Everything started the same as it usually does: going to not quite the right trail head. To go up Mt. Flume via the slide you must go to the Whitehouse Trailhead. You start out on the Whitehouse Trail and at .6 miles you will follow a bike path to the Liberty Spring Trail.
The trail was mostly dry with the exception of this rather muddy section! From the start, the hike is very moderate until you reach the slide. That is where you hit the majority of your elevation gain.
Here come the rocks! You can’t hike in the Whites without hopping around. At this point we began the climb up. I read somewhere (don’t quote me!) that the slide is a 59 percent grade. On the Flume Slide you climb 1,450 feet in .7 miles. This is a serious undertaking and you should take caution (or another route) if the trail is wet! The slide is a mix of rock slabs that require scrambling and loose rocks. Because of the amount of loose rocks, do not hike too close behind someone.
The hardest part of this trail was climbing to the top of one section, turning a corner and seeing more of the slide. It was a total blast, though! Nothing like a nice challenge to finish the list.
Brenda and Pete scrambling up. We all agreed that trekking poles should be put away for the slide. They just get in the way!
After the slide, there is a nice flat section to catch your breath before hiking the last .1 mile section to Mt. Flume.
![]() |
The famous Anne Pose |
The trail to Liberty is 1.1 miles but it felt quicker. It starts out pretty moderate and then you have a steep climb to the summit. I think the excitement of hitting #48 made that leg of the hike fly by.
Toasting on top of Mt. Liberty (4,459 feet) with 360 degree views. This is why I saved these two peaks for last.
![]() |
Panoramic photo taken by Brenda Vail |
We did a loop to get back to our cars descending down Liberty Spring Trail, passing a tent site on the AT. We chatted with the caretaker for a little while and later saw a Corgi hiking up. I’ve been seeing a lot of smaller dogs on the trail lately. Maybe they’ve been reading Following Atticus?
The photo above is a drawing my boyfriend, Keith, made for me. He said he drew a moose for me because I hadn’t seen a single one on the trail! Thank you (along with my family and friends) for all the support.
I feel accomplished having completed the NH 4000-footer List and look forward to the award ceremony in April. I still have plenty to hike, though! Keep an eye out for posts on Vermont and Maine 4000-footers, the rest of the peaks to make up the New England Hundred Highest List, and the the rest of the NH 4Ks for my winter list!
Happy Trails,
Allison
Quick Facts:
Approach from: Whitehouse Trailhead (Directions from Boston)
Height: Flume: 4328′
Liberty: 4459′
Distance: 9.9 miles (loop option via flume slide)
Elevation Gain: 3750′
Time: 8:15 with summit party; 6:45 book time (sans party)
Last modified: July 13, 2017
Congratulations on your finish! It looks like a fabulous hike (we’ll be doing the same hike this weekend!) and looks like everyone had fun, too.
Congratulations! Looks like you had a beautiful day for your finish line. Flume Slide looks tough, but beautiful and doable. Reminds me of Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail above Gem Pool.
Congratulations!! Thats quite an accomplishment. So whats next? COHOS trail maybe? Whatever it is, continue to show us, I do enjoy your posts.
Congratulations, 14 months to complete the 48? what’s next? 🙂
Josh & I did this same loop in June, and we made the same mistake near the bottom of Liberty Spring, bushwhacking through 25 yds of trees to the bike trail. Lesson learned!
Wow!. Congratulations.