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Backpacking The Fire Warden’s Loop

Backpacking a Firewardens Loop

The Fire Warden’s Loop is a 2-3 day, 18 mile backpacking route that climbs four 4000 footers: Hale, Zealand, South Twin, and North Twin. All four of these peaks surround the Little River Valley but aren’t normally climbed together as a group by day hikers because there isn’t an obvious loop to follow. While there’s a trail from the North Twin Trailhead to North Twin Mountain, there’s not a well-known trail linking Hale to the valley floor.

However, there used to be a fire tower on Hale (removed in 1972) and a road leading to it that was named the Mt Hale Trail. It’s known today as the Fire Warden’s Trail and is still used by winter hikers and backcountry skiers to climb Hale when the roads to trails on the other side of the mountain are closed in winter. That old trail has been kept open (although it’s not listed in the White Mountain Guide or Appalachian Mountain Club Maps) and makes it possible to climb all four peaks in a continuous loop.

This isn’t atypical in the Whites. There are a lot of old logging roads and herd paths used by hikers that aren’t “officially” recognized but are still widely used. Their routes are frequently available in apps and online mapping programs that incorporate open-source GPS data like the GaiaGPS app and Caltopo.com.

Firewardens Loop

Download PDF Map

This trip starts with an ascent of Hale on the Fire Warden’s Trail, before dropping down to the AMC’s Zealand Hut on the Lend-a-Hand Trail. From there, it climbs to an open cliff called Zeacliff, which has a great view of Zealand Notch and the Whitewall Mountain Cliffs. After passing a small alpine lake called Zeacliff Pond, hikers summit Mt Zealand, followed by Mt Guyot. Next, the route follows the Twinway to South Twin Mountain, before traveling out to North Twin Mountain and dropping steeply down to the route’s beginning in the Little River Valley.

Optional Extension: You can easily add West Bond, Bondcliff, and Mt Bond to this route. All three of these peaks are in close proximity to Mt Guyot and the Guyot Tentsite which is a convenient campsite along the route.

Rating

B4 - Toggle Open for Key

Distance

A: Less than 15 miles in distance

B: 15-20 miles

C: 20-25 miles

D: 25-30 miles or less

E: more than 30 miles

Elevation Gain

1: 3000 ft or less

2: 4000 ft or less

3: 5000 ft or less

4: 6000 ft or less

5: over 6000 ft

Distance/Elevation Gain

18 miles w/5600′ of cumulative elevation gain

White Mountain 4000 Footers

  • Hale
  • Zealand
  • South Twin
  • North Twin
  • West Bond, Mt Bond, Bondcliff (optional extension)

Recommended Duration

2-3 days

Season

June thru October

Permits Required

None.

Regulations

Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest.

New to the White Mountains? Read this Quick and Dirty Guide to Backpacking in the White Mountains for information about camping regulations, road access, trail shuttles, lodging, dangerous wildlife, weather, etc.

Trailhead Directions

Maps

The Appalachian Mountain Club publishes the best maps for the White Mountains and I’d recommend buying the complete AMC White Mountain Waterproof Map Set. It contains three waterproof maps (2 regions per map) although you only need carry one or two on any trip. I also use GPS apps for navigating, but these maps contain relevant trail, shelter and topographic information that is often not included in electronic maps. More detailed trail descriptions can also be found in the AMC White Mountain Guide, which is considered the hiking bible for the region. It includes detailed driving directions to remote trailheads and is indipensible for navigating to them, especially when you're out of cell tower range. Take photos of the pages you need using your phone for easy reference, instead of carrying the entire book with you on hikes.

Navigation Apps

I also recommend purchasing a GPS Phone App such as Far Out's White Mountain National Forest Guide, which lists most of the trails, trailheads, shelters, campsites, views, and water sources in the White Mountains National Forest. GaiaGPS is another GPS Phone App, which is stronger in terms of topographic map coverage for the White Mountains but does not have as much information about trailheads, shelters, campsites, views, and water sources. I use both frequently.
Note: In addition to the GeoPDF found attached to this route plan, the Fire Warden’s Trail is clearly marked in the GaiaGPS App (iPhone & Android) on the Gaia Topo Base Map.

Trail Sequence

The route follows the following trails in sequence.

  • North Twin Trail – 1.0 miles
  • Fire Warden’s Trail – 2.1 miles
  • Lend-a-Hand Trail – 2.7 miles
  • Twinway to Zealand Mountain Spur Tr – 2.8 miles
  • Zealand Mountain Spur Tr – 0.2 miles (out and back)
  • Twinway to Bondcliff Trail Junction – 1.3 miles
  • Twinway to South Twin Summit – 2.0 miles
  • North Twin Spur Trail – 1.3 miles
  • North Twin Trail – 4.3 miles

18 miles with 5500′ elevation gain.

