Near Snow's Mountain Lower Loop
Chairlift and lookout over Waterville Valley.
Near Snow's Mountain Lower Loop
Waterfall on Cascade Path.
Near Snow's Mountain Lower Loop
This is the first of a number of cascades.
Near Snow's Mountain Lower Loop
This little falls lets out into a pretty deep pool.
Near Snow's Mountain Lower Loop
Lower waterfall on Cascade Path

Looking for more photos?

View All Photos
Driving Directions
Hike Route

Snow's Mountain Lower Loop

4.0 (1 Rating)
A less crowded summer and fall option with birdwatching and amazing waterfalls
3
mi
Distance
689
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
BirdingFall ColorsViewsWaterfallWildflowersWildlife
Access Issues
Upper Snows Mountain and Beanbender Trail are ski trails, and are used by skiers during the winter.

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
3.03mi
Distance
689ft
Elevation Gain
689ft
Elevation Loss
20%
Max Grade
2,088ft
High Point
1,547ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
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.
History & Background
This area is part of the Waterville Valley ski area.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

Nearby Hike Routes

Sandwich Dome via Sandwich Mountain Trail + Drakes Brook Trail

Hike Route

Sandwich Dome via Sandwich Mountain Trail + Drakes Brook Trail

Less Crowded
strenuous
7.96 mi
+2,869 ft
Mount Osceola + East Osceola

Hike Route

Mount Osceola + East Osceola

Views
moderate
3.75 mi
+2,390 ft
Mount Osceola Out and Back

Hike Route

Mount Osceola Out and Back

Views
strenuous
5.62 mi
+2,070 ft
Mount Tecumseh

Hike Route

Mount Tecumseh

Less Crowded
moderate
2.69 mi
+2,309 ft
Welch-Dickey Mountain Loop

Hike Route

Welch-Dickey Mountain Loop

Fall Colors
strenuous
4.02 mi
+1,813 ft
North and Middle Tripyramid

Hike Route

North and Middle Tripyramid

Views
strenuous
10.17 mi
+3,129 ft
Contributors
Evan Moulson