Mt. Pemigewasset (2x) (Double Pemitration) (White Mountain National Forest)

Mt. Pemigewasset (2x) (Double Pemitration) (White Mountain National Forest)

Hike Type: Out-and-back-and-out-and-back

Distance: 6.85 miles

Elevation: 2,497 feet

Time: 2 hours, 55 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2026

The Hike 

How this hike came to be: I knew I wanted to hike either before or after skiing Cannon, and while perusing Strava I came across a local athlete who did Mt. Pemigewasset eight times (insane). Naturally, I looked at his segments, and to my DELIGHT I saw that the segement for doing it twice in a row is called "Double Pemitration." Now, I love two things: a segment, and a silly and slightly dirty play on words. I was sold! I knew Mt. Pemi wasn't that difficult of a hike, so it was fully within my wheelhouse (plus the full trip would be just over six miles and 2000 feet - so doable. Since there was an overnight freeze, I decided I'd let Cannon thaw out in the morning and do my hike before skiing. I woke up around 5:00am (after a lousy night of sleep - I blame mostly the ramen) and started my drive, landing at the Flume Gorge parking lot just around 7:30am.

[7:42am - Franconia Notch Bike Path]

I suited up at my car with only one other car in the parking lot and soon walked right up to the Franconia Notch Bike Path, past an informational sign that read:

"Constructed as part of the Franconia Notch Parkway this path, completely separate from the Parkway, traverses the length of Franconia Notch and provides access to all park facilities and natural treasures."

After a very short walk easily uphill and almost slipping on black ice, I came to the Mt. Pemigewasset trailhead.

[7:44am - Mt. Pemigewasset Trail]

Mt. Pemigewasset was the first mountain I ever climbed in the Whites (and the third hike, after Lonesome Lake and Artist Bluff) back in 2020, so it was fun to be revisiting. The Mt. Pemigewasset Trail easily descended with some icy footing to cross underneath US-3, and then rose again to cross a brook on a bridge that featured both forest fire prevention and bear prevention signs. 

The trail turned after the bridge onto a stable monorail that faded in and out, eventually dipping and turning to cross underneath I-93 Northbound, which had a few inches of ice on the ground, and then rose gently to cross I-93 Southbound, which had much friendlier footing. 

I continued to follow the seemingly fresh blue blazes up some stone stairs for about 20 feet until I pulled over to shed my layers down to my long sleeve base layer. It felt delightfully warm in the sun - so warm that I wished I wore shorts instead of long pants!

The Mt. Pemigewasset Trail continued to climb at an easy to moderate grade, easily crossing three streams that are likely dry in other seasons. The trail meandered for a bit, sometimes over not-too-slippery monorail, eventually crossing a slightly larger stream than the previous three (still easily, though). The forest was really pretty, too!

I climbed up through some unproblematic mud - the kind where you're not fighting for your life but you're glad that you wore waterproof boots! There were some tree views over to the Franconia Ridge, but not for much longer - spring is on its way!

I started to get a bit sweaty as the grade increased again and I finally put my spikes on. After the muddy section, the snowpack is pretty consistent for the rest of the climb. On average, there was probably 6" of snow, with some bare spots and some deeper spots. The monorail was doing it's thing, though! It made me glad I started with the hike instead of skiing because I feared this would turn to mush in the coming hours. 

The trail continued it's easy-to-moderate climb and steepened a bit more as the forest transitioned over to mostly coniferous trees - I remembered this part vividly becuase Emma and I kept talking about how much we love it when the "biomes" change on hikes! The snow in the coniferous stretch was very much spring snow - frozen, but covered in needles and twigs. It smelled like a Christmas Tree! I missed this smell.

[8:28am - Mt. Pemigewasset Trail/Indian Head Trail]

Not long after entering the coniferous forest, I came to the junction with the Indian Head Trail. I very much do want to do the hike from this side, or at least the loop, but I was hellbent on getting the Double Pemitration Strava segment! The final push involved a small bit of navigable ice and one pseudo-scramble, but soon, I made it!

[8:31am - Mt. Pemigewasset Summit]

The summit area really is just wonderful. I dropped my spikes on a tree just before it opened up, and the view is vast on a huge open ledge. On the right was South Kinsman followed by Mt. Wolf and Mt. Moosilauke just after Mt. Wolf - Mt. Wolf really looks huge from this vantage point! Next on the left was I-93, Lincoln, and Loon. 

