Snow's Mountain Lower Loop

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

A mid-length loop with several waterfalls to scramble around and explore, leading to some heavily wooded but relatively flat areas that make great birding areas. You can extend the trail by adding on the Norway Rapids or Greeley Ledge trails, as well.

The first section is a steep and root-filled climb from the parking lot to about the intersection with the Elephant Rock trail. There are few, if any, consistent blazes, but Cascade Path is marked with bright yellow signs. Once you get to the waterfall at the end of Cascade Path, keep on the right side of the river and continue climbing up to the intersection with the Upper Snows Mountain ski trail.

This area is well marked, and unlike many ski trails, it is heavily wooded, so the path is wide without being super exposed. At the intersection with the Greeley Ledge trail, continue down along the "Beanbender" ski trail. This trail is marked as a black on Waterville Valley's maps and does have a significant grade, but it's wide and there are few rocks and other obstacles to trip you up.

You could choose to go back down via Cascade Path and the Elephant Rock trail, but Beanbender provides excellent views of Mount Osceola and Mount Tecumseh.

This area is part of the Waterville Valley ski area.