). Ahead, follow cairns over ledges to finally merge with the old trail route. Turn right on the wide, eroded trail and climb easily ot the jct. with Black and White Trail on the right at 1.5 mi. (leads 4.8 mi. to the summit of Black Mtn. and then to the base lodge of the Black Mtn. ski area), and with Starr Trail (yellow markers) on the left at 1.8 mi. Continuing ahead on Red/Orange Trail, climb gradually up the ridgeline through semi-open terrain to reach the ledges of the open summit at 2.5 mi. The 360-degree view is spectacular and includes Black Mtn. to the east, the high peaks of the Mahoosuc Range to the west, the White Mountains of New Hampshire farther west and to the south, Mt. Zircon and many other summits of the Oxford Hills. (Note: a portion of teh Rumford Whitecap summit is privately owned. Please stay on the trail and practice Leave no Trace.)
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