North & Middle Tripyramid - 8-6-11

This past weekend, my brother and I hiked North and Middle Tripyramid. As with the last few weeks, we were in NH on Friday night and left around 4am from Tilton on Saturday morning. On the way to the trail head, we were treated to a gorgeous pink sunrise as we passed the Sugar Hill scenic outlook on the way to the Pine Bend Brook trail head. We started up the trail a few minutes after 5am, just as it was light enough for no headlamp.

Pine Bend Brook Trail

The lower section of the Pine Bend Brook Trail is very pleasant and easy going. Although it had the makings of a nice day, it was humid and still wet from possible over night rains and general humidity. We passed the wilderness boundary, and continued on. In a short distance it starts to ascend much more steeply. With the ground and some rocks being wet, this made the footing rather difficult. The rocks on this trail seem to have a coating of wet moss on them, making them deceivingly slippery. Some slippery, some not, so extra care was needed along that section, but past that everything was a walk in the park.

We joined the Mt. Tripyramid Trail and proceeded the nearly 1 mile to North Tripyramid through a beautiful and flat section of woods that was littered with scattered rays of morning sunshine. There are no views from North Tripyramid summit, which was my 42nd, and Bill's 22nd summit.

Mt. Tripyramid Trail

Me and Bill on the summit of North Tripyramid

The half mile from North Tripyramid to the intersection with the Sabbaday Brook Trail descends very briefly down some large rocks, but nothing too difficult. Within a few short minutes, we were at the trail sign, and continued on to Middle Tripyramid. The trail is so flat, it seemed like we were on two summits within just a few minutes. There is a viewpoint just feet short of the summit with views to Mt. Tecumseh (Waterville Valley Ski Area).The summit of Middle Tripyramid offers restricted views to Passaconaway, Whiteface, the Sleepers, and South Tripyramid can be seen through the trees.

View of Waterville Valley from Middle Tripyramid

After a short break for some trail snacks while we looked over Waterville Valley, we headed back to the Sabbaday Brook Trail junction. We opted to skip South Tripyramid on this trip.

We thought the Pine Bend Brook was a pretty steep route, so we decided to switch it up and head down via the Sabbaday Brook Trail. Looking at the map, it appeared it would be slightly less steep, and we were hoping for better footing. We got the better footing we wanted, and again we were treated to the same lush environment that follows the Sabbaday Brook once you turn the corner around the Fool Killer.

Lush environment of the Sandwich Wilderness

We made it to Sabbaday Falls and were treated to a beautiful waterfall where many day tourists were gathered enjoying the day. We had not seen Sabbaday Falls before and were very impressed at the formation and the beauty of the falls and the pools. There are so many roadside places like this in the Whites with waterfalls and unique geological features, and after seeing Sabbaday Falls, I hope to make an effort to visit the many others when possible. We ended our hike at 11:45am, approximately 6hrs and 45 min later, as we FINALLY reached the car after our 1 mile walk along the Kancamagus back to the Pine Bend Brook trail head. 

Sabbaday Falls

In comparison to my other hikes on my quest for the 48, this one was the most uneventful and boring, if there is such a thing. However, I have learned that the Sandwich Range Wilderness is beautiful and is unique among the rest of the Whites. Not that I have ever been in a rain forest, the lush environment of this area resembles one you think of. Although not much in terms of views, hiking the forested ridge trails over the mountains of the Sandwich Range is something to experience.

Hike Stats
Trails: Pine Bend Brook Trail, Mt. Tripyramid Trail, Sabbaday Brook Trail, Rte112
Distance: 11 miles
Elevation Gain: 3100 ft

To view the photo album from this trip, please view or click on the slide show below.