Mount Israel NH via Wentworth Trail
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Mount Israel NH Hike Details
Trail: Wentworth Trail
Miles: 4.2 miles
Hours: 2.5 hiking; 3 total
Level: Moderate
Mount Israel NH Hike Overview
Mount Israel (2,630’) is a beautiful mountain in the Waterville Valley-Sandwich Range and is on the 52 With a View List. The Wentworth Trail offers views of Squam Lake and the Lakes Region, and the summit of Mount Israel has stunning views of the Sandwich Range. Although Mount Israel does not have 360-degree views, the mountain views do not disappoint on a clear day. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow, and it is a fun hike year-round!
Note: The Wentworth Trail to Mount Israel gains over 1,700 feet of elevation. The trail climbs steadily without many breaks, with steep areas on exposed rock. Also, I highly recommend driving to the trailhead via NH-113 because many other roads close in the winter.
Mount Israel NH via Wentworth Trail
December 10, 2022
**Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and throw away your trash properly.
Mount Israel has been on my bucket list for quite some time, so I was so excited to hike it on a beautiful December day! We arrived at the trailhead later than usual, at 10:30 AM, because we wanted to avoid the freezing temperatures in the morning. The parking lot was almost full, and we grabbed one of the last spots!
The Wentworth Trail began at the Mead Base Conversation Center and wandered into the forest behind it. The trail steadily gained elevation with minimal breaks, but it was never too difficult! A few areas within the first half-mile of the Wentworth Trail had stone stairs which were nice to have as we were gaining elevation! The first half-mile also passed over several small streams and one river. None of the stream crossings caused any issues, and we easily rock-hopped over the major river crossing. I do not think the river crossing would cause any major issues, even if the water is high. After the last river crossing, the Wentworth Trail followed the river for another 0.3 miles before turning right and beginning the ascent to Mount Israel!
On the last mile, there were a few switchbacks leading to the summit of Mount Israel. This portion of the trail had more ice than in the beginning, but most of it was easily avoidable. We brought out microspikes but never had to use them. The great thing about this trail is it was difficult to lose it. There were not any trails intersecting with the Wentworth Trail until right before the summit, and there were plenty of markers.
Once we were about a half-mile away from Mount Israel, the trail flattened out, which was a nice break for our legs! This portion of the Wentworth Trail was pretty muddy, but nothing that was not avoidable. There was also a viewpoint just before the summit with gorgeous views of Squam Lake!
Soon enough, we arrived at the summit of Mount Israel and quickly realized why the parking lot was full! We met a wonderful group of hikers hiking together for the day. They were so kind, and it was great to talk with them for a bit!
We had a bluebird day and could see all the beautiful mountains in the Sandwich Range near Mount Israel! The summit was much colder than the trail since we were above the treeline, so we only stayed for a little bit before beginning our descent. We had Meadow with us, and although she has a jacket, she gets cold quickly since she has short fur.
The descent was quick and easy! There were a few icy sections that were a little sketchy on the way down, but we did not have any issues descending them. Since we started the hike later than usual, we did not pass many ascending hikers, so the trail was peaceful and quiet. Before we knew it, we were back at the Mead Base Conversation Center!
I really liked hiking to Mount Israel! The trail was the perfect amount of difficulty and had gorgeous views.
Have you hiked Mount Israel, or is it on your bucket list?
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
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