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Mt Whiteface, Mt Passaconaway - page 3 of 4

Shortly after passing Camp Heermance, I reached the south summit ledges of Mt Whiteface at the junction of the McCrillis Trail. While not quite as high as the true summit a short distance to the northeast, it was more spectacular, and there were good views to the west and south. I stopped for lunch (peanuts and Fritos) on the highest ledge, enjoyed the sun and views, fended off the annoying blackflies, then headed down the Rollins Trail toward the true summit of Mt Whiteface and the ridge to Mt Passaconaway.

The Rollins Trail left the south summit, losing about 100 ft of elevation, then met the Downes Brook Trail at the site of Camp Shehadi, another log shelter that looked almost identical to Camp Heermance, and in about the same state of repair. From here, the Rollins trail rose slightly to the true summit of Mt Whiteface, which was wooded and not particularly interesting.

I continued down the Rollins Trail, which followed the 2-˝ mile long ridge that runs between Mt Whiteface and the base of the Mt Passaconaway summit cone. The Rollins Trail reminded me a bit of the Twinway. There were minor ups and downs, and a sheer but tree-lined drop-off into a glacial cirque known as The Bowl on the right. About 15 minutes along the trail, I passed a mother/daughter team doing trail maintenance. After that, I only saw a few birds and small animals, including a toad. I also saw a number of trees that were deformed by the weather.

After gently dropping about 800 ft, the Rollins Trail rose again to meet the junction with the Dicey’s Mill Trail. I stopped for a snack, and watched a chipmunk running around in the brush by the side of the trail.

Camp Heermance. One of three Adirondack-style log shelters maintained by the Wonalancet Outdoor Club, Camp Heermance was in poor repair. It was still in better shape than Camp Rich though, which had recently collapsed.

Camp Heermance.jpg (283913 bytes)

Self-portrait on the south summit of Mt Whiteface. These not-so-great pictures of myself are a definite downside of my otherwise enjoyable solo hiking.

Me on Whiteface South Summit Ledges.jpg (187577 bytes)

Weird tree on the Rollins Trail. The wind and winter weather can often cause trees to grow in some odd formations.

Weird Tree on Rollins Trail.jpg (321776 bytes)

Toad on the Rollins Trail. Besides birds, this toad is one of the few animals I generally see while climbing or backpacking in the White Mountains. Most of the larger animals, like moose, deer, or bear, usually stay safely out of sight.

Toad.jpg (288599 bytes)

Dicey's Mill Trail junction. Together with the Blueberry Ledge and Rollins Trails, the Dicey's Mill Trail forms a nice loop over Mts Whiteface and Passaconaway from Ferncroft Rd.

Dicey's Mill Trail Sign.jpg (268696 bytes)

Map

  Whiteface,  Passaconaway page: 

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