Mount Whiteface

For the mountain in New York state, see Whiteface Mountain.

Mount Whiteface
Highest point
Elevation4,019 ft (1,225 m)
Prominence590 ft (180 m)
ListingWhite Mountain 4000-Footers
Coordinates43°56′02″N 71°24′21″W / 43.9339596°N 71.4059074°W / 43.9339596; -71.4059074[1]
Geography
Mount Whiteface is located in New Hampshire
Mount Whiteface
Mount Whiteface
Location of Whiteface
LocationGrafton County, New Hampshire, U.S.
Parent rangeSandwich Range
Topo mapUSGS Mount Tripyramid

Mount Whiteface is a 4,019 ft (1,225 m) mountain located in Grafton County, New Hampshire. The mountain is part of the Sandwich Range of the White Mountains. Whiteface is flanked to the northwest by Mount Tripyramid, and to the northeast by Mount Passaconaway. Whiteface is on the eastern border of the Sandwich Range Wilderness. To the east, between Whiteface, Passaconaway, and Mt. Wonalancet, lies The Bowl natural area, an unlogged cirque.

Mt. Whiteface lies within the watershed of the Saco River, which reaches the Gulf of Maine at Saco, Maine. The south side of Whiteface is drained by the Whiteface River, thence into the Cold River, Bearcamp River, Ossipee River, and the Saco River. The east side is drained by the Wonalancet River, thence into Swift River, and Bearcamp River. The north side is drained by Downes Brook, thence into another Swift River, and the Saco River.

The summit of Mt. Whiteface is in a wooded area along the Rollins Trail, approximately .3 miles (0.5 km) north of the top of the massive granite cliff for which the mountain is named. Many hikers reach the open area at the top of the cliff and do not realize the true summit is farther to the north.[2]

The summit is popular among winter climbers, favoring the Blueberry Ledge trail for ascent.

History

In the 1850s, the first official trail to the summit is built, the McCrillis trail.

In 1871, the United States Coast Survey erected a signal station on the summit.

In 1875, the poet Lucy Larcom visited the summit, and wrote a sonnet about it.

In 1895, Thomas S. Wiggin cuts the Wiggin trail to the summit, branching from Dicey's Mill Trail.

In 1899, Gordon H. Taylor blazes the Blueberry Ledge Trail, useful for snowshoeing.

In 1914, The Bowl is added to the WMNF.

In 1931, The bowl is designated as a Research Natural Area.

In 1984, Congress creates the Sandwich Range Wilderness, including Mount Whiteface.

In 2002, Camp Shehadi and Camp Heermance are removed due to deterioration.[3]

Climate

Climate data for Mount Whiteface 43.9356 N, 71.4081 W, Elevation: 3,727 ft (1,136 m) (1991–2020 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 19.7
(−6.8) 		22.0
(−5.6) 		29.1
(−1.6) 		44.3
(6.8) 		56.6
(13.7) 		65.0
(18.3) 		69.5
(20.8) 		68.2
(20.1) 		61.7
(16.5) 		49.3
(9.6) 		35.3
(1.8) 		25.2
(−3.8) 		45.5
(7.5)
Daily mean °F (°C) 11.8
(−11.2) 		13.5
(−10.3) 		20.2
(−6.6) 		33.9
(1.1) 		46.3
(7.9) 		55.2
(12.9) 		59.9
(15.5) 		58.9
(14.9) 		52.5
(11.4) 		40.7
(4.8) 		28.9
(−1.7) 		18.8
(−7.3) 		36.7
(2.6)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 4.0
(−15.6) 		5.0
(−15.0) 		11.3
(−11.5) 		23.5
(−4.7) 		36.0
(2.2) 		45.4
(7.4) 		50.4
(10.2) 		49.5
(9.7) 		43.2
(6.2) 		32.2
(0.1) 		22.4
(−5.3) 		12.3
(−10.9) 		27.9
(−2.3)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 5.69
(145) 		4.49
(114) 		5.56
(141) 		5.37
(136) 		6.31
(160) 		7.00
(178) 		6.90
(175) 		7.08
(180) 		4.94
(125) 		7.05
(179) 		5.88
(149) 		6.66
(169) 		72.93
(1,851)
Source: PRISM Climate Group[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Mount Whiteface". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ "Mount Whiteface". Summitpost.org. September 28, 2004. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
  3. ^ Smith, Steven D.; Dickerman, Mike (2017). The 4000-Footers of the White Mountains: A Guide and History (Second Edition). Littleton, New Hampshire: Bondcliff Books. ISBN 978-1-931271-24-0.
  4. ^ "PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University". PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University. Retrieved October 26, 2023. To find the table data on the PRISM website, start by clicking Coordinates (under Location); copy Latitude and Longitude figures from top of table; click Zoom to location; click Precipitation, Minimum temp, Mean temp, Maximum temp; click 30-year normals, 1991-2020; click 800m; click Retrieve Time Series button.