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The Liberty Trail ascends Mount Chocorua from Paugus Road, mostly following the bridle path to the former hotel near the summit. Most of the trail is wide with moderate grades, but above Jim Liberty Cabin there are rock slabs to be crossed, and the final climb to the summit contains some steep slabs. Obviously this peak should be avoided in thunderstorms or when the slabs are slippery.
All major trails reach the summit of Mount Chocorua by a single footpath at the top, descriptions are written as if each trail ends there. Because of hikers' boots and fierce weather, trail markings on rock slabs are often worn and hard to see, but hikers should try to follow them as off-trail routes can be difficult or dangerous.
Because the slabs on the Brook Trail are traversed vertically and those on the Liberty Trail at more of an angle, it may be easier for those doing a loop hike to go up the Brook Trail and down the Liberty Trail.
Distance: Paugus Road parking lot to summit of Mount Chocorua, about 3.8 miles one-way
Elevation gain: About 2400 feet, nominal on return
Maps:
USGS Mount Chocorua
AMC Crawford Notch-Sandwich Range
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map I-8
DeLorme NHA&G 40-B6/A7 - Albany
Albany is on NH Route 16 between Ossipee and Conway
Trailhead: Gate on Paugus Road, elevation about 900 feet
43.9174°N, 71.2938°W (WGS84)
WMNF fee site
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 about 3.3 miles to Fowlers Mill Road. Go R 1.2 miles and turn L on Paugus Road. Continue .8 miles to gate and parking lot.
In summer months, Fowlers Mill Road can be followed from its E end at Chocorua Lake, but this route is not maintained in winter.
Upper End: Summit of Mount Chocorua, elevation about 3500 feet
Owner: White Mountain National Forest
Maintainer: White Mountain National Forest
Special regulations: No fires or camping on upper part of trail, in Mount Chocorua Scenic Area. Up to 9 people may stay in Jim Liberty Cabin but they must bring portable stoves for cooking.
The Liberty Trail leaves from the parking lot on a wide path and climbs over a ridge before crossing Durrell Brook. Above this the trail is steeper with wood and rock steps to the junction with the Hammond Trail at 2.7 miles. The trail, sometimes eroded to bedrock, climbs over a knoll and reaches Jim Liberty Cabin at 3.2 miles. This cabin, rebuilt on the former hotel stable site, is maintained by the U.S. Forest Service and in summer 2004 is available for 9 people first come-first served although in the past it has sometimes been locked and available by reservation only. Above this the trail frequently angles up rock slabs, often with a walkway chiselled for hotel patrons over a century ago.
The junction with the Brook Trail is reached at 3.5 miles with the junction with the West Side Trail 50 yards beyond; go R at both for the summit. The trail angles L a little more to a point just below the summit where it joins the Piper Trail. Turn R and ascend steeply up a rock gully 100 yards to the summit area.
Unknown
Map Notes: NA
Jim Liberty Cabin with Chocorua
Liberty Trail blasted section
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