Skip to main content
Detour Travel Gay Travel Tours
All events Share Easy to Moderate

Waterville Cascades and Snows Mountain Hike

Join us on this hike featuring a series of waterfalls and views from atop one of New Hampshire's lost ski areas!

Waterville Cascades and Snows Mountain Hike

Join us on this hike featuring a series of waterfalls and views from atop one of New Hampshire's lost ski areas!

Details

Join us on this hike to these picturesque cascades in the quaint town of Waterville Valley that make for one of the most enjoyable and rewarding waterfall hikes in New Hampshire! After an easy walk in the woods, a loop encircles the cascades, passing numerous drops, fans, rapids, and pools in Cascade Brook. After the cascades, we’ll hike Snows Mountain ski area for views of the mountains surrounding Waterville Valley.

The distance is approximately four miles with around 700 feet of elevation gain. This hike is beginner-friendly and appropriate for those who enjoy a leisurely pace (slow to moderate), good company, beautiful waterfalls, and mountain views.

We'll begin by hiking to the Waterville Cascades and then follow the trail up the mountain past several smaller waterfalls. Next, we'll make our way to the top of the former Snow's Mountain ski area using a mountain biking trail which features views of Osceola and Tecumseh. We’ll take a different return route going down the other side of the cascades and follow mountain biking trails. This hike is beginner-friendly and appropriate for those who enjoy a leisurely pace (slow to moderate), good company, beautiful waterfalls, and mountain views.

Don't forget to bring wind/rain shell, water, lunch, snacks, bug repellent, sunscreen, etc. along with whatever you typically have for a hiking excursion. We’ll have lunch on top of the summit. 

Social Mixer: Following the hike, everyone is welcome back at our house in Waterville Valley to hang out for a couple hours alongside the Mad River for swimming/sunbathing, socialize around the deck and enjoy a BBQ! It's BYOB and it costs $10 per person. Bring your swim trunks/towel. We have to cross the shallow Mad River to reach our sandy beach so bring sandals or old sneakers; FLIP FLOPS WILL NOT WORK TO CROSS THE RIVER! 

Lodging Option: Bunk beds are available at our house near Waterville Valley, NH for Friday and Saturday night. Its $25 dollars Friday night and $35 Saturday that includes BBQ. Coffee/bagels each morning and linen/blankets/towels are provided. We have 4 bunks available so the first 4 guys that contact us to reserve will get one; and let us know which night[s] you’ll be lodging with us. You’re on your own for dinner Friday night but you’re welcome to use our kitchen facilities to cook!  

Directions

Trailhead and parking area are at the Snow’s Mountain Ski area. Off of I-93, take exit 28 and follow Rt. 49 to Waterville Valley. Continue driving into town passing the Waterville Valley Downhill Ski area road [on your left] and the Athletic Center [on your right]. Take the next right Boulder Path Road, drive 0.5 miles, and look for a large dirt parking area on the right at Snow’s Mountain Ski area. We’ll be driving a blue Toyota Tacoma Truck.

Saturday, September 3, 2022
Waterville Valley, NH · Directions
Meet at 10:30 AM
Hosted by Gandalf
10/12 signed up
Waterville Cascades and Snows Mountain Hike

About this event

Join us on this hike to these picturesque cascades in the quaint town of Waterville Valley that make for one of the most enjoyable and rewarding waterfall hikes in New Hampshire! After an easy walk in the woods, a loop encircles the cascades, passing numerous drops, fans, rapids, and pools in Cascade Brook. After the cascades, we’ll hike Snows Mountain ski area for views of the mountains surrounding Waterville Valley.

The distance is approximately four miles with around 700 feet of elevation gain. This hike is beginner-friendly and appropriate for those who enjoy a leisurely pace (slow to moderate), good company, beautiful waterfalls, and mountain views.

We'll begin by hiking to the Waterville Cascades and then follow the trail up the mountain past several smaller waterfalls. Next, we'll make our way to the top of the former Snow's Mountain ski area using a mountain biking trail which features views of Osceola and Tecumseh. We’ll take a different return route going down the other side of the cascades and follow mountain biking trails. This hike is beginner-friendly and appropriate for those who enjoy a leisurely pace (slow to moderate), good company, beautiful waterfalls, and mountain views.

Don't forget to bring wind/rain shell, water, lunch, snacks, bug repellent, sunscreen, etc. along with whatever you typically have for a hiking excursion. We’ll have lunch on top of the summit. 

Social Mixer: Following the hike, everyone is welcome back at our house in Waterville Valley to hang out for a couple hours alongside the Mad River for swimming/sunbathing, socialize around the deck and enjoy a BBQ! It's BYOB and it costs $10 per person. Bring your swim trunks/towel. We have to cross the shallow Mad River to reach our sandy beach so bring sandals or old sneakers; FLIP FLOPS WILL NOT WORK TO CROSS THE RIVER! 

Lodging Option: Bunk beds are available at our house near Waterville Valley, NH for Friday and Saturday night. Its $25 dollars Friday night and $35 Saturday that includes BBQ. Coffee/bagels each morning and linen/blankets/towels are provided. We have 4 bunks available so the first 4 guys that contact us to reserve will get one; and let us know which night[s] you’ll be lodging with us. You’re on your own for dinner Friday night but you’re welcome to use our kitchen facilities to cook!  

Directions to the trailhead

Get directions
Opens turn-by-turn directions to Waterville Valley, NH, 03285 in Google Maps (new tab).

Trailhead and parking area are at the Snow’s Mountain Ski area. Off of I-93, take exit 28 and follow Rt. 49 to Waterville Valley. Continue driving into town passing the Waterville Valley Downhill Ski area road [on your left] and the Athletic Center [on your right]. Take the next right Boulder Path Road, drive 0.5 miles, and look for a large dirt parking area on the right at Snow’s Mountain Ski area. We’ll be driving a blue Toyota Tacoma Truck.

Who's going (10)

Gandalf SUSTAINING
Gandalf
Thornton, NH
Attended
GpD GUEST MEMBER
GpD
Manchester, NH
Attended
tdefauw GUEST MEMBER
tdefauw
Plymouth, NH
Attended
jkelaghan SUSTAINING
jkelaghan
Plymouth, NH
Attended
Eli02116 SUSTAINING
Eli02116
Boston, MA
Attended
North  Shorer GUEST MEMBER
North Shorer
SOUTH HAMILTON, MA
Attended
baezfred GUEST MEMBER
baezfred
Lancaster, NH
Attended
MO GUEST MEMBER
MO
Lancaster, NH
Attended
jcmulloy GUEST MEMBER
jcmulloy
Cambridge, MA
Attended
J GUEST MEMBER
jconroy
Beverly, MA
Attended

Waiting list (2)

jfriedman GUEST MEMBER
jfriedman
Warren, VT
Attended
lbotta SUSTAINING
lbotta
New London, NH

Questions about this event?

Reach out to the host, Gandalf, for route details, carpooling, or what to bring.

Email the host

You can also ask in the event discussion below.

Event discussion

A member · Jul 18, 2022
Approximately what time is the hike expected to be completed? by 1:30?
Gandalf · Jul 18, 2022
Ending at 1:30PM may be cutting it close since we'll be stopping frequently to enjoy all of the cascades. I'd feel more comfortable saying we'll finish at 2:30PM...could be sooner based on the pace and interests of the group.

Log in to join the conversation.

Stay Connected with GayOutdoors

Receive outdoorsy tips, community updates, volunteer opportunities, event announcements, and trip reports.

We respect your privacy — unsubscribe anytime.