Sandwich Mountain Fall Foliage Hike

Super weather for hiking in peak foliage at New Hampshire’s White Mountains! The Algonquin Trail is fantastic! What a super trail. Easy first mile to stretch the legs on the old road with a climb up to Black Mountain Pass. Beautiful woods.

One scramble was particularly challenging! After we handled the first tough one the others were not a problem. Plenty of rock/root footholds, always something to grab. Many open ledges with fantastic views in all directions.  We cleared a path that was blocked with debris to a ledge with tremendous views of the Mad River Valley Mountains.  

We were done with the scramble challenges when we reached Black Mountain, just above the Black Pond trail junction with a spectacular view point! We liked it better than the Sandwich Dome summit. We then had a long ridge walk with limited partial views, but we had the cool feeling of the land falling away to valleys on either side of us. There were carpets of moss on the sides of the trail in many sections. Parts of the woods are a very pretty blend of ferns, lichen, hobble, brush, mushrooms and towering hardwoods and softwoods. Ideal for a sunny day, especially the way the trail weaves thru these areas, sometimes tough and other times easy, it all lends to the enchantment.

We had the summit of Sandwich Dome to ourselves for most of the time we were there. From the summit, one can reportedly view 35 four thousand footers including Mt. Washington!

We saw about 5 people on the Algonquin trail. We highly recommend this one. Beautiful colors from our views throughout, weather was crisp and we couldn’t have asked for a better day!  

Awesome hike! It was a gorgeous day with panoramic views. Another friendly group of guys. Thanks for the awesome day fellas!!! 

This peak overlooks Waterville Valley, whose fall colors should be on full display at this time! This peak is on both the New England 100 Highest and 52 with a View lists. We’ll be hiking up the less used Algonquin Trail with few people on a busy Columbus Day Weekend.

The hike is about 9 miles, 2,850 elevation gain, and provides many extensive views from the open ledges on the southwest shoulder, sometimes called Black Mountain; Sandwich Mountain has fine views north over Waterville Valley. The varied terrain includes a few steep climbs, some technical terrain and one difficult/intimidating rock scramble for those with a fear of heights with a thirty foot drop directly behind it if you slipped.

Don't forget to bring wind/rain shell, water, lunch, snacks, warm hat/gloves, fleece, etc. along with whatever you typically have for a hiking excursion in autumn. We’ll have lunch on top of the summit. 

Social Mixer: Following the hike, everyone is welcome back at our house in Waterville Valley, socialize around the deck and/or fireplace and enjoy dinner! It's BYOB and it costs $10 per person. 

Lodging Option: Bunk beds are available at our house near Waterville Valley, NH for Friday and Saturday night. Its $25 dollars for Friday night and $25 for Saturday night. Coffee/bagels each morning and linen/blankets/towels are provided. We have 4 bunks available so the first 4 guys that contact us to reserve will get one; and let us know which night[s] you’ll be lodging with us. You’re on your own for dinner Friday night but you’re welcome to use our kitchen facilities to cook!