Mt. Chocorua via Champney Falls with Middle and First Sisters

July 12, 2024 Michael Harr

Map of Champney Falls, Middle Sister, First Sister, and Mt Chocorua, White Mountain National Forest

Elevation Profile of Champney Falls, Middle Sister, First Sister, and Mt Chocorua

Overview. This is was a standout hike! We came in from the north side of Mt. Chocorua to enjoy Champney Falls and added Middle and First Sisters to the day to take advantage of the sun and clouds overhead. A steady gainer to start, a little steeper approaching the peaks, and then some fun scrambling approaching the summit. This is a marvelous hike!!!

Parking. Ample parking is available at the Champney Falls Trailhead that fills up on nice weekends. Arrive early to get a spot in the lot. Pit toilets are available at the trailhead.

Trail Navigation. The route is well marked and maintained. Here are the turn by turn directions:

Start on Champney Falls Trail and cross the brook
Continue on Champney Falls Trail past Bolles Trail
Take the left (southeast) fork to reach Champney Falls via a spur trail that flattens out for a bit until reaching the base of the falls
Continue uphill and enjoy the falls before rejoining the main trail
Enjoy a few switchbacks before turning left (northeast) onto the cutoff trail to Middle Sister - your first views will appear shortly after the turn
Reach the summit of Middle Sister and checkout the groundhouse (a sturdier version of a fire tower)
Retrace your steps and descend Middle Sister Trail staying left (south-southwest) at the fork with the cutoff trail
Ascend to the top of First Sister with a closer view of Mt. Chocorua
Descend off First Sister and follow the ridgeline to reach the open rock trail to Mt. Chocorua’s summit - follow the blazes closely to avoid more arduous scrambling than is necessary
Wrap around the west side of Chocorua’s summit before scrambling up to the top via a summit spur
Retrace your steps on the descent and turn left (west) at the fork onto Champney Falls Trail
Descend back to the parking lot

HIKER NOTE - Pitcher Falls. We missed Pitcher Falls on this trip, but it’s located up the east fork of the brook past the curtain falls at the base of Champney Falls.

CAUTION - Cliffs. Long falls from high places can happen here. Be smart and stay safe on the clifftops.

CAUTION - Be Bear Aware. Black bear are plentiful in the region. Know Before You Go => US Forest Service Black Bear Safety Tips

CAUTION - Moose. Be aware and never approach moose. Leave a wide berth and turn back if needed.

Champney Falls Parking Lot Sign

Self Service Fee Station

Pit Toilets at Champney Brook Trailhead

Champney Brook Trailhead

Bolles Trail Junction - Stay Left and Continue on Champney Brook Trail

Champney Falls Trail Junction

Split to Base of Champney Falls and Continuing Around to Pitcher Falls Up the Adjacent Drainage

Bottom of Champney Falls

Middle Champney Falls

Upper Champney Falls

Top of the Champney Falls Spur

Turn onto Middle Sister Cutoff Trail

First View from Middle Sister Cutoff Trail

Middle Sister Groundhouse and Big Views

First Look at Mt Chocorua's Summit

Groundhouse Entrance on Middle Sister

Follow the Signs to Chocorua

Mt. Chocorua from First Sister

View Out to the Lakes from First Sister

Junction with Champney Brook Trail

Continue to Chocorua from Champney Brook Trail Junction - Take Note: You will descend from here on the way back to the parking lot

Continue on Piper Trail to Chocorua

Continue to Chocorua

Looking Back to First Sister from the Shoulder of Chocorua

Ascend the Rock to Summit Chocorua (left and uphill from these signs)

View of the Lakes from Mt Chocorua

A Well Earned Rest

Descend Champney Brook Trail to the Parking Lot