Sandwich Mountain Trail
To Sandwich Dome · New Hampshire
Sandwich Mountain Trail is a trail in the Sandwich Range and Waterville Valley, climbing about 2,650 ft from Drakes Brook Sandwich Mountain Trailhead to Sandwich Dome.
Map length
3.5 mi
Climb from the low end
2,626 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
3 h 2 min / 1 h 46 min
High point
3,972 ft
Above treeline
None
Steepest ¼ mile
1,580 ft/mi
Stream crossings
1 (1 ford)
Low point
1,401 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer. The mapped trail stops just short of the summit of Sandwich Dome; these figures end there.
Sandwich Mountain Trail
Mile by mile (map miles)
From Drakes Brook Sandwich Mountain Trailhead (the lower end) to Sandwich Dome.
- 0.0Drakes Brook Sandwich Mountain Trailhead
- 0.1Fords Drakes Brook
- 1.6Noon Peak
- 2.4Junction with Drakes Brook Trail
- 2.5Junction with Jennings Peak Spur
- 2.9Junction with Smarts Brook Trail
- 3.4Junction with Algonquin Trail and Bennett Street Trail
- 3.5Sandwich Dome
Distances and book times (map miles)
To Noon Peak
1.61 mi (total 1.61) · ↑1,586 ↓30 ft · 1 h 36 min / 49 min
To Drakes Brook Trail junction
0.77 mi (total 2.38) · ↑330 ↓48 ft · 33 min / 25 min
To Jennings Peak Spur junction
0.11 mi (total 2.49) · ↑62 ↓0 ft · 5 min / 4 min
To Smarts Brook Trail junction
0.39 mi (total 2.88) · ↑83 ↓2 ft · 14 min / 12 min
To Sandwich Dome
0.58 mi (total 3.46) · ↑559 ↓0 ft · 34 min / 17 min
| From | To | Map miles | Total | Climb ↑ / ↓ | Time ↑ / ↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drakes Brook Sandwich Mountain Trailhead | Noon Peak | 1.61 | 1.61 | 1,586 / 30 ft | 1 h 36 min / 49 min |
| Noon Peak | Drakes Brook Trail junction | 0.77 | 2.38 | 330 / 48 ft | 33 min / 25 min |
| Drakes Brook Trail junction | Jennings Peak Spur junction | 0.11 | 2.49 | 62 / 0 ft | 5 min / 4 min |
| Jennings Peak Spur junction | Smarts Brook Trail junction | 0.39 | 2.88 | 83 / 2 ft | 14 min / 12 min |
| Smarts Brook Trail junction | Sandwich Dome | 0.58 | 3.46 | 559 / 0 ft | 34 min / 17 min |
↑ walking from Drakes Brook Sandwich Mountain Trailhead; ↓ the other way. Book time: 2 mph over the map miles plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing.
Trailheads and parking
Drakes Brook Sandwich Mountain Trailhead
Off Waterville Road
Fall weekends: Had space in both reports, as late as 10 am.
Fall weekdays: Had space in both reports.
Latest report, Mon, Sep 7: Plenty of room.
All parking reports for Drakes Brook Sandwich Mountain Trailhead
Summit conditions
Today's conditions reportConnecting trails
What to bring
From the summit forecast, Sat to MonPaid links. Backcountry.com pays me if you buy. Prices are Backcountry's, checked twice a day.
60 mph
Summit gusts
Plan a below-treeline hike
Daytime gusts near 60 mph above treeline. Pick a sheltered route or another day.
32°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 32°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
11h 13m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 6:08 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
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation: USGS 3DEP. Distances are measured from the map and can differ from signs and guidebooks. Conditions change: check before you go.