Gnarliest trails

salida · Oct 13, 2006, 11:19 PM

I had a terrible experience with flume slide and a dog recently.... it is a very treacherous climb in the wrong conditions or without