This minor peak is recognizable from just about anywhere near the Middle Connecticut River Mountain area; its classic wedge shape and south/southeast sheer cliffs make it shine and glisten all throughout the year.

The current trail (Wachipauka Pond Trail) to Webster Slide Mountain begins off Rt 25C on the western edge of Glencliff, NH, which is probably best known (in hiking) for the Glencliff Trail up Mt Moosilauke nearby to the northeast, on High Street.

Although, throughout the years there have been several other ascent routes up to Webster Slide’s summit. In the early 1930’s there was a trail which began nearly 2-miles further northwest on Rt 25C and traversed in more-or-less a straight line up and over the peak, descending the steep southeast face and arriving at the shore of Wachipauka Pond.

Another long-gone route, the old Appalachian Trail which left the south-side of Rt 25C as well, at a point about 1-mile northwest from the current trailhead and tracked in a southwesterly direction toward the northern tip of the Pond.

The path that I snowshoed today, as well as these aforementioned paths departed the Moosilauke Highway (Rt 25C) and immediately crossed the old Boston & Maine railroad. This former line was abandoned in the 1950’s and is now better known as the Warren Recreational Rail Trail, hosting snowmobiles throughout the winter season.

Departing the Olivarian Notch the trail is near-flat as it skirts along the base of Wyatt Hill crossing several small drainage ways. Today, there were a few downed birch trees and smaller striped maple to step over, likely from the multiple helpings of windstorms the area received over the past several weeks.

At 0.5-miles the path switchbacks once, swinging northerly in a clockwise direction as it ascends steadily around the summit dome of Wyatt Hill (1,841’). Many trail guide books make note that the path climbs over the highpoint of the hill while the true summit is just a short 0.25-mile bushwhack south off the blazed trail.

After cresting the highpoint along the Wyatt Hill shoulder the trail descends gradually through hardwood forest and becomes increasingly muddy and boggy until reaching the outlet of Wachipauka Pond. Several sections of boardwalk are here to help keep feet dry, thankfully in winter this area was frozen over and easy terrain to tramp on snowshoes.

*Webster Slide Mt comes into view; 1,670’*

All the while, since cresting the shoulder and beginning the descent, the objective comes into sight, the open slabs of Webster Slide shining a brilliant silvery white as the morning rays hit its snowy rock face, what a sight!

Reaching the pond, a rough spur trail can be found on the left that follows the western shore of the pond and eventually arrives at an open campsite clearing with a beautifully old white pine which has seen better days; from the campsite Mount Mist (2,220’) can be seen with its’ dramatic eastern cliff-faces overhanging the sparkling surface.

Footing along the Wachipauka Pond Trail becomes rough and quite rocky in warmer months as it traces between the northern shore of the pond and the massive slabby face of Webster Slide towering high. As it was winter, these boulders strewn about the trail were merely snow-capped pillows to trod across the tops of.

Thinking I would have a better look at the bottom cliffs, it appeared the approach was rather low angle and the snow was still firm at 8:30am. I began bushwhacking through a mixed and open forest over fallen car-sized boulders, headed straight for the SE face. Upon arriving at the base of snow and ice-covered slabs I switched to Hillsound spikes and clutched an ice axe.

*Icicles adorning the SE cliff face; ~1,770’*

When I left my car an hour earlier it was about 16°, full sun was now quickly warming all surfaces. At the sound of falling ice from high up on the cliffs I made quick work of side-hilling to safer, more stable ground.

I carefully ascended along the left side of the main southeastern cliff-face until back on crunchier snow and began to swing directly north through the woods quickly reaching the summit lookout which overlooks the pond.

Near the summit was the former location of the Dartmouth Outing Clubs’ Wachipauka Shelter which was noted as being “simply equipped” for the public to use. The 1976 AMC Mountain Guide book noted its future as: “shelter scheduled to be dismantled when change in trail takes place”, referring to the Appalachian Trail reroute over Mt Mist later that year. It has been reported that the DOC burned the shelter in 1978.

*Overlook of Wachipauka Pond w/ east-facing cliffs of Mt Mist; 2,090’*

The summit is a beautiful array of conifers: lush red pine basking in open air at the overlook soon transitioning to brushy spruce and fir as one progresses away from the clearing and back onto the Webster Slide Trail toward the summit. The peak is no longer marked but is about 0.1-mile back on trail, off to the right (NE) while descending.

There is also a herd path off the summit guiding toward a southwestern lookout atop more cliffs, showcasing Mt Cube (2,909’), which is easier followed in warmer months.

Passing by several blowdowns which have yet to be cleared, the blue blazed trail begins descending gradually while swinging gently left (SW) and quickly becomes steeper and heavily eroded.

At about the 0.5-mile mark the trail begins to level out and swing left yet again, this time joining an old woods road which was the former AT, this would have also continued to the right and is still faintly visible leading into the forest. I followed the trail to the left, descending further and leading toward Wachipauka Pond.

*DOC orange/black blaze still visible on the former AT corridor; 1,690’*

After noticing some new unpainted trail signs at the current Appalachian Trail intersection, I decided to proceed further downhill, following a very wet Wachipauka Pond Spur trail toward waters edge and the camping area which loops around the western side of the pond and back northerly, bisecting the Wachipauka Pond Trail.

Following my earlier snowshoe tracks east, I veered off near the highpoint of Wyatt Hill and bee-lined straight toward the summit - if there is anything signifying that is Wyatt Hill, it must have been deep under the snowpack! Still a wonderful jaunt and happy to say, the easiest bushwhack I’ve done in the White Mountains in a long while, a place I’ll surely make a return trek to.

This goes for Webster Slide as well. I made notes of several other slides and places of interest to give me reason to poke around some more. While this area is popular and generally busy with both thru-hikers and day-hikers in fair weather months, it’s often quiet enough to hear the snowflakes drop in the wintertime. My kind of wilderness right here.

Overall stats for the day:
5.89miles
4hr 29 minutes
2,156’ elevation gain

Webster Slide Mountain - 2,184’
Wyatt Hill - 1,841’

*elevations vary depending on resource

Webster Slide Mtn

Smarts Mtn: The Southside

Piermont Mtn