3,340 ft | Sandwich | 0 routes
As of October 17, 2026
Trail conditions on Middle Sister are currently rated Moderate. At 3:20 AM ET it was 31°F at the summit (3,340 ft), feeling like 19°F, with NW winds at 19 mph. See the hour-by-hour Middle Sister weather forecast for summit temps, wind chill, and the best hiking window.
Feels like 19°F
Conditions summary as of October 17, 2026
Cold, clear conditions with strong NW winds (sustained near 47 mph at the summit per the elevation profile) and wind chill near 3°F. Mid-October daylight is limited to about 11 hours, and recent rain followed by below-freezing temperatures raises the chance of icy rocks and frozen mud. Saturday is windiest, so Sunday offers calmer, milder conditions with no precipitation expected.
Summit is roughly 5°F colder than the trailhead with winds much stronger (about 30 mph at the trailhead vs 47 mph at the summit), dropping wind chill from 14°F to 3°F. The freezing level is near or below the trailhead, so expect frozen ground and ice along the whole route: start with a warm base, carry a windproof shell, and add insulation before reaching the open upper sections.
Best Hiking Window
Sunday late morning through early afternoon (after temperatures climb above freezing and ice melts; clearer and calmer than Saturday). On Saturday, start after sunrise and aim to finish well before dark.
Last synthesized Oct 17, 3:20 AM 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: Carter Ledge Trail, Middle Sister Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“A beautiful day with comfortable temperatures. Carter Ledge scrambles were dry and no problem. Great view from summit and relatively few people on these trails on a holiday weekend.”
Trail: Champney Falls Trail, Piper Trail, Middle Sister Trail, Champney Falls Cutoff
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail
“Great morning hike for Codys 52WAV list. Most of the trails and ledges were dry, but there was one lower section that was a bit wet (wet rocks and water running on trail). We arrived at the summit before the crowds; there were only a 4 others. There was at least one camp bus full of kids, and multiple other parties approaching as we left the summit. Of course, no one was on Middle Sister with us. Views were pretty good, could see for many miles.”
Trail: Champney Falls Trail, Champney Falls Loop, Piper Trail, Liberty Trail, Westside Trail, Middle Sister Trail, Champney Falls Cutoff
Conditions: Dry Trail
“This is a nice hike, I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this route. Kiki and her dog Pepper had not done it since she was a kid at camp. Not much water coming down the brook but the rocks and stone steps were still a lot of fun to see. we were surprised how few people were out hiking early but we did meet a young couple on their way down after watching the sun rise. The summit cone's faded yellow blazes are still a big help and the Forest Service should really repaint them since there are no rocks to build cairns. On the summit a twit was sitting on the high point and wasn't interested in moving. Only a dozen people were on the summit ledges. There was a nice breeze up high. (When I was on a high school outing club trip many moons ago I flew a baby bat kite on the summit.) We descended the Liberty Trail and took the West Side Trail back to avoid the masses that were headed up now. Plus it was in the shade--good for us and Pepper the dog. We decided to visit Middle Sister and the views from this trail to Chocorua the best. The stone foundation of the old fire tower is still standing. We enjoyed this hike and with the exception of the summit cone, the trails are gentle with good footing.”
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Trail reports across the Whites this week · Trailhead parking
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24°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 24°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
58 mph
Summit gusts
Waterproof shell
Daytime gusts near 58 mph above treeline, and a shell is what blocks it.
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.
Tucked within the Sandwich Range of central New Hampshire, this 3,340-foot summit offers a rewarding but demanding outing that earns its Very Difficult rating. The route to the top involves steep, rugged terrain with significant elevation gain and technical footing that will challenge even experienced hikers. As part of the 52 With a View (52 WAV) peak list, the mountain delivers on its scenic promise, with viewpoints that reward the effort with sweeping perspectives across the Sandwich Range and toward the higher peaks of the White Mountains. Some exposed sections near the summit provide above-treeline character that adds to the alpine feel despite the modest elevation. The trail character tends toward wild and less-maintained compared to more popular White Mountain destinations, giving hikers a sense of true backcountry exploration. Its combination of difficulty, views, and relative solitude makes it a satisfying objective for peak-baggers pursuing the 52 WAV list.
Elevation
3,340 ft
Range
Sandwich
Difficulty
Very Difficult
Coordinates
43.9648, -71.2702
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AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.