Saturday, April 5, 2025, 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Livermore (South) TrailHead Parking Lot-Waterville Valley,
New Hampshire, North Country,
NH
Join us for an epic nordic BC exploration on old dirt road beds from Thornton Gore up the back side of Thornton Gap and then into Waterville Valley. Over the total distance of 9 miles we will climb 1370ft and then descent 830ft to the finish. We will start at the gate on Thornton Gore Rd on untracked old dirt road FR 31B along the south bank of Eastman Brook, junction with maintained dirt road FR 31A, cross the brook on a bridge, then ascend Tripoli Rd to the height of Thornton Gap at 2300,ft then descend into Waterville Valley; finishing on groomed trails. Though technically moderate, the first section is remote, totally ungroomed and unmaintained. Participants should be comfortable is such conditions. We will explore it together! As an added bonus, if Eastman Brook is cross-able we will check out the cemetery for the abandoned town of Tripoli Mills. Participants will be expected to be fully self-supporting and carry a day-pack with lunch, extra clothing and emergency gear. The ideal equipment for this tour are metal-edged BC nordic touring skis with a tip of 60-67mm to fit into the cut tracks of the last 3 miles and BC boots/bindings. This is a one-way tour. We will meet at the Livermore South TrailHead, then cram into the smallest number of cars and drive 35 minutes to the start point and ski back. After the tour we will retrieve the dropped cars. We are hoping for good spring conditions of a deep enough snow pack and softened corn snow. Some crossing of smaller water crossings may be required. The leaders may need to shift to another similar ability tour due to conditions. Our group will be limited to 6, plus the two leaders.
Free
Ski Route
Driving Directions to Thornton Gore Rd End
Meet at the Livermore (South) TrailHead parking lot in Waterville Valley (also known as Depot Camp). We will car pool and spot min. cars at the end of Thornton Gore Rd.
