Trip Reports
5.0 (1 trip report)
Michael W.
Jan 19, 2026
Hiked on January 18, 2026
Great day, hard packed trail with some loose snow, some ice under snow. Uses Microspikes up and down
Snowy
4,003 ft | Waterville | 1 route
Feels like 71°F
Recent Precipitation
Rain: 0.06" (24h) · 0.06" (48h)
~3.8°F drop per 1,000ft
Mount Tecumseh is showing DANGEROUS conditions
See exactly why with full AI conditions — hazard alerts, gear recommendations, and the best hiking window.
See Full ConditionsBest Hiking Window
Skip Tuesday entirely. Wednesday offers the best opportunity as high pressure builds in the afternoon and overnight, bringing clearing skies and noticeably cooler, more manageable conditions. An early Wednesday morning start is advisable to avoid any lingering showers and to stay ahead of residual wind gusts that may persist into Wednesday afternoon.
Trail: Mt. Tecumseh Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“Always a gentle, easier route (I think) than the stairmaster from the ski area. Passed six or seven parties all day, which is not bad, considering the traffic arriving at the Summit from the ski area. The summit view is getting obscured by tall pines, but still a great vantage point. We did not see a cairn nor the obscured view of Moosilauke mentioned in the WMG. Minimal mud considering I think it sprinkled a bit the day before. It’s been four years since we hiked here so this may be the new standard, but I noted the Forest Service has placed PortaJohn’s at about four sites along the road or in parking, lots of campgrounds prior to the trailhead; much appreciated.”
Trail: Mt. Tecumseh Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“The rain let up and the skies cleared on my drive over from Maine. The trail was wet from the rain but was draining well. There are some areas of mud but with careful footing you can avoid most of it. The steeper rockier sections were slick but we were just fine. The footing on this trail is just great. It was a lovely way to spend the morning with a friend and have some time to catch up!”
Trail: Mt. Tecumseh Trail, Sosman Trail, ski trails
Conditions: Dry Trail
Conditions synthesized from: NWS Higher Summits Forecast, NOAA Open-Meteo, Mount Washington Observatory, NETC Trip Reports, NOHRSC Snow Depth, Mt. Washington Avalanche Center, USGS Stream Levels, OpenWeather Air Quality.
AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.
Easiest 4000-footer with ski area on slopes. Can be hiked via ski trails or Mount Tecumseh Trail.
Elevation
4,003 ft
Range
Waterville
Rank
#48 of 48
Difficulty
Easy
Coordinates
43.9667, -71.5565
Michael W.
Great day, hard packed trail with some loose snow, some ice under snow. Uses Microspikes up and down
2 incidents on file · drawn from NH Fish and Game releases and regional reporting
66-year-old male from Providence, RI
Rink Dickinson, 66, suffered a serious lower leg injury while hiking on the Mt. Tecumseh Trail on September 22, 2024. He was unable to continue descending despite assistance from his hiking partner. First responders from Waterville Valley and NH Fish and Game, aided by seven Good Samaritan hikers, carried him in a litter to a UTV and transported him to a waiting ambulance, which took him to Speare Memorial Hospital.
Ryan Lanagan, age 10; wandered off a trail at the Waterville Valley ski area
On February 20, 2000, 10-year-old Ryan Lanagan wandered off a trail at the Waterville Valley ski area onto Mount Tecumseh and spent about 15 hours out overnight. A National Guard helicopter crew spotted him the next morning; a Fish and Game conservation officer reached him on snowshoes and he walked most of the way down, needing no hospital treatment.