I noticed that the blue blazes continued around the corner of the ledge, so I followed them with a little "bushwhack" in the woods to avoid some icy ledges. From a second obstructed viewpoint I could see Loon Mountain Ski Resort, and from a third, which I believe is the true summit (no disc to be found under all the snow), was a tree-framed view toward Liberty and Flume. I didn't stick around for long, because I had a second lap to do!

[8:38am - Mt. Pemigewasset Trail]

[8:39am - Mt. Pemigewasset Trail/Indian Head Trail]

I put my spikes back on and started my descent, passing the Indian Head Trail after just a minute, and eventually existing the conifer forest. I had my first crazy red squirrel yelling at me of the year! The tops of my feet were hurting on the descent, likely from my ski boots, but they felt better once I took my spikes off further down. It was warming up NICELY down low - I was a little nervous about the softening snow. Slowly, the sounds of running water were replaced with the cars on I-93, and before I knew it, I was back at the Bike Path! Lap #1 took me 3.46 miles over 1 hour and 31 minutes (I guess technically 1 hour and 29 minutes if we're just counting the trailhead sign). 

[9:13am - Mt. Pemigewasset Trail/Franconia Notch Bike Path]

Up #2 started with a bunch of birds cheering me on. I went under the three tunnels and began to climb. I noticed once my spikes were back on that the snow was DEFINITELY feeling softer - I kept just hoping that the monorail would hold! I was starting to feel HUNGRY on this climb - thankfully I had a breakfast sandwich back at the car. The squirrels and chipmunks were all waking up to do their morning chores as my legs were definitely starting to feel more tired. 

I noticed a white-capped Lafayette through the trees, which brought me joy. The warm temperatures of the sun-drenched deciduous forest gradually got replaced by a cold breeze in the coniferous forest, and soon enough, I passed the Indian Head Trail and was back at the top!

[9:54am - Mt. Pemigewasset Trail/Indian Head Trail]

[9:57am - Mt. Pemigewasset Summit]

Naturally I took a bunch of the exact same photos as before. The only thing that had changed over the past hour and a half was the lighting! The first summit visit was angled direct sunlight, and this time it was leaning slightly overcast. Either way, it was a delight! If I didn't have skiing to do (I say like I wasn't itching to get skiing...) I would have stayed for a bit.

[10:02am - Mt. Pemigewasset Trail]

[10:03am - Mt. Pemigewasset Trail/Indian Head Trail]

I put my spikes back on and went into the woods for a nice, quick descent. The snow was even softer than before, to the point where I wish I had my gatiers. I took my spikes off at saw my first people du jour at 2 hours, 32 minutes and 5.78 miles. They looked wildly unprepared for a winter-esc hike. They probably could make it to the top in bareboots, but it would not be a pleasant time!

Further down, I began to hear the highway and began to pass MANY more people (I guess the (9:30/10 start time is alive and well). I passed another duo and then another, the second of the two was an older couple in jeans and normal shirts who appeared to be having a BAD time. I crossed the largest stream and crossed a trio followed by a solo, all of whom looked prepared. Two more just after them, and another two following the last small crossing. Everyone since the jeans were looking well prepared, at least! I went under I-93, passed a solo hiker in jeans and a leather backpack, and then I went under US-3 and passed a prepared hiker with her leashed puppy clearly training the puppy to be a good hiking companion - cheers!

[10:35am - Mt. Pemigewasset Trail/Franconia Notch Bike Path]

[10:37am - End of Hike]

I passed one more on the Bike Path, stomped over the previously frozen portion, and was back at my car! I did all of my changing at my car for skiing (I parked far away from the main spots for this reason), had my second breakfast, and synched my watch. To my HORROR I didn't see the Double Pemitration segment! Turns out, that is a running segment and NOT a hiking segment. I was FURIOUS. I'm still deciding if I'm spiteful enough to pay for a Strava subscription just so I can make it a segment... to be determined...

Step-by-Step

- Park at Flume Gorge parking lot.

- Start hike on Franconia Notch Bike Path.

- At jct., turn left onto the Mt. Pemigewasset Trail.

- Hike to summit, and back, and to the summit, and back.

- At Bike Path, turn right and return to car.

Photo Album