2,532 ft | Sandwich | 0 routes
As of October 16, 2026
Trail conditions on Hedgehog Mountain are currently rated Moderate. At 1:20 PM ET it was 45°F at the summit (2,532 ft), feeling like 35°F, with S winds at 18 mph. See the hour-by-hour Hedgehog Mountain weather forecast for summit temps, wind chill, and the best hiking window.
Feels like 35°F
Recent Precipitation
Rain: 0.80" (24h) · 0.80" (48h)
Conditions summary as of October 16, 2026
Wet, windy and cool conditions with light drizzle, gusty southerly winds, and trails saturated from 0.8 inches of rain in the last 24 hours. Rock ledges and leaf-covered sections will be slippery, and a sharp temperature drop on Saturday with a snow chance could glaze wet surfaces. Sunday looks like the best day, but expect cold mornings.
Summit is only about 500 ft above the trailhead, so temperatures differ by just a few degrees, but winds are noticeably stronger up high (about 34 mph vs 26 mph). Dress in moisture-wicking layers with a windproof shell for the open ledges, and the freezing level is far above the summit so ice depends on overnight lows, not elevation.
Best Hiking Window
Sunday late morning through mid-afternoon, after the cold overnight low (23°F) warms up and ice on shaded rock melts; clear skies and no precipitation expected. Avoid Friday and Saturday if possible.
Last synthesized Oct 16, 1:20 PM ET
Planning a hike here this week?
Trailblazer adds the full 7-day summit forecast, the best day to go for every peak, and conditions for each route up.
Trail: UNH Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery
“The trail is in great shape, was a bit wet and slippery on the ledges from the recent rain. Met lots of people coming down from the summit, they had clouds up there till noon. When I hit the East Ledges by around 1 PM it was fairly clear except that Chocorua, Paugus and Wonolancet were still in the clouds. Great views of the foliage overall with the sun coming out from noon time on.”
Trail: UNH Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“First time up Hedgehog, conditions were overall great. Would recommend ascending the loop in a counter clockwise direction, as the steep, slippery rock faces are mostly part of the ascent. Be careful with wet ledges and rock faces, there were a few of slippery steps today. At the summit, the sun was breaking through and was joined by a slight breeze, mostly dry at the top.”
Trail: UNH Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“No snow or ice at this low elevation. The ground was unusually dry for this time of year. Some of the rock ledges in the evergreen forest were still wet from yesterday's rain. Many roots on the trail. The exposed ledges were mostly dry. No obstructions on the trail. I prefer hiking the loop in the clockwise direction in order to ascend the steep ledge sections. I stopped off at Allen Ledge on the descent (signed for short spur path). Good views from East Ledge, the summit, and a west outlook just steps away from the summit. Nice talking with hikers from the Cape Cod, Brookline MA, and Durham NH.”
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Trail reports across the Whites this week · Trailhead parking
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26°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 26°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
10h 52m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 5:56 PM, so a late start or a slow descent ends in the dark.
The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear
Conditions synthesized from: NWS Higher Summits Forecast, NOAA Open-Meteo, Mount Washington Observatory, NETC Trip Reports, NOHRSC Snow Depth.
Rising from the heart of the Sandwich Range in central New Hampshire, this 2,532-foot summit offers a rewarding moderate hike with scenery that punches well above its elevation. The UNH Trail is the primary route, forming a loop that winds through pleasant hardwood and mixed forest before delivering hikers to open ledges near the summit. These exposed rocky outcrops provide sweeping views of the surrounding Sandwich Range peaks, including Mount Chocorua and the Ossipee Mountains, making the modest elevation feel particularly well-rewarded. The open ledges offer a taste of above-treeline exposure without requiring a strenuous alpine climb. As a member of the 52 With A View peak list, this summit earns its place through those satisfying panoramic perspectives. The loop trail format adds variety to the experience, making it a popular and accessible destination for hikers seeking a half-day adventure in the Lakes Region foothills.
Elevation
2,532 ft
Range
Sandwich
Difficulty
Moderate
Coordinates
43.9742, -71.3672
Been to Hedgehog Mountain?
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AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.
1 incident on file · drawn from NH Fish and Game releases and regional reporting
39-year-old female from Chelmsford, MA
On October 18, 2025, Jennifer Schanke, 39, sustained an ankle injury on the UNH Trail on Hedgehog Mountain and was unable to walk. Her companion hiked out to find cell service and called 911. Fish and Game Conservation Officers and Lakes Region Search and Rescue carried Schanke out to the trailhead by 5:30 p.m.