Gold Mine Trail – Whitefield NH
| Date: | 11-18-2023 |
| Location: | Whitefield, NH |
| Distance: | 2.53 mi |
| Elevation Gain: | 206′ |
| Total Time: | 1 hr 13 min |
| Parking: | 3-4 cars |
We were staying up in Whitefield, NH for the weekend. So I decided to look for a short fun hike in the area. Some options were going to be various trails at Pondicherry Wildlife Preserve. Or may be some rail trails in the area. But I decided to check out a short trail that lead to an old abandoned Gold Mine.
This trail was about a 10-minute ride from where we are staying. It is in the Dana Forest in Whitefield, NH. When I got the trailhead, I noticed a large truck parked diagonally and taking up most of the spots. Typically, this trail head could hold 3-4 cars but today it could barely fit me and that poorly parked truck.
Once I finally parked, I grabbed my stuff and headed out. It was overcast out and a bit chilly. I was glad to have a long sleeve, vest, hat and gloves today. It looked like it was only about a mile out to the mine site. I decided that on the way back I would make a small loop over an old dirt road to get back.
The trail starts out nice and wide. Wide enough for an ATV but there are no trail bikes or machines allowed on this trail. I stated walking through a forest of small and tall pines. The smell from the pine trees was fantastic!!!
I continued for a bit. Many of the sections of trail are all moss covered and with the gray cloudy sky the green moss really stood out on the whole trip. After a short time, I reached the trail I would be looping back from and not long after that I reached the Junction to the main Gold Mine Trail.
This last section that leads to the mine was also pretty. It does decent a bit and I had to be careful to watch for wet leaves, rocks, and roots. After traveling for a little ways, I noticed the trail took a sharp right hand turn toward a large out crop of rocks and cliffs.
When I arrived there, I could clearly see the mine. You can see where the digging goes straight into the cliff. The mine is filled with water now and it is a bright teal due to all the minerals.
According to the New Hampshire Forest Society, the gold mine was operated by the Whitefield Mining Company from about 1880-1885. The mine goes down about 100 feet but has been filled with rock and water over the years. The mine was abandoned due to the fact it was deemed unprofitable.
After several pictures around the entrance to the mine I started to make my way back to the main trail. When I reached the main trail, I headed up to Upper Ox Team Road. When I reached the end of the forest property there was a gate noting that the trail ends, and the road begins.
I keep walking and passed a cool multi-sided house on the hill by the road. Shortly after that I found the trailhead to the West Side Trail that would loop me back to the trail I started on.
This trail was also very interesting and mossy. Lots of stops for pictures again here. When I reached the original trail, I was again remined how good all the pine trees smelled again. A few more pics on the way back and before I knew it I was back at the car.
This was a fun short and quick hike. The trail is mostly flat and easy for all levels. It was a little muddy in some spots so be sure to wear boots if you venture out to this spot.
