Mt. Agamenticus Ascent

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Mount Agamenticus used to be a hopping ski area back in the day. The only hops at Mt. A nowadays are the kind you enjoy between laps up and down its slopes (remember to pack out what you pack in).

Parking: There's a lot at the base of the road up the mountain. You can't park there until it's been plowed. The town also posts temporary signs prohibiting parking in certain sections along the road. Look for signs and read them to avoid getting ticketed or towed. Road conditions permitting, you can also drive to the top and skin back up to your car at the end of your session. Roads up mountains are really a shame....

There are many ways up and down Mount Agamenticus. I've included the skin track that's worked well for me just to put Mt A on the radar, but alternate routes also work fine. This route begins at the lot at the base of the mountain road. It's possible to take a slightly more direct route or to wrap further around the Ring Trail and then up. The Ring Trail can turn into a stream in warm conditions or spring time, so be prepared to get creative or change plans depending upon snow or conditions. It also receives heavy snowshoe, foot, and paw traffic.

There are also many routes down the mountain. The Vulture's View Trail offers a nice descent that's fairly clear and wide enough to control speed and make turns. The descent is certainly not too steep or technical but still provides a good time. This trail is on the north side of the mountain, where the snow usually remains the best. This is also where the ski slope used to be. Thus, many of the best descents are in the thinner woods around Vulture's View.

Don't expect too much from Mount Agamenticus. It's a small mountain. However, with limited time or good snow, Mt. A can be a welcome surprise. The views are spectacular (you can see the ocean, Boon Lighthouse, and Mt. Washington all from the same spot), the skiing is decent, and the accessibility is out of this world.