Scenic Highlights

The following list provides cumulative distances on the route to each view or landmark.

  • Mt Hale Summit – 3.1 miles
  • Zealand Hut – 5.8 miles
  • Zeacliff – 7.0 miles
  • Zeacliff Pond – 7.4 miles
  • Zealand Summit 8.7 miles
  • Mt Guyot Summit – 10 miles
  • South Twin Summit – 12 miles
  • North Twin Summit – 13.3 miles

Camping and Shelter Options

Water

Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines alongside trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you, and don’t rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources.

The Appalachian Mountain Clubs Huts are taking reservation in 2023. Contact the AMC for reservations and information at outdoors.org. (Note: You don't have to stay in their facilities when hiking in the White Mountains.) All Randolph Mountain Club Cabins have reopened for 2023 on a first-come-first-serve basis.

On the Trail

Follow the North Twin Trail for 1.0 miles to the first river crossing. Just before the trail reaches the riverbank, turn left onto an unmarked side path and follow it for 0.4 miles, staying close to the hillside on your left. Look for an unmarked path and turn left, hiking uphill, to continue on the Fire Warden’s Trail. Use the GaiaGPS app which has the trail clearly marked on the Gaia Topo map layer, if only to keep track of your mileage before making the left turn.

The Fire Warden's Trail is easy to follow even though, like many trails in the White Mountains, it's largely unblazed
The Fire Warden’s Trail is easy to follow even though, like many trails in the White Mountains, it’s largely unblazed

The Fire Warden’s Trail, like many trails in the White Mountain National Forest, is largely unblazed. However, the trail is still heavily used and the path is easy to follow. Running along an old roadbed, the trail is a well-beaten path, with surprisingly few rocks to clamber over as it climbs uphill. If you encounter a tree blocking the path (called a blow-down), just detour around it and the path will continue heading uphill on the other side.

If you encounter a blow down or shrubbery overhanging the trail, just walk around it and keep hiking up the obvious trail tread
If you encounter a blowdown or bushes overhanging the trail, just walk around it and keep hiking up the obvious trail tread on the other side

As you approach the summit of Hale, there’s a good view through trees of Mt Washington’s east side and the ridgeline between Mt Jefferson and Mt Monroe. The Fire Wardens Trail runs directly to the Hale summit which is viewless. It has a large rock cairn at the top, with magnetic rocks that can play tricks on your compass.

Follow the lend-a-hand trail to the AMC Zealand Hut
Follow the lend-a-hand trail to the AMC Zealand Hut

From the Hale summit, follow the signed Lend-a-Hand Trail which runs down to the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Zealand Hut. When you reach the section of this forest trail that has wooden boardwalks, slow your pace way, way down to avoid slipping and falling on them if they’re wet. If you do fall, try to land on the base of your backpack where you’re sleeping bag is packed because it will cushion the fall.

When you arrive at the hut, drop your pack on the porch and go inside to visit with the crew. You don’t have to be a paying guest to visit and it’s a good place to stop for a rest and refill water bottles from the indoor taps. The Hut is also a good place to spend the night if you want to follow this route at a leisurely pace. Reservations are highly recommended though, especially in the summer and autumn.

All of the huts, major junctions, and fragile areas of the Whites are surrounded by Forest Protection Areas (FPA), usually 1/4 to 1/2 mile in diameter, where camping is prohibited. They’re all marked by signs nailed to trees that announce when you’re entering or leaving them. While I can’t recommend it, there is also large pre-existing campsite on the Ethan Pond Trail, south of the Zealand Hut, near the perimeter of the FPA surrounding Zealand Falls. Heavily used by AT Thru-hikers, it’s not the prettiest campsite by a long shot, but you can camp there for free in a pinch.

Appalachian Mountain Club's Zealand Hut
Appalachian Mountain Club’s Zealand Hut

Leave Zealand Hut and climb up the Twinway Trail to Zeacliff, a cliff face that overlooks Zealand Notch and the Whitewall Mountain cliffs on its far side. The climb up to Zeacliff is steep and rocky, ascending 900 feet in 1.2 miles, but it’s the last significant climb on the route. At the top of the climb, follow a signed side trail to the viewpoint. There’s a good view of Mt Willey in addition to the cliffs.

