3,710 ft | Nash Stream | 0 routes
As of October 17, 2026
Trail conditions on Sugarloaf Mountain (Stratford) are currently rated Difficult. At 3:20 AM ET it was 27°F at the summit (3,710 ft), feeling like 15°F, with WNW winds at 17 mph. See the hour-by-hour Sugarloaf Mountain (Stratford) weather forecast for summit temps, wind chill, and the best hiking window.
No routes available for this peak.
Sugarloaf Mountain Trail (2.0 mi)
Feels like 15°F
Recent Precipitation
Rain: 0.03" (24h) · 0.69" (48h)
Snow: 0.1" (24h) · 0.1" (48h)
Conditions summary as of October 17, 2026
Late-October conditions on Sugarloaf are wintry, with freezing temperatures from trailhead to summit, wind chills near 0°F up high, and fog limiting visibility. Light snow on top of recent moisture likely means icy, slick rock and roots, and daylight is under 11 hours, leaving little margin for error. Sunday offers calmer, drier conditions than Saturday's snow chances, and Monday is better still.
Expect roughly 27-36°F at the trailhead dropping to 19-29°F at the summit, with winds increasing from about 24 mph to 37 mph higher up. The freezing level spans roughly 1,050-3,018 ft, so most of the climb is at or below freezing; start in warm layers, carry a windproof shell, and add insulation and a hat/gloves before the upper ridge where wind chill falls near 0°F.
Best Hiking Window
Sunday late morning through mid-afternoon, after temperatures warm slightly and with only 1% precip expected; start early enough to finish well before the 5:59 PM sunset.
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: Elwell Trail, Goose Pond-Elwell Link, Goose Pond Trail, Goose Pond Loop Link, Around the Pond Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail
“Terrific quick after-lunch hike. Saw many more people than usual here, but, this is one of the last hurrah weekends of the summer season in the Lakes Region. Beautiful trails as usual and enjoyed the fact that nothing was slippery!!!”
Trail: Elwell Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail
“Terrific afternoon for us jetlagged old folks!!! Just what was needed. Love this section of the Elwell Trail - very dry and get some cardio!!! Around 18 minutes each way with this approach.”
Trail: Sugarloaf Mountain Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“Was a great day for hiking and had some company at the summit. Great views and a cool pot bellied stove at the summit. This hike is definitely one of the more remote hikes I've done.”
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Trail reports across the Whites this week · Trailhead parking
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19°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 19°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.
-1°F
Wind chill
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 3,710 feet in the Nash Stream Forest of northern New Hampshire's Nash Stream range, this Coos County summit offers a rewarding moderate outing in a remote and relatively uncrowded corner of the state. The mountain earns its place on the 52 With A View (52 WAV) list through open ledges near the summit that reward hikers with expansive views across the surrounding boreal forest and toward the Percy Peaks and other regional highlands. The trail winds through classic northern hardwood and spruce-fir forest before reaching the rocky upper terrain. The Nash Stream area's wild character gives this hike a backcountry feel, with limited foot traffic compared to more heavily visited White Mountain destinations. The combination of meaningful elevation gain, scenic ledge viewpoints, and the serene atmosphere of state forest land makes this a worthwhile objective for peak baggers and nature-focused hikers alike.
Elevation
3,710 ft
Range
Nash Stream
Difficulty
Moderate
Coordinates
44.7443, -71.4678
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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
71-year-old male from West Warwick, RI
On September 17, 2025, Stephen McGovern, 71, of West Warwick, RI, slipped and sustained a head injury while hiking the Sugarloaf Trail in Bethlehem with friends. Two Pemi Valley Search and Rescue volunteers who happened to be on the same trail located and treated McGovern and assisted him down the trail. He was subsequently transported by his hiking partners to Memorial Hospital in North Conway for further treatment.