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The Blueberry Ledge Trail runs from the Ferncroft parking area near Wonalancet to near the summit of Mount Whiteface. The first half of the trail is relatively easy, but the remainder contains steep sections including ledges which are hazardous when slippery.
Distance: From Ferncroft parking area to junction McCrillis Trail/Rollins Trail, about 3.8 miles one-way
To peakbagger summit of Mount Whiteface, about 4.1 miles one-way
Elevation gain: To junction McCrillis Trail/Rollins Trail, about 2900 feet, nominal on return
To peakbagger summit of Mount Whiteface, add 100 feet each way
Maps:
USGS Mount Chocorua, Mount Tripyramid
AMC Franconia-Pemigewasset or Crawford Notch-Sandwich Range
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map I-7/8
DeLorme NHA&G 40-C5 to 40-B4 - Albany/Sandwich/Waterville Valley
The trail is located in the NE corner of Sandwich and usually approached from NH Route 113-A near Wonalancet
Trailhead: Ferncroft parking area, elevation about 1140 feet
43.9141°N, 71.3575°W (WGS84)
From I-95 at Portsmouth, take the Spaulding Turnpike N and continue on NH Route 16 when the Turnpike ends. About 63.4 miles from I-95, turn L on NH Route 113 at Chocorua village and go W 2.9 miles to Tamworth. Turn R on NH Route 113-A and go 6.6 miles to Wonalancet.
Turn R on Ferncroft Road and go .5 miles to sign for hiker parking, go R .1 miles to lot and signboard.
While the public road continues another .2 miles to the trailhead, this is the last legal spot to park
Far End: Junction with McCrillis Trail and Rollins Trail near summit of Mount Whiteface, elevation about 4000 feet
Owner: private and White Mountain National Forest
Maintainer: Wonalancet Out Door Club
Special regulations: Sandwich Range Wilderness
The Blueberry Ledge Trail now ascends more steeply over the overgrown blueberry ledges, passing the upper junction with the Blueberry Ledge Cutoff at 2.0 miles. The forest changes from softwoods to hardwoods, and the trail alternates uphill with flattish sections. At 2.7 miles, the trail becomes steeper and climbs roughly 700 feet in half a mile to a knoll from which the cone of Whiteface is visible ahead. The trail descends slightly to the junction with the Tom Wiggin Trail at 3.2 miles, a steep and rough alternate approach.
The Blueberry Ledge Trail circles L to a clifftop viewpoint with a bypass to the R for those who wish to avoid the exposure. Above this were once two flights of wood steps bolted to rock, which have been removed in accordance with Wilderness policies just leaving the drill holes. The trail zags L to the foot of a short cliff which it climbs, then passes a spring located just below the site of Camp Heermance which has been removed. It reaches some ledges with a survey marker near the junction with the McCrillis Trail and the Rollins Trail at 3.8 miles. Views can be obtained from the highest ledge and one a short ways down the McCrillis Trail. The Rollins Trail allows a loop to Mount Passaconaway which also uses the Diceys Mill Trail. The viewless peakbaggers summit of Mount Whiteface is located .3 miles along the Rollins Trail.
Parking lot plowed in winter.
Map Notes: The Camp Heermance shelter has been removed.
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