Welch and Dickey Mountains

Pair Of Low Peaks Near Waterville Valley In The White Mountain National Forest Whose Loop Of About 4.4 Miles Crosses Long Open Granite Slabs With Big Views For Little Height; One Of The Most Popular Short Hikes In The White Mountains. · Thornton, New Hampshire

A pair of low, rocky peaks at the southern edge of the White Mountain National Forest near the Mad River valley, joined by a loop trail of about 4.4 miles that is one of the most popular short hikes in the White Mountains. What makes it special is how much open rock it offers for so little height: Welch Mountain at roughly 2,600 feet and Dickey Mountain at roughly 2,700 feet are covered in long, sloping granite slabs and ledges, so much of the loop is walked in the open with wide views over the valley, Sandwich Range peaks and the ski trails on Mount Tecumseh. The trail starts from a small lot on Orris Road in Thornton, a few miles off Route 49 from I-93 exit 28, and climbs through forest before breaking out onto the slabs. Most hikers go up Welch first, climbing the steepest rock, then cross a dip to Dickey and descend over more ledges back into the woods. The loop takes most people three to four hours. The lot fills early on fine weekends, a forest recreation pass is needed to park, and the slabs are slick when wet or icy.

Orris Road (Welch-Dickey trailhead), Thornton, New Hampshire, 03285, United States

The trail is open all year at all hours, with no gate or staff. The trailhead lot on Orris Road is reached by paved and gravel roads that are plowed irregularly in winter (confirm), and it can be icy or blocked by snowbanks from about December to March. Any vault toilet at the lot may be closed or not serviced in winter (confirm). The loop is safest from about late May to late October; in winter and the April and early May thaw the slabs are coated with ice or running water and need traction or should be avoided. On fine weekends from June to October the lot often fills by about 8 or 9 in the morning.

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