2,909 ft | Cube | 0 routes
As of October 16, 2026
Trail conditions on Mount Cube are currently rated Difficult. At 8:40 PM ET it was 51°F at the summit (2,909 ft), feeling like 43°F, with WSW winds at 17 mph. See the hour-by-hour Mount Cube weather forecast for summit temps, wind chill, and the best hiking window.
No routes available for this peak.
North Cube Spur (0.3 mi) · Kodak Trail (2.7 mi) · Mount Cube Trail (3.0 mi) · Cross Rivendell Trail (7.2 mi)
Feels like 43°F
Conditions summary as of October 17, 2026
Strong winds with summit gusts to 44 mph and a wind chill near 22°F are expected, with heavy rain moving through, followed by a sharp drop into the 20s and snow on Saturday. Saturday's flash freeze will glaze wet leaves, rock, and mud with ice, creating slick, hard-to-judge footing. Sunday looks like the safer window if you start early, though lingering ice and frozen ground are likely.
Expect roughly a 3-5°F drop from trailhead to summit, with winds noticeably stronger and wind chill near 22°F at the top. The freezing level may sit near or above the summit, but with Saturday's lows in the 20s, icing can occur at all elevations. Start in a breathable base layer, carry an insulating layer and windproof shell, and add layers before leaving tree cover near the summit where wind exposure increases.
Best Hiking Window
Sunday morning through early afternoon, starting early after temperatures moderate slightly; avoid Saturday due to snow, ice, and wind.
Last synthesized Oct 16, 8:40 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: Mt. Cube Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“A few spots where mud under the wet leaves was a bit slippery, especially on descent. Two teeny tiny spots of snow still hanging on, nothing we couldn’t step around, though. Was tempted to wear trail runners, but glad we decided to go with waterproof boots, glad we had them for the wet and muddy spots.”
Trail: Kodak Trail, Mt. Cube Trail, North Peak Side Trail
Conditions: Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Small Patches
“First seasonal hike in the trail-runners! Didn't use the microspikes or crampons. Trace ice along Kodak Trail, barely noticeable. Green colors are returning to the forest floor quickly! Easy footing overall, except for the small talus field in switchbacks above Hexacube. A few occasional slick spots throughout the hike due to AM showers. Kodak felt like the most scenic approach to Cube. A few moose droppings near Hexacube and below the summit cone. For redline purposes I descended Mt Cube Trail towards Rt25A to ~2600ft. There was a little bit more ice on the north side, but no need for traction. Very glad to tag North Peak Trail. Prime views of the Baker River Valley with Moosilauke/ Clough to the northeast.”
Trail: Cross Rivendell Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Snow - Spring Snow, Slush, Snow/Ice - Small Patches
“First mile bare boots, rest of trail spikes definitely needed, very thick and solid ice. We removed spikes the last 1/3 to 1/4 mile from the summit. Sharp spikes definitely needed but with those it was fine.”
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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.
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 to 2,909 feet in the Cube Range of western New Hampshire near the town of Orford, this moderate peak offers a rewarding backcountry experience along the Appalachian Trail corridor. The summit is wooded, but hikers are treated to partial views through the trees, with better outlooks available along the trail at open ledges. The approach follows well-maintained footpaths through classic northern hardwood and boreal forest, making for a pleasant woodland hike with manageable elevation gain. Limited above-treeline exposure keeps the route suitable for a wide range of hikers. As part of the 52 With a View (52 WAV) peak list, it draws peakbaggers seeking to complete this popular New Hampshire challenge. The relatively remote setting in the Upper Connecticut River Valley region lends the mountain a quiet, off-the-beaten-path character distinct from the busier White Mountain peaks.
Elevation
2,909 ft
Range
Cube
Difficulty
Moderate
Coordinates
43.8857, -72.0235
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AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.
17.2 mi away
5 incidents on file · drawn from NH Fish and Game releases and regional reporting
56-year-old female from Merrimack, NH
On April 11, 2024, a 56-year-old female hiker fell on slippery wet rock near the summit of Mount Cube and sustained an upper leg injury that prevented her from continuing. She was located approximately 2.2 miles from the trailhead on the Cross Rivendell Trail and packaged into a rescue litter. Multiple fire and rescue teams carried her out over snow and ice-covered terrain, reaching the trailhead at 7:45 p.m.; she was transported to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.
52-year-old female from North Haverhill, NH
On October 20, 2023, Shelly Vizena, 52, slipped on wet rocks on the Cross Rivendell Trail on Mount Cube, injuring her leg. Conservation Officers and multiple rescue teams responded and carried her approximately one mile to the trailhead, arriving at 5:20 p.m. Injuries were non-life-threatening.
51-year-old female hiker
On September 17, 2023, Jocelyn Bishop, 51, of Westford, MA, tripped and fell forward on the North Spur Trail on Mt. Cube, sustaining a head injury. Her hiking partner called 911, and a good Samaritan provided first aid until rescuers arrived. Bishop was assisted down the trail to a UTV and transported to Dartmouth Health for further evaluation.
48-year-old woman from Horseshoe, NC
A 48-year-old woman fell on wet, slippery rocks near the summit of Mt. Cube on the Appalachian Trail in Orford on June 15, 2023. Her daughter called 911, and rescue personnel drove to within 1.5 miles of the hiker via a landowner's access. The injured hiker was able to walk out under her own power and was transported to Dartmouth Health for evaluation.
47-year-old female hiker from Hanover, NH
On July 5, 2012, Christina Brownell, 47, slipped and fell on a rock approximately half a mile from the summit of Mt. Cube while hiking the Appalachian Trail with her family, sustaining injuries that left her unable to walk. Her husband called 911 via cell phone. Conservation Officers, Upper Valley Search and Rescue volunteers, and Orford Police and Fire members carried her two miles down steep, rocky trail to a waiting ambulance.