HIKING MOUNT TECUMSEH
MOUNT TECUMSEH; MT Tecumseh Trail via Waterville Valley Trailhead; 3 hours total; 5.2 mile out and back; rated HARD on All Trails app.
Have I told you how much I love hiking in New Hampshire?!?! It’s about 2 ½ to 4 hours from where I live and has a wide range of hiking opportunities. Whether easy or very hard, there’s usually a pretty amazing view and worth the effort to get there. This summer I decided to complete my first ever solo hike which to some people might not be a big deal, but I am the biggest baby when it comes to heights and sheer drops which are plentiful in New Hampshire. I have been known to freeze and cry when my fears get a hold of me and without the kindness of my hubby and strangers, I wouldn’t have gotten past a few tricky situations. Nevertheless, I didn’t want my extreme fear of heights to get in the way of my love for the mountains. One of my goals is to face this fear, sit in the discomfort and overcome it, hoping to someday get to the point where the over-reaction to heights is a distant memory.
Anyways, let me tell you about my last hike...and did I mention that it was solo?? This summer I wanted to hike a 4000 footer by myself, but I didn’t want to take on too much and get stuck in a crazy height situation without a buddy. An awesome hiker, now friend, recommended that I give Mount Tecumseh a go as my first solo 4,000 footer (and yes, I know it isn’t quite 4,000 feet). On the All Trails app the Mount Tecumseh Trail via Waterville Trailhead is rated as HARD but quick. Many of the comments on the app referred to the “staircase” as a killer but overall the hike was fun. I’m in decent shape but not in Reach the Beach shape, if you know what I mean. I have been walking 5-7 miles 5 days a week and throwing in yoga or barre here and there. I do have to tell you that I’m a former runner with years of experience ignoring pain, so there’s that. But otherwise, I’m a normal 40 something-somewhat in shape lady. I say this to give you a reference as I describe my hike on Mount Tecumseh.
Although this hike is tough, it is also stunning with the river crossings, greenery and rock staircases. If you decide to hike Mount Tecumseh, take your time and enjoy the woods. Stop and take in the view often and breathe in the amazing smell of dirt, moss, mud and trees. It’s both relaxing and refreshing; even if you are sweating profusely and huffing & puffing.
I decided to venture up to Waterville Valley area on Friday, September 3rd, hoping that the traffic would be light since it was Labor Day weekend. From south of Boston, it took me about 3 hours with one bathroom stop to reach the Waterville Valley Trailhead. Because the trailhead is toward the end of the Waterville Valley ski resort parking lot, there’s no need to worry about finding a parking space. Because it was Labor Day weekend, it was a quiet ride and when I arrived at 8:30AM there were only a few cars in the parking lot.
Along with being my first solo 4,000 footer, it was also my first time using hiking poles. I was so glad to have them when I started to climb the “staircase.” It really helped to distribute the work between my entire body, instead of just my legs. Compared to other hikes, my legs had a lot more energy throughout the ascent and they saved my knees on the way down. The hiking poles were well worth the $24 I spent and I can see why many seasoned hikers use them. If you are going to be hiking a bunch, they are worth the small investment.
The first mile of the hike is pretty easy, but watch out for rocks and roots which easily catch a toe and are quite slippery due to moisture and the lack of sun. It is heavily wooded and well taken care of thanks to the AMC staff and volunteers. Although my hike was bug free, others have commented how buggy it can get in spring/summer…so bring some insect repellant just in case. After the first mile, you will start to climb and will continue to climb the rest of the way, one rock stair at a time. There is a section that is along the ski slope that really got my heart pumping and my respiration rate up pretty quickly. The rocks were larger and more of a scramble than a step. At this point I sectioned the hike into short bursts of focused hiking and then quick rests to get my heart rate down a bit before moving on. As I moved, I would look ahead ten to fifteen feet and spot a good place to rest and then hike until I reached that spot. I continued working in this fashion until I reach the boreal forest section that was pretty flat for a bit. This strategy worked really well and helped me to enjoy the hike. Usually I push myself and feel miserable the entire time, but this time I focused on what my body could handle and took rests as needed.
Once you ascend the entire staircase which seems longer than it really is, you will hit my favorite section of any 4,000 + footer, the boreal forest which hosts many different types of conifers and smells like Christmas trees. This is a great sign that you are getting closer to the top, as the trees get shorter and the sky gets closer. At this point Mount Tecumseh makes you feel like you are in the land of the fairies with all the greenery, flat pathways and sweet smells. Although Tecumseh doesn’t have the best views from the top, this part of the hike makes it all worth it in my opinion.
If you check out the picture above, you will notice how flat this section is, and what a welcome surprise after having mastered the stair master. This part of the hike has a magical feeling and if you go early enough, you can enjoy it all by yourself. Taking in deep breaths as the aroma of pine, spruce, and other conifers gives you a sense of peace and relaxation. Well deserved after stressing out your mind and body for the last 1-2 hours.
After the boreal forest, you will come across a blue blazed trail to the left and up and the yellow blazes straight ahead. I took the blue blazed trail and started a quick ascent to the peak. The top of Mount Tecumseh isn’t extraordinary, but on a clear day, it’s beautiful. I didn’t stay too long at the top, because there were quite a few hikers already hanging out on the three large boulders that mark the summit. I’m not one for large crowds whether grocery shopping or hiking, so I took a few photos, enjoyed the moment and then headed back the way I came.
When I was younger I used to sprint to the top without stopping for any views and only stayed on the summit for a few minutes, (but in recent years I have gotten a lot better). It used to be like a competition to see how fast I could make it to the top and my hiking partner (usually my husband) would usually suffer. A few years back, my hubby and I hiked Mount Katahdin and the round trip took us 6 hours and 15 minutes. I’m surprised Erik will still hike with me after that and did I mention it was for our anniversary? Yikes! He’s a good man!
The way down was quite enjoyable and fast-I ran in a few spots and felt happy that my legs still had energy to do that. Usually I’m praying that they don’t give out until I’m done. I saw many people going up, as I descended the staircase. Although I don’t love crowds, I do love bumping into people along the way and encouraging them. The coach in me can’t help offering an encouraging word or giving advice when I’m asked. As far as being my first solo 4,000 footer, I think it was a great choice. It was quick, challenging, easy to navigate and fun! If you’re ready to start the 48 4,000 footers, this mountain may be a good one for you.
My advice, set realistic expectations, give yourself plenty of time to rest as you hike, and use hiking poles to help reduce fatigue and save your knees. If you want the mountain to yourself start on the earlier side and if you can hike on a weekday, even better. Check out the forecast before you go. I like to use this website for accurate weather by mountain. Make sure you pack the ten essentials and let someone know your hiking route, when you leave the house, start the trail, end the trail and leave the parking lot. You can never be too careful. I had great cell reception the entire way and was even able to take a call from my son who did not see my note about hiking that morning. Here’s a helpful blog from the AMC which goes over what you should have every time you go out into the woods. If you get to hike Mount Tecumseh, please share your thoughts!
Cheers! Laura