View of Whitewall Mountain Cliffs from Zeacliff
View of Whitewall Mountain Cliffs from Zeacliff

From the cliff, head north along the Twinway which is the major trunk trail along the northern rim of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. It also coincides with the Appalachian Trail, so you’re likely to run into thru-hikers between July and September as they head towards Maine.

As you approach Zealand Mountain, you’ll pass a 0.1 mile side trail to tiny Zeacliff Pond on your left. Depending on the year and the time of season, Zeacliff Pond may be beautiful or just plain nasty. It does have a great view of Mt Carrigan in the distance though, which is well worth checking out. Local naturalist Alex MacPhail has a wonderful description of the pond’s origins on his White Mountain Sojourn Blog, that’s worth a quick read if you’re interested in mountain pond ecology and the geological forces that help create them. For instance, I learned that the difference between a pond and a lake is whether or not sunlight can reach the bottom.

Zealand Mountain Summit Sign
Zealand Mountain Summit Sign

Continue along the Twinway until you reach the 0.1 mile spur trail that leads to the Zealand Mountains summit. The summit is viewless and hemmed in by spruce, with barely enough space to get your photo under the sign. While it may feel like you’re not on a 4000 footer, rest assured, you’re at 4260′ of elevation. That’s the beauty of ridge walks, something that the White Mountains has in abundance. Once you climb to a ridge crest, you can hike along it picking off one summit after another, with less incremental effort.

Continue along the Twinway towards Mt Guyot (pronounced Gee-oh, with a hard ‘g’.) The mountain is named after Professor Arnold H. Guyot (1807–1884), who’s credited with drawing the first map of the White Mountains. Guyot is a 4000 footer although it’s not on the AMC 4000 footer list because its summit is too close to other peaks that are.

That’s the funny thing with peakbagging lists, they are not a literal reflection of the landscape (The Adirondack 46ers 4,000 footer list contains several peaks less than 4,000 feet in height), but very much a man-made abstraction. For example, Guyot is considered a 4000 footer on another White Mountains peakbagging list called the Trailwrights 72, which lists 24 additional mountains that are 4000 feet or higher, beyond the 48 peaks included on the AMC 4000 footer list. If you want a challenge, that’s the list.

Cairns on Mt Guyot
Cairns on Mt Guyot

Guyot is a pretty peak with a graceful bald summit dome topped with rock cairns. It’s also a major crossroads linking the Bondcliff Trail to the Twinway, putting the Bonds (West Bond, Mt Bond, and Bondcliff) within spitting distance if you want to add them to this route. The Bondcliff Trail also leads to the AMC’s Guyot Shelter and Tent Platforms in 0.8 miles, which is a good place to camp (the only nearby place to camp) or refill your water if you’re running low.

South Twin is a huge mountain (4902') on the north rim of the Pemigewasset Wilderness
South Twin is a huge mountain (4902′) on the north rim of the Pemigewasset Wilderness

From the Guyot summit, continue northwest on the Twinway, passing through dense woods, to the summit of South Twin Mountain, where the view of Franconia Ridge and Mt Garfield more than makes up for the lack of views on Mts Hale and Zealand. On clear summer days, you can even see hang gliders soaring above Franconia Ridge on the hot air thermals.

Ledges on North Twin Mountain
Ledges on North Twin Mountain

From South Twin, turn right onto the North Twin Spur Trail, reaching the summit of North Twin in 1.3 miles, passing open ledges with more great views. There’s also a short side trail from the summit cairn to another ledge overlooking Mt Garfield and its sub-peaks, which is a great place for lunch or to admire the view.

Continue onto the North Twin Trail, which descends steeply down to the Little River Valley for 4.3 miles. The descent requires three stream crossings, which can be difficult in high water. Being a steep and narrow valley, the Little River can flash up quickly during a heavy rain event, so check the weather during the dates of your hike to avoid heavy rain. If you do find yourself unable to cross safely during high water, wait for the water level to drop until it’s safe to cross. The Little River has a small watershed and the levels will drop quickly.

Little River Water Crossing
Little River Water Crossing

After the final water crossing, it’s a short walk back to the North Twin Trailhead where this route began. If it’s warm out, there are many fine cascades and pools along the river where you can swim and cool off. I haven’t found any trout yet in this section of the Little River, but your luck may be better.

