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Trail Description - Welch-Dickey Loop

The Welch-Dickey Loop goes over two rocky summits at the entrance to Waterville Valley, easily visible from I-93 near Exit 28. This trail is very popular with locals and youth groups as evidenced by the size of the parking lot and the number of cars usually there, but it does have real dangers. It is a great hike in good weather for athletic people who like scrambling over ledges, but otherwise should be avoided. If you have small children or clumsy friends, you might want to scout the route before inviting them or else be prepared to turn back.

There are three general kinds of rock ledges encountered on this hike:

• Large open slabs of moderately steep gradient often visible from the highway. While a tennis ball dropped here might roll several hundred feet, a hiker with good tread should be able to walk up and down them without slipping. The trail should be followed carefully to avoid steeper areas. Nervous people or those with inadequate footwear should stay away, and everyone should stay away in wet weather.
• Abrupt climbs up vertical steps of waist height or so, usually located in the woods so if you slip you will slide only to where you started. If your preferred method for getting up involves knees, long pants are better on the rough rocks.
• Adjacent to the trail but not on it are some genuine cliffs, so be careful to stay on the trail and watch wandering children and pets.

There are two versions of this hike that may be suitable for people who find the whole loop too difficult:

• The hike up to the first viewpoint on Welch Mountain requires only minimal ledge walking, and there are stunning views from the ledge.
• The ascent of Dickey Mountain by the return loop is much easier than going over Welch, involving only a couple of steep climbs and fewer steep slabs than going over Welch. Be sure to return the same way you came up instead of descending over Welch.

Distance: Around loop, about 4.4 miles

Elevation gain: About 1800 feet ascent, the same on descent

Hiking Time Estimator

Maps: USGS Waterville Valley
AMC Moosilauke-Kinsman or Crawford Notch-Sandwich Range

Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map I-7
DeLorme NHA&G 39-C13/B14 - Thornton/Waterville Valley
Waterville Valley is reached via NH Route 49 from Exit 28 of I-93

Trailhead: Parking area on Orris Road, off Mad River Road, elevation about 1100 feet
43.9052°N, 71.5883°W (WGS84)
WMNF fee site
From Exit 28 of I-93, take NH Route 49 NE about 5.9 miles, and turn L on Mad River Road. (There is a sign but it may sneak up on you.) After .7 miles turn R on Orris Road, and after another .6 miles turn R into parking lot. The trail leaves from the upper end of the parking lot.

Highest Point: Summit of Dickey Mountain, elevation about 2734 feet

Owner: White Mountain National Forest

Maintainer: White Mountain National Forest

Special regulations: No fires or camping near highway

Description

At the upper end of the new parking lot, walk up a wide path to a trail sign where the Welch-Dickey Loop turns R into the woods. The eroded road ahead is the Dickey Notch mountain bike trail which connects to the Dickey end of the loop, but most hikers should turn R to climb Welch first. The trail shortly crosses a brook on steppingstones and then runs parallel on the far side for .7 miles before turning uphill. After a long switchback to the R, there is a section of trail worn down to bedrock before the first open ledges are reached at 1.2 miles. This area is an alpine zone, and hikers should stay on the rock slab and avoid areas of dirt and grass where revegetation is desired. There are extensive views down the valley and up to the summits, making a hike to this point and return interesting for those not wanting to do the whole loop.

The trail reenters the woods and climbs, coming out on a large slab which it crosses diagonally uphill. This is the first of several on the loop, and anyone who has trouble here should probably turn around. The conifers with 1" needles are jack pine which are rare in the White Mountains. Later the trail returns to the woods and climbs more steeply over smaller ledges before coming out in the open again. The summit of Welch Mountain is just L of the trail at 1.9 miles and provides views in all directions. Beyond the summit, the trail descends one of the steeper open slabs before crossing the col and entering larger trees. The trail climbs some steep ledges before coming out in the open again.

• A cairn to the R on a flattish slab marks the beginning of a path marked only by cairns that leads about .2 miles to an open ledge with all-around views. The path continues faintly and unofficially beyond, dropping to another ledge and entering the woods. If you know where it goes, please tell us in the forum.

The main trail ascends another ledge and passes the wooded summit of Dickey Mountain at 2.4 miles. The trail descends in the woods and then down a steep slab before going back in the woods. The trail next runs along a longer but much easier slab at the top of some large cliffs, with short steep pitches getting on and off. Finally the trail descends moderately then more gradually in the woods, reaching the old woods road carrying the Dickey Notch mountain bike trail at 4.4 miles. The parking lot is about 100 yards to the L.

Off Season

The slabs are of course even more difficult and dangerous with ice or snow. The skill and equipment required for this hike in winter are greater than for many 4000-footers.

Map Notes: The USGS map does not show the large new parking lot.

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