CROSS COUNTRY SKIING Greeley
Ponds/Livermore Road Ski Trails
Two interconnecting and scenic
cross country ski trails, Livermore Road (3.4 km/2.1 miles) and
Greeley Ponds Trail (8.7 km/5.4 miles) provide a challenging experience
for both novice and expert skier alike. No fee is charged for skiing
these trails. However, adjacent to Livermore Road is the Waterville
Valley Ski Touring Centers system of trails which does require a
fee for their use. Although many of the trails in this system are
on National Forest land, they are maintained by the Touring Center
under a Special Use permit and are meticulously groomed by blading,
packing and setting tracks. By comparison, the Forest Service provides
a minimum standard of maintenance to ensure a safe, skiable trail.
Access #1:
Livermore Road/Greeley Ponds Cross Country Ski Parking Area is 1.9
miles north of the Tripoli Road/NH Route 49 junction. Follow Tripoli
Road 1.3 miles to the access road for Mt. Tecumseh Ski Area, bear
right and go 0.5 mile. Turn right and cross the bridge, then bear
left. Parking is available for about 50 cars.
The Greeley Ponds Trail follows
old logging roadways while Livermore Road has been upgraded to provide
better access for fire protection and other resource management
purposes. Difficulty rating signs are posted at each trail junction
and blue diamond reassurance markers are used wherever necessary.
Access #2:
Greeley Ponds Cross Country Ski Parking Area is 9.3 miles east of
I-93, Exit 32 on the Kancamagus Highway (NH 112). Parking is available
for about 10 cars.
NOTE: The trailhead for Greeley
Ponds Hiking Trail is 0.2 mile farther east.
Expert skiers start their
tour to picturesque Greeley Ponds from the Kancamagus Highway or
Waterville Valley. Novice skiers begin at the Livermore Road/Greeley
Ponds Parking Area, which provides a relatively easy 5 km (3 miles)
tour to Lower Greeley Pond. The last 0.5 km (0.3 mile) section before
the pond is somewhat more difficult. CAUTION should be used when
descending this portion of the trail.
In 1964 the Forest Service
established the 810 acres Greeley ponds Scenic Area to protect this
spectacular portion of the White Mountain National Forest in its
natural state. This is a FOREST PROTECTION AREA. CAMPING AND CAMPFIRES
ARE PROHIBITED YEAR-ROUND. Please help protect this unique area
so that others may enjoy its unspoiled beauty.
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