3,500 ft | Sandwich | 0 routes
As of October 17, 2026
Trail conditions on Mount Chocorua are currently rated Moderate. At 3:20 AM ET it was 30°F at the summit (3,500 ft), feeling like 18°F, with NW winds at 19 mph. See the hour-by-hour Mount Chocorua weather forecast for summit temps, wind chill, and the best hiking window.
No routes available for this peak.
Liberty Trail (3.5 mi) · Piper Trail (3.8 mi)
Feels like 18°F
Conditions summary as of October 17, 2026
Cold, clear conditions with freezing temperatures and strong NW winds, especially near the summit. Recent rain followed by below-freezing temps likely means icy patches on ledges, rock slabs, and wet sections of trail. Plan an early start to make the most of the 11 hours of daylight.
Trailhead is about 29–43°F but the summit drops to 23–39°F with winds roughly 30 mph at the base increasing to around 48 mph aloft, putting wind chill near 2°F up high. Start with a moderate layering system and add insulation, windproof shell, and gloves before leaving tree cover; the freezing level sits near the trailhead elevation, so expect icy conditions throughout the hike.
Best Hiking Window
Saturday late morning through early afternoon, or Sunday starting mid-morning after sunrise; Sunday looks calmer, clearer, and slightly warmer with 0% precip. Aim to be off the summit well before the afternoon cools and winds persist.
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: Liberty Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“Another visit to Chocorua, mainly to check on the relocations for the next White Mountain Guide. Thanks to everyone involved in this project, great work! It was pretty smooth sailing up to the cabin, where things start to get more interesting. I also took the spur path down to the spring. I could have sworn there was a "water" sign at the cabin itself but it wasn't there today and the start of the path wasn't obvious. The first sign is encountered after the path begins to descent through the woods. The spring itself had a meager flow from yesterday's rain but the pool was full enough to keep you alive (after filtering). Some ledges in the woods remained wet but out in the open the wind has dried things out. Definitely breezy and cool up top but not crazy and the south side of the summit provides good shelter. Million dollar views as always!”
Trail: Liberty Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“This was a two day, not really necessary to put up a report for yesterday. We hiked to the Jim Liberty Cabin, "made our beds (put thermarest and sleeping bags on bunks. Went a little further on the trail to see the sunset. Today, we were up for the sunrise and then went to the summit. I Very good trail, eroded in some areas. There are a few tricky ledges, just take your time.”
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.”
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Trail reports across the Whites this week · Trailhead parking
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23°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 23°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
59 mph
Summit gusts
Waterproof shell
Daytime gusts near 59 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.
Rising from the eastern edge of the Sandwich Range in New Hampshire, this striking 3,500-foot summit is one of the most recognizable peaks in the state, featuring a dramatic rocky cone that stands prominently above the surrounding landscape. The exposed granite summit offers sweeping 360-degree views, including Lake Chocorua in the foreground and the Presidential Range to the north, making it among the most photographed mountains in New England. Multiple trail routes approach the peak, with several miles of above-treeline scrambling near the top demanding careful footing on open ledges. Rated Difficult, the final push to the summit involves hands-on rock climbing sections that require reasonable fitness and experience. A fixture on the 52 With A View peak list, it rewards hikers with exceptional panoramas that far exceed what its modest elevation might suggest.
Elevation
3,500 ft
Range
Sandwich
Difficulty
Difficult
Coordinates
43.9543, -71.2733
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AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.
22 incidents on file · 1 fatal · drawn from NH Fish and Game releases and regional reporting
a 22-year-old from Newmarket, NH
On October 11, 2026, a hiker slipped and injured his left knee on the Champney Falls Trail on Mt. Chocorua, about 2.5 miles from the trailhead, and could not bear weight. With no cell service, a passing hiker went toward the summit to get a signal and call 911. Fish and Game officers and Lakes Region SAR splinted the knee and assisted him walking out, reaching the trailhead at 7:32 p.m.
a 72-year-old from Rowley, MA
On October 8, 2026, at about 5:15 p.m., a 72-year-old hiker called for help with a medical emergency approximately 2 miles from the Piper Trailhead on Mount Chocorua. Fish and Game Conservation Officers, Conway Fire and Rescue, and the U.S. Forest Service responded. He hiked out with assistance, met a Conway ambulance at about 7:55 p.m., and was taken to Memorial Hospital in Conway.
Robert Hickey, a 65-year-old from New Castle, NH
On July 11, 2026, Robert Hickey, 65, slipped and fell on the Piper Trail on Mt. Chocorua, sustaining a knee injury that left him unable to walk approximately 3.2 miles from the trailhead. NHFG Conservation Officers and Lakes Region Search and Rescue Team responded and carried him by rescue litter to the trailhead, arriving at 7:42 p.m. He was transported to a hospital for evaluation and treatment.
a 24-year-old from Lincoln, Rhode Island
Paul Carvalho, 24, slipped on a wet rock near Champney Falls and injured his ankle. He continued hiking for approximately 3 hours before being unable to bear weight and called 911. Fish and Game and LRSAR carried him approximately 3.2 miles to the trailhead, arriving at 2:15 a.m. on July 11.
51-year-old female from Wolfeboro, NH
Payne slipped and fell, fracturing her left ankle, 3.1 miles from the trailhead while serving as a counselor for Boy Scout Troop 232. The group splinted the fracture and iced it; Fish and Game and Lakes Region Search and Rescue carried her down, reaching the trailhead at 8:05 p.m. Fish and Game described the group as well prepared.
76-year-old female from Conway, NH
Sandra Rourke, 76, injured her knee while descending the Liberty Trail on Mt. Chocorua on September 12, 2025, approximately 2.2 miles from the trailhead. She had ascended via the Champney Falls Trail and summited before the injury occurred. Fish and Game Conservation Officers and Lakes Region Search and Rescue carried her out in a rescue litter, arriving at the trailhead at 12:15 a.m. on September 13.
Joshua Donovan, 20, and his sister Alyssa Donovan, 18, both from Lawrence, Massachusetts
Joshua Donovan (20) and Alyssa Donovan (18) became lost off the Brook Trail on Mt. Chocorua while descending from near the summit. Joshua sustained a hip injury after falling multiple times while following the brook attempting to self-rescue. Rescuers located them at 10:40 p.m. a short distance from the Brook Trail and assisted them out by 11:45 p.m.
58-year-old male resident of Montreal, QC
On October 19, 2024, a 58-year-old hiker from Montreal, QC suffered a fatal medical emergency on the Piper Trail on Mt. Chocorua, approximately 2.0 miles from the trailhead. Family members and passing hikers with medical experience assisted him, and CPR was performed for over an hour, but the efforts were unsuccessful.
25-year-old female from Bellingham, MA
Calie Bridges, 25, injured her ankle while hiking the Hammond Trail on Mt. Chocorua with three friends on September 27, 2024. She continued hiking but slowed significantly, and the group called for help when their phone batteries and lights began failing. Conservation Officers splinted her ankle, provided lights, and she was able to hike out, reaching the trailhead shortly after 3:30 a.m.
28-year-old female hiker from Flatwoods, KY
On August 24, 2024, Katie Harris, 28, became disoriented on Mt. Chocorua and contacted NH Fish and Game for assistance. She was monitored by phone and directed to stay on the Brook Trail, arriving at the trailhead shortly before 9:00 p.m. She was then driven back to the Champney Falls trailhead where her vehicle was parked.
57-year-old female from Falmouth, ME
Susan Clement, age 57, fell and injured her wrist approximately 0.2 miles from the summit of Mt Chocorua on the Champney Falls Trail. Her husband called 911 and nearby hikers splinted her wrist. Two hikers, a Conservation Officer, and a US Forest Service member assisted her back to the trailhead, arriving at 3:45 p.m.
54-year-old male from Hampton, NH, hiking with his dog
Robert Haile, 54, fell on the Piper Trail on Mt. Chocorua injuring his knee and was unable to bear weight. A passing hiker called 911, and NHFG Conservation Officers and LRSAR members carried him approximately 3.4 miles to the trailhead in a rescue litter. He arrived at the trailhead at approximately 10:50 p.m. and was transported by his daughter to Portsmouth Hospital.