About the author

Philip Werner has hiked and backpacked over 8500 miles in the United States and the UK and written over 3000 articles as the founder of SectionHiker.com, noted for its backpacking gear reviews and hiking FAQs. A devotee of New Hampshire and Maine hiking and backpacking, Philip has hiked all 650+ trails in the White Mountains twice and has completed 10 rounds of the 48 peaks on the White Mountains 4000 footer list with over 560 summits in all four seasons. He is also the author of Backpacking the White Mountain 4000 Footers, a free online guidebook of the best backpacking trips in the White Mountains in New Hampshire and Maine. He lives in New Hampshire. Click here to subscribe to the SectionHiker newsletter.

Safety Disclaimer

This trip plan can not alert you to every hazard, anticipate your experience, or limitations. Therefore, the descriptions of roads, trails, routes, shelters, tent sites, and natural features in this trip plan are not representations that a particular place or excursion will be safe for you or members of your party. When you follow any of the routes described on SectionHiker.com, you assume responsibility for your own safety. Under normal conditions, such excursions require the usual attention to traffic, road and trail conditions, weather, terrain, the capabilities of your party, and other factors. Always check for current conditions, obey posted signs, and Backcountry Camping and Wilderness Area Regulations. Hike Safe and follow the Hiker responsibility code. 

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13 comments

  1. Guyot was the last peak on my Trailwrights list. The same day I finished my winter 4k’s on the Bonds during a full traverse!

  2. I re-hiked the Firewarden’s trail a few weeks ago so the trail info is very fresh. I remember climbing Hale with you and Loki many years ago. Time flies. Enjoy the routes!

  3. Just wanted to say a huge thanks for putting this out there! My son and I did this loop, with the Bondcliff extension, this past weekend as our first-ever backpacking trip (after 15 other 4,000-ers). It was an amazing experience – and of course a very efficient way to tick off seven of the 48!). Really appreciate the effort you put into this series!

  4. Just finished this route – fantastic, and thanks Philip for the excellent description. One thought: if you’re not staying at Guyot, then detouring there just for water can feel like a bit of a drag since you lose some elevation. If you have a good filter you can probably fill up at Zeacliff Pond and that should get you up and over North Twin without having to detour to Guyot; there’s plenty of water starting about halfway down North Twin. (Though perhaps after a dry spell Zeacliff Pond won’t look so appetizing.) Also, that North Twin descent is no picnic after a long day – be prepared to go more slowly than you think you will. At least that was my experience.

  5. Just checking-in reporting we did this loop over the weekend.

    We ended up doing the hike as described but in reverse going up the Twins first and coming down the Fire Warden Trail. The goal was to get most of the elevation climb out of the way on day one and end with an easier decent.

    The trip works well in reverse and was a fantastic overnight. The only tricky part being there is a decent stretch without reliable water if you don’t want to hike down to Guyot. We did it as an overnight with a long day 1 ended by lend-a-hand and a short day 2.

    The fire warden trail was a highlight. No other people, nice gentle slope, easy to follow trail.

    I think we would have struggled had it been hotter with direct sun but on an overcast 75 degree day it was perfect. The trail was super busy on a weekend but not unexpectedly so.

    Thanks for all your work making and updating these trips Philip.

  6. Planning this route in July, possibly in reverse per Craig’s suggestion. West Bond and Bond are on the list, but not the long rocky walk to bondcliff, even though it’s awesome and beautiful. Will be our first trip with hammocks – and I understand you’ve gone that way at least sometimes. Any thoughts on where to plan to hang? Love your work – have for years! Thank you – you’ve sent us to so many wonderful places with your writing.

  7. We too just did this route in reverse (10/2-10/3), but not by choice. We actually couldn’t find the turn off to the fire wardens trail. Also, the weather was not great. Zero visibility on the peaks and we were rained on the entire trip. No regrets though, still a great experience for an out of towner from Florida.

    Thanks for your help!

    • Sounds like you found it coming down from Hale. In the future, get yourself GaiaGPS if you don’t already have it. It’s useful for tracking your mileage and it also has the Firewardens trail listed on the GaiaTopo layer. But I was also up there fairly recently and the turnoff is pretty clear. The blazed tree that used to mark the path is gone, but you just have to walk up the trail a few steps to see that it’s a real trail.

  8. Philippe (Phil) Plageman

    Phil, really have enjoyed discovering your web site and am intrigued by this loop – I have done all the summits in question but not as a loop.

    I am interested in doing the fire warden’s trail – how recent are the above comments, particularly your last comment? … –

    “I was also up there fairly recently and the turnoff is pretty clear. The blazed tree that used to mark the path is gone, but you just have to walk up the trail a few steps to see that it’s a real trail.”

    – thanks a bunch, God bless, Philippe (Phil) Plageman

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