N. Tripyramid Elevation: 4,180 ft
Middle Tripyramid Elevation: 4,140 ft
Total Distance: 10 miles
Estimated Time: about 8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate with some strenuous sections
Views: Limited, through the trees
There are two primary routes to hike the Tripyramids. One route comes from the Waterville Valley side following the Livermore Trail to the Mt. Tripyramid Trail. This loop runs 11 miles and hits all three peaks. However, it also includes both "slides," large sections of steep sheer rock which provide nice views, but are incredibly difficult to climb. Additionally, while the South peak does reach 4,100 ft, it doesn't make the list because it lacks the required 200 ft prominence.
Instead I recommend hiking up Pine Bend Brook Trail and returning down Sabbaday Brook Trail. This route is not too difficult overall, except for the steep sections going up and down the ravine walls. You will find free road side parking at the Pine Bend Brook Trailhead on the south side of the Kancamagus Highway (Rt 112). If your group has two vehicles, you can drop one at the Sabbaday Falls Trailhead Parking Lot to save yourself the 1 mile hike back along the road. Parking in this lot requires a recreational pass, or a $5 fee for day use (this fee is waived on certain holidays), or you can also park along the road here. There are toilet facilities at this lot.
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North Tripyramid
The Pine Bend Brook Trail beings with an easy walk next to the brook following the yellow rectangle markings. There are a number of different brook crossings and parts of the trail that can be pretty soggy. Once you cross into the Sandwich Range Wilderness the trail will start to incline more steeply, including some rock staircases. At one point you will scramble through a large rock ravine, then the trail continues at the top to the left.
Once you hit the top of the ridge, the Scaur Ridge Trail will come in from the right, but continue straight on the Pine Bend Brook Trail toward the Mt Tripyramid Trail. Here the trail flattens out a bit along the ridge. Then the very last section is a large, steep "chimney pipe" climb up to the top.
In the last 10 yards or so, the Mt Tripyramid Trail will come in from the right. (Note: if you follow this trail to the right for a short distance down to the North Slide you will have your best views of the day out to the north west.) Continue straight up about 10 more yards to the summit.
There is no official marker, but a large boulder that most people stand on to mark the summit. To the right of the trail there is a flat area to take a break and a limited view out through the trees.
Middle Tripyramid
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Once you hit the top of the ridge, the Scaur Ridge Trail will come in from the right, but continue straight on the Pine Bend Brook Trail toward the Mt Tripyramid Trail. Here the trail flattens out a bit along the ridge. Then the very last section is a large, steep "chimney pipe" climb up to the top.
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In the last 10 yards or so, the Mt Tripyramid Trail will come in from the right. (Note: if you follow this trail to the right for a short distance down to the North Slide you will have your best views of the day out to the north west.) Continue straight up about 10 more yards to the summit.
There is no official marker, but a large boulder that most people stand on to mark the summit. To the right of the trail there is a flat area to take a break and a limited view out through the trees.
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| View to the north and east (click to enlarge) |
Middle Tripyramid
With that summit boulder on your left, continue down the hill on the Pine Bend Brook/Mt Tripyramid Trail. This is a fairly easy ridge trail over to the Middle summit. The Sabbaday Brook Trail will come in from the left. That's the way down, but for now continue straight on. If you feel safe about it, you can leave your pack here since you'll come back this way.
Not far ahead you come to a large open rock that has views out through the trees to the east and the west. This is the unmarked peak of the Middle summit.
To descend, return the way you came. This time at the intersection turn right onto Sabbaday Brook Trail. The first section is a steep, rocky decline down the side of the ravine. When the trail takes a sharp turn to the left and begins to traverse across the side of the ravine wall, the worst is behind you. The rest of the trail is a long, fairly gradual descent, crossing the brook many times. (Note: With all the brook crossings and the soggy trail, I probably wouldn't recommend this hike in the spring.) The "brook" becomes a full on stream and there are some nice pools along the way that would make for a good swim on a hot summer day.
There are areas where the trail is not well marked with yellow rectangles, but the well-travelled path is not too hard to follow. After a long 4.6 miles, the trail widens out which indicates you are approaching Sabbaday Falls. This is a highly trafficked site with man-made staircases, handrails and viewing platforms to take in the beautiful cascade.
The final 0.3 miles is an easy, wide gravel sidewalk down to the parking lot.
Not far ahead you come to a large open rock that has views out through the trees to the east and the west. This is the unmarked peak of the Middle summit.
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| View to the west (click to enlarge) |
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| View to the east (click to enlarge) |
To descend, return the way you came. This time at the intersection turn right onto Sabbaday Brook Trail. The first section is a steep, rocky decline down the side of the ravine. When the trail takes a sharp turn to the left and begins to traverse across the side of the ravine wall, the worst is behind you. The rest of the trail is a long, fairly gradual descent, crossing the brook many times. (Note: With all the brook crossings and the soggy trail, I probably wouldn't recommend this hike in the spring.) The "brook" becomes a full on stream and there are some nice pools along the way that would make for a good swim on a hot summer day.
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| Initial steep descent | Many brook crossings |
There are areas where the trail is not well marked with yellow rectangles, but the well-travelled path is not too hard to follow. After a long 4.6 miles, the trail widens out which indicates you are approaching Sabbaday Falls. This is a highly trafficked site with man-made staircases, handrails and viewing platforms to take in the beautiful cascade.
The final 0.3 miles is an easy, wide gravel sidewalk down to the parking lot.
Official Trail Map: (click to enlarge)
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