18-year-old female from Pembroke, MA
On May 29, 2023, Alyssa Chahed, 18, severely injured her ankle while descending the Weetamoo Trail on Mt. Chocorua approximately 2.0 miles from the trailhead. She was unable to bear weight and her companions called 911. Rescuers from multiple fire departments and Lakes Region Search and Rescue carried her out in a litter, reaching the trailhead shortly before midnight.
Pauline Sanchez, 36, of San Jose, CA, and Sheena Santos, 34, of Radford, VA
Two hikers became lost after getting off trail while descending the Bee Line Trail on Mt. Chocorua on April 14, 2023. One hiker lost a shoe in deep snow and was unable to recover it. Rescuers located them, provided warm clothes, headlamps, and shoes, and hiked out with them, arriving at the trailhead shortly before 2:00 a.m.
Steven Mathieu, 36, of Somerville, MA
Shortly before 5:30 p.m. Saturday October 22, 2022, Mathieu severely injured his ankle 2.5 miles from the trailhead while hiking with six friends. With no cell service, two members hiked out to call for help. Mountain Rescue Service and Lakes Region SAR carried him out in a litter, reaching the trailhead around 11 p.m.; he was taken to Memorial Hospital in North Conway.
Patrick Cronin, 25, of Stratham, NH
Just after 5 p.m. Saturday July 24, 2021, Cronin, about one mile below the summit of Mt. Chocorua, began swelling and having trouble breathing from an allergic reaction. He was brought down on a utility vehicle, reaching the trailhead around 6:45 p.m.
39-year-old male hiker from Danvers, MA
On October 12, 2012, Mathew Morrill, age 39, became lost on Mt. Chocorua after descending the wrong side of the mountain and was overcome by darkness. He had no overnight gear or lights. Rescuers found him on the Beeline Trail and brought him to the trailhead at approximately 1:10 a.m.
12-year-old boy hiking with his mother and younger brother
On October 7, 2012, a 12-year-old boy descending the Piper Trail on Mount Chocorua in Albany, NH went ahead of his mother and younger brother and took a wrong turn onto the Champney Falls Trail, becoming separated for several hours. After a 911 call, NH Fish and Game, Carroll County Sheriff's deputies, and Conway and Tamworth firefighters searched the trails. The boy, who had joined another descending group, was located at 6:34 p.m. and reunited with his family.
Emily Crane, age 45, of Millbury, Massachusetts
Emily Crane, 45, fell and sustained a lower leg injury shortly after crossing the summit of Mt. Chocorua while on a loop hike with her husband via the Champney Falls Trail. Her husband called 911 at 3:45 p.m. and rescuers carried her approximately 3.5 miles over rugged terrain in darkness using ropes on steep rock slabs. She was transported to Lakes Region General Hospital after reaching the trailhead just after midnight.
Joshua Hayes, age 26, and Emily Smith, age 27, both of Shapleigh, Maine
Two hikers from Maine summited Mount Chocorua via the Piper Trail and on descent missed a turn, inadvertently following the Brook Trail away from their vehicle. Caught by darkness with no headlamps and no map, they called 911 at 4:50 p.m. and were located and escorted to the Liberty Trailhead by Fish and Game officers around 7:10 p.m.
Four males, all age 23, from Weymouth and Dorchester, Massachusetts
Four 23-year-old Massachusetts hikers departed the Champney Falls/Bolles Brook Trailhead at 6 p.m. on July 13, 2009, reached the summit of Mount Chocorua at 7:30 p.m., then continued on the Bolles Trail mistakenly believing it would loop back to the trailhead. They were caught out after dark without a map or flashlights but eventually made their way back to the trailhead around 12:30 a.m., not realizing searchers had been dispatched.
12-year-old boy from Florida
A 12-year-old boy from Florida, hiking with his family of four, reached the Mount Chocorua summit and headed back down the Piper Trail. He got ahead of his parents and took a wrong turn at a trail junction onto the Champney Falls Trail; his parents called 911. U.S. Forest Service personnel located the boy on the Champney Falls Trail and brought him down, reuniting him with his family at the Piper Trailhead by 5 p.m.