Mount Chocorua 9/6 2009

It is likely that I have climbed Chocorua more than any other mountain - I am able to recall at least twenty visits to it's rocky summit.  Why?  Well, it's awesome.  It's the closest real mountain to Portland, just 10 minutes from Center Conway.  And it's awesome.  It was my first real hike to a summit many years ago.  Did I mention that it is awesome?  Spectacular views and many ways to climb it.


I was in the mood for a day hike having done the Presi Traverse two days earlier - the weather was ideal and I had to play a gig that evening in Portland so it had to be a relatively short trip.


In the past my routes of choice were usually the Champney Falls Trail, which climbs the mountain from the north side, starting from the Kancamagus Highway or the Piper Trail, which climbs the from the south is also a great way to do it.  There are some interesting loops to be done from this side, incorporating the Nickerson Ledge or the Weetamoo Trail.


This time I chose a loop of the Brook Trail to the summit and then descending by the Liberty Trail climbing from the west side.  The ride up was uneventful, you pass Chocorua Lake and turn right, crossing a small bridge - at first I was slightly confused by the no tresspassing signs, but they mean to keep you out of the woods not off of the road.

 I want this to be the road to my house someday!  The weather couldn't have been nicer and I was very excited for the walk.  The trailhead was filled with cars being a holiday weekend and all, but I saw very few people until the summit.  The Brook Trail gradually follows a brook (whaddayaknow!) until it meets the Liberty Trail close to the summit cone.  The grade was steady and I cruised up to the first set of ledges.  The guidebook was right, this would SUCK-DIDDILY-UK with any ice or even just rain, slick ledge with no handholds - if you blew it it would hurt badly.  But today it was easy going - I met a couple with two dogs and had a laugh - the little dog was deftly running up and down the ledge with his large lab counterpart was crying and whining at the prospect.

At the junction I took a nice break and enjoyed the view of Whiteface, Passaconaway and the Tripyramids. I had allowed six hours for the 8 mile round trip to ensure I'd be back in time.  In my business showing up to work late is not an option!  I soon found myself at the base of the summit cone and could see and hear people. Lots of people. Over one hundred people in fact.  I found a place to sit and have a snack and enjoyed the view.

I thought I heard someone calling my name and I was right!  What a nice surprise to see my music friends Will and Rosita and family on the summit!  We chatted a bit and they took a picture for me.  My what a small world we live in.

Beautiful view of the Whites

After a short while I started down, there were so many people coming and going it was downright humorous!  Heading down toward Jim Liberty Cabin I remembered the enormous chains lashing it to the rock. A funny entry in the cabin journal said "We arrived at the cabin we realized our plans to steal it had been thwarted by the 1/2" thick steel chains!"

Continuing down the trail maintained a nice even grade and the descent flew by. There were a few hikers heading up - it's always fun to see families on the trail. I got back to the car and was happy to note it had been 3.5 hours round trip.  

I was ready for a swim and drove back up the dirt road to Chocorua Lake where I swam for almost half and hour, I wore my trail runners in and gave em a good washing as they were quite nasty from the traverse 2 days before. A young brother & sister were swimming nearby and it was fun to listen to their back and forth banter.

I called ahead for a Flatbread Pizza in North Conway, and brought it and myself to where West SIde Road crosses the river and laid out in the green field there and ate my pizza and half slept for a bit. Had a nice ride back to town, ready for a nice evening on the deck at the Portland Lobster Company making some music!  Yay!

and then.. a good night's sleep followed by Franconia Ridge tomorrow afternoon!