With the impending winter storm bringing a rumored foot of snow tomorrow, we figured one more trek on packed trails was in the cards. While I generally utilize the northeastern route to ascend Mount Cube - via the Mount Cube Trail - it had been several years since exploring the southwestern approach, plus I’ve never been in winter conditions - a good opportunity to explore the Cross Rivendell Trail.

Being one of the original paths up the mountain, this trail was cut from old logging roads back in 1914 by the Dartmouth Outing Club. The western slope of Mount Cube had been home to several DOC shelters and cabins throughout the years along its chain of frame camps dotting from Moose Mountain to Mount Cube, Armington Pond, Glencliff, and Agassiz Basin; the last of which appeared 0.2-miles off the mountains western trail in 1940 until becoming abandoned in the early 1990’s.

*Trailhead Kiosk, Cross Rivendale Trail*

Known as the “South Cube Trail” for many years, this was the Appalachian Trail link between the summit of Mt Cube and Smarts Mountain to the south. Along with many AT reroutes in the region, the 1980’s also saw several new DOC trails cut along its slopes - the Kodak Trail to the south and the Mount Cube Trail to the northeast.

The Appalachian Trail was relocated to occupy the new Kodak Trail and at which time the South Cube Trail slowly faded from use. Wanting to construct a trail network from Flagpole Hill in Vershire, VT to the Rivendell Interstate School District and Mount Cube, a trail of 36-miles in length, the Rivendell Trails Association began acquiring grants which allowed trail work to begin on the old South Cube Trail section in 2001.

*Original South Cube Trail becoming grown in*

This new section, which utilized several lengths of the old AT/South Cube Trail became known as the Cross Rivendell Trail (CRT). While the original cut was steep and became severely eroded in parts, the new trail featured many switchbacks for a milder grade and gentler climb.

Beginning on Baker Road in Orford, New Hampshire, the trailhead parking lot fits about 6 cars and is located on the western side of the road about 0.1-miles from where the CRT departs the dirt road.

There is an information kiosk along with a small donation box for helping the Rivendale Trails Association keep up their maintenance along the corridor. The trail follows the original stretch of trail briefly before beginning gentle switchbacks, all the while the overgrown path remains nearly in view and is crossed several times.

Reaching the first mile at ~2,060’, the Cross Rivendale Trail makes its first significant swing, heading south and into a dense spruce and fir grove, accented by mature white birch. All around is a carpet of moss with exposed roots and rocks, a step into a Jurassic world.

The rocks abound, laying scattered and fractured, as if dropped carelessly by the last giant who passed through. To make a beautiful trail more lovely, the rock work along the footing of the path is exquisite, drainage and water bars are top notch, truly an amazing trail to trek!

There is a lookout cut into the forest wall as hikers pass through along the tight switchbacks which lead up to a narrow band of ledgy rock with great views out to the nearby Sunday Mountain, next along the CRT to the west.

The final 0.5-mile stretch parallels the Kodak Trail, the yellow AT boundary blazing is visible on fellow trees just off to the right (south). Prior to reaching the bare summit, several bunches of quartzite ledges are ascended while zig-zagging scrubby conifers.

Reaching the USGS disc at the summit, its interesting to read “1874” on the marker - this corresponds with the site of an early US Coastal Survey triangulation station which once stood on Mount Cube’s summit.

As the cloud ceiling dropped, we watched the fire tower which stands atop Smarts Mountain become engulfed, in my minds eye I retraced steps from another day along the J-Trail which departs its summit and swings north toward the place in which I now stood. The wind picked up on the 2,909’ open summit which became my cue to layer up and move along, off to Mt Cube’s North Peak.

For me, a trek up Mount Cube is not complete without the short side trip to the northern summit. Prior to relocating the Appalachian Trail along the Mount Cube Trail during the mid-1980’s, the AT ran over the North Peak and downward toward The Mount Cube House on NH 25A.

From the open quartzite ledges of the North Peak the layers of mountains are nearly endless, the panorama is breathtaking - an afternoon spent atop this craggy outlook is hardly enough to take in all that this beautiful land has to offer.

I find myself coming back, time and time again. Mount Cube is one rocky summit that I cannot get enough of, from spruce and fir forests to lush mossy carpeted trails, the look and feel of smooth quartzite to the trickling of brooks and springs trailside - no matter the season, there is always something new to find along the slopes of this little gem.

Overall stats for the day:
4.69-miles
2hr 39 minutes
1,985’ elevation gain

Mount Cube - 2,909’
Mount Cube North Peak - 2,880’

Mt Cube via Cross Rivendell Trail

Mts Flume + Liberty via Osseo Trail

North + Middle Sugarloaf