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The Champney Falls Trail leads from the Kancamagus Highway (NH Route 112) past the scenic Champney Falls to the N ridge of Mount Chocorua. It is one of the most popular ways to climb the mountain because the trailhead is easy to find, the grade is relatively uniform, and it is the highest starting point. Unfortunately the hordes of hikers have left a rocky and eroded footway.
Anyone climbing Mount Chocorua must do some rock scrambling at the top. Obviously this is a peak to avoid in bad weather.
Distance: To Piper Trail, about 3.2 miles one-way
To summit of Mount Chocorua, about 3.8 miles one-way
Elevation gain: To Piper Trail, about 2000 feet ascent, nominal on return
To summit of Mount Chocorua, about 2300 feet ascent, nominal on return
Maps:
USGS Mount Chocorua
AMC Crawford Notch-Sandwich Range
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2004-2005 map I-8
DeLorme NHA&G 44-K6/40-A7 - Albany
Albany is the next town W of Conway; the trailhead is on the Kancamagus Highway (NH Route 112) E of Exit 32 of I-93.
Trailhead: NH Route 112 (Kancamagus Highway) about 10.9 miles W of NH Route 16 in Conway, elevation about 1260 feet
WMNF fee site
N 43.9899, -71.2991 (WGS84)
Take I-93 Exit 32 at Lincoln and go E on NH Route 112 (Kancamagus Highway) about 25.6 miles to sign and parking lot on R - sign may incorrectly read Champney Brook Trail
Upper End: Junction with Piper Trail, elevation about 3180 feet
Owner: White Mountain National Forest
Maintainer: White Mountain National Forest
Special regulations: No fires or camping near highway or falls or in Mount Chocorua Scenic Area
The Champney Falls Trail leaves the E end of the parking lot and soon crosses a bridge over Twin Brook, just beyond which the relocated Bolles Trail leaves R. The Champney Falls Trail crosses some minor brooks and soon reaches Champney Brook and continues up the near bank on a wide trail. It soon turns sharp R and climbs to a small ridge along which it runs parallel to the brook before descending to near the brook again. From here the trail gradually angles away from the brook in hardwood forest. At 1.4 miles a loop trail leaves L for Champney Falls.
The main trail ascends on steep sidehill to the upper junction with the loop at 1.7 miles, then continues its sidehill ascent for some distance. Approaching the pass between the Three Sisters and Mount Chocorua the trail begins to switchback, and the Champney Falls Cutoff leaves L at end of one switchback at 3.0 miles for a shortcut to Middle Sister. As the Champney Falls Trail levels off, the Middle Sister Trail leaves L for the Three Sisters, and after a slight descent of 100 yards, the Champney Falls Trail ends at the Piper Trail at 3.2 miles. Follow the Piper Trail R .6 miles to the summit.
Parking lot plowed in winter.
Map Notes: The USGS 7.5' map contains several errors, including showing the old route of the Bolles Trail near the trailhead, missing the upper falls loop, missing switchbacks near top, and missing the Champney Falls Cutoff.
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