Mount Potash Trail

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Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildlife

Potash Mountain Trail is accessible via the Downes Brook Trail parking lot off of Route 112 aka 'The Kanc' approximately 20 minutes from the Conway side. The actual Potash Mountain Trail doesn't start at the parking lot, instead, you hike approximately 150 feet up the trailhead past the UNH Trail where you swing a right.

You follow Downes Brook Trail 0.4 miles until you reach another right turn which is the beginning of the Potash Mountain Trail. Shortly after beginning Potash Mountain Trail it will be necessary to cross Downes Brook. This water crossing can be avoided if parking at the end of Logging Road 511 is available, however, there are only one or two parking spots.

Doing so means substantially more incline to deal with right off the bat if this route is chosen. Downes Brook itself is not very wide, 35 feet at most, and for most of the year the brook is relatively mellow. However, if attempting this crossing during the winter be aware that this may not be possible. Due to the uneven brook bed a false ice cap forms over concealed pools, leading to unclear safe crossing routes.

Also, do not attempt to cross the brook if it is raining heavily or has been anytime recently, as this brook quickly will turn into a river due to flash flooding. Once across the brook, the trail begins its ascent.

Initially, the trail is tame and continues in one direction. It then begins to steepen to and a set of switchbacks is encountered. The trail itself is rocky with many roots intersecting across the trail all the way to the top. Once out the switchbacks, a false summit is encountered at the halfway point of the trail that offers an awesome view of Passaconway and Chocorua which is off in the distance.

From here the trail continues up along the side of the mountain. This section begins to steepen even more so than previously encountered. Eventually an area of granite slab will be encountered that can make for great scambling. This scramble is the last stretch of trail to the summit.

Once on top of Potash the views into the Sandwich wilderness are spectacular. Mount Washington and the Presidentials are also seen from the peak.