White Ledge Loop

Monday October 19, 2020

For anyone looking for a moderate hike with a view in the White Mountains, this is a solid hike. There is not much to it, the majority of the trail runs through nice forest with virtually no water and consistent tree cover before reaching White Ledge. The view at the top is a good one and the grade is only strenuous for a few stretches.

This was a nice hike for me on a day when I was relaxing in a rented home in Madison, NH after a Flat Mountain Pond Backpack. I was not highly motivated to go hiking while in such a cozy place, but knew I would regret missing out on the White Mountains while only steps away. It was also still in the heart of the foliage season. So I picked the closest moderate hike with a view, strapped up my boots, and drove fifteen minutes to the trailhead.

The gate to White Ledge Campground was closed but I was able to park in front of it. I walked through the campground, which probably would not be my first choice as a place to camp in the National Forest since there is not much privacy for each campsite. The leaves of the many beech trees created a pretty omnipresent yellow throughout the hike.

After just over a quarter mile, I reached the loop junction and turned right. If I had decided to take a left, a direct path would have brought me to the summit of White Ledge and cut a mile off this hike by returning the same way. The scenery was consistent throughout the hike. The climb was moderate and became steep right before reaching a height of land 1.3 miles into the hike. I then descended steadily for a half mile before the climb resumed at a prominent left bend in the trail.

From here, the climb was consistent and a bit steeper than the lower part of the trail. A bit over halfway up the second climb, I reached a slide which would be slick in wet conditions, but did begin to offer views. Immediately after a clearing opened up. I explored the area for vistas through the trees. The best view was from the top of the area right before re-entering the woods. I could only just see over the trees in front of me but the best views awaited me at the summit.

A little more climbing brought me to the highest part of the hike and some beautiful east-facing views greeted me to the left. It had taken me an hour and a quarter to reach this point while moving at a brisk pace with only a few breathers. Here, only a couple trees obstructed the view and I was able to look east over the beautiful late-season foliage. I didn’t see any notable peaks, but the colors were spectacular. My White Mountain Guide said, “a better view east is reached by an obscure sidepath that leaves the main trail 60 yd. north of the high point and leads 50 yd. down to open ledges.” I never saw this detour, maybe you can have better luck if you venture out yourself.

A short bit after beginning the descent I had a mostly obstructed view of Mount Chocorua. I love seeing this peak no matter the circumstances. While snapping pictures of it, my phone died so those are the last of my photos of the hike. The beginning of the hike down was fairly steep but gradually became more manageable and I was able to move quickly. The scenery was about the same as the way up and I made it back to my car, to finish the entire hike, in less than two hours and returned to my cozy rental.