Sandwich Mountain can be accessed from multiple trailheads. This posting describes the access from the west.
The Sandwich Mountain Trail (3.9 miles) departs the Sandwich Mountain/Drakes Brook parking lot on the right and crosses Drakes Brook. The brook crossing can be skirted by walking to NH-49 and turning left across the bridge onto a 0.1 frontage path back to the trail. The Sandwich Mountain trail heads uphill and enters the Sandwich Range Wilderness. After a short scramble, the trail reaches Noon Peak with a view of Mt. Washington on a clear day. After another mile, the Drakes Brook Trail enters on the left and soon a 0.2 spur departs right to Jennings Peak with extensive views of Welch-Dickey, Acteon Ridge, and Sandwich Mountain. Return to the Sandwich Mountain Trail and follow it for another 1.1 miles to the summit (3980') with limited views toward Waterville Valley.
The Drakes Brook Trail (2.8 miles) departs the Sandwich Mountain/Drakes Brook parking lot on the left around a gate on a wide XC trail and 0.4 miles from the parking lot, it turns right to cross Drakes Brook (difficult at high water) and then enters the Sandwich Range Wilderness. It follows the brook with many inviting cascades and then heads up steeply, but with sure footing, up to the Sandwich Mountain Trail. Turn left on the Sandwich Mountain Trail to reach the summit in 1.2 miles.
From the south, the Smarts Brook Trail (5.1 miles) follows an old logging road for 1.5 miles and passes the Tri-Town Trail, Yellow Jacket Trail, and beaver ponds before turning into a single track. The trail proceeds relentlessly uphill for 3.6 miles through an interesting boulder field to the Sandwich Mountain Trail. Turn right on the Sandwich Mountain Trail to reach the summit. (See the Smarts Brook page for a description of the Smarts Brook Network).
Please note that the Sandwich Mountain summit can also be reached by the Algonquin and Bennett Street Trails, which are not included in the trail map. There will be a specific posting for these trails in the future.
Please note that this trail enters the Sandwich Mountain Wilderness Area. Wilderness areas are managed for wilderness values and the trail experience will differ from other parts of the White Mountain National Forest. Users are expected to know and follow all regulations for the areas they are visiting. For more information, please visit the White Mountain National Forest wilderness page.
Before you hike, know the hiker responsibility code and be prepared:
Visit the hikeSafe website to learn more!
For more information, visit the White Mountain National Forest hiking page, or the Waterville Valley Athletic & Improvement Association website, or contact:
Waterville Valley Athletic & Improvement AssociationSandwich Mountain is accessible from two trailheads on NH-49.
The Sandwich Mountain/Drakes Brook Parking lot is on the east side of the road 10.0 miles north of Exit 28 on I-93 and one mile south of Waterville Valley on NH-49. If you reach Tripoli Road going north, you've gone one mile too far.
Smarts Brook parking is located on NH-49, 5.0 miles from I-93 Exit 28 on the right (past Sandwich Notch Road). Smarts Brook Trail leaves the south end of the lot.
Please note that there is trail access to Sandwich Mountain from Sandwich Notch Road and Whiteface Intervale Road, but these trails are not described in this posting.
Success! A new password has been emailed to you.
