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| The Only Peak Views of the Day, Tripyramids from Pine Bend Brook |
Jagged peaks and huge rock slides distinguish the Tripyramids as among the most unique-looking peaks in all the Whites. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see them. Although the rain had subsided, daybreak brought fog and low cloud cover, marring vistas over the entire day. We started the hike at the Sabbaday Falls picnic area, which was closed for construction, forcing us to park on the side of Kancamagus Highway. Sabbaday Brook Trail is noted for its many stream crossings, many of which proved more difficult than expected. But we managed to rock hop without incident.
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| APC Looking for a Crossing Point on Sabbaday Brook |
The trail then cuts due West, around the Fool Killer, a peak that hides the Tripyramids and "fools" the uneducated hiker into thinking it is the final peak. Once around the Fool, it is steeply uphill to the Mt. Tripyramid Trail that runs along the ridge connecting the three peaks - two of which are on the 4,000 footer list. After running south to get the middle peak, we broke out a thermos of DD coffee procured that morning. I'm convinced that winter hikes require that kind of reward.
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| Middle Tripyramid Summit in Grandpa Hudson's LL Bean Jacket |
After a full clothing change, necessary because of spitting precipitation and heavy perspiration from a tough, fast-paced climb, we crossed the north peak and began the descent. Not wanting to repeat the Sabbaday Brook crossings, we took Pine Bend Brook trail down and highway-hiked back to the car.
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| Winter has arrived, North Tripyramid |
Peak: Middle and North Tripyramid
Elevation: 4,140 feet and 4,180 feet (Gain: 3,100 feet)
Distance: 11 mile
Route: Loop, via Sabbaday Brook Trail, Mount Tripyramid Trail, Pine Bend Brook Trail, Road Walk
Conditions: Fog, flurries, 30-35 degrees F
