Mount Cube: 1/18/2015*

Mileage: 4.15 miles

Elevation gain: 1600 feet

Trails used: Cross Rivendell Trail.
Highlight(s): 

Kris and I had been planning this for awhile but due to the winter weather and its ever changing habits, we decided to do something quick and easy for Sunday.  A storm system was supposed to move in midday with freezing rain and snow, so Mount Cube fit the bill nicely.  Recently, Joe, Bob, Desi and Becky went up the Cross Rivendell Trail and I heard nothing but good things about it from Desi so instead of doing the boring Appalachian Trail section, we decided to give the trail a try.

Mount Cube is located in Orford, New Hampshire.  The Appalachian Trail runs over its summit as it continues north.  The summit of Mount Cube is the eastern summit of the Cross Rivendell Trail, a 36 mile trail that starts (or ends depending on how you do the trail) at Flagpole Hill in Vershire, Vermont.  You can get different views from the north and south summits of Mount Cube, so if you have the time and energy try to hit both.

Mount Cube is on the New Hampshire 200 Highest List.

We would take the Cross Rivendell Trail up to the summit of Mount Cube.  The trailhead is located off of Baker Road on the left.  Winter parking on the right and a short walk to the actual kiosk and start of the trail.

A very organized kiosk that is complete with maps.  We wouldn't be needing the tick information today though.

The Cross Rivendell Trail really feels like it gets too steep, which it doesn't sans the last few feet you climb up the ledges to the summit.

The trail climbs at moderate grades and has quite a few switchbacks.  The snow was hard packed today so we wore Microspikes the whole hike.

Eventually, you enter into this nice spruce grove and more switchbacks.

An open area view along the Cross Rivendell Trail looking over to Sunday Mountain.

Interesting rock formations towards the summit area.

The quartzite ledge climb just below the summit of Mount Cube.

The predicted storm system moving into the area around Smarts Mountain.

The Dartmouth Outing Club (DOC) sign on the summit of Mount Cube (elevation 2909').

Number 90 of the 201 for Kris as he looks west into Vermont from the ledges just below the summit of Mount Cube.

We skipped the north summit and headed back down to hopefully beat the weather before we got home.  Alas we managed to make it to exit 24 before the roads turned to ice and we crawled to exit 17 where my car was parked.

The Cross Rivendell Trail is a nice trail.  If you want a short route to a nice mountain with good views (on a nicer day), this is the hike for you.  It never felt too strenous and was easy to follow.  A nice day despite the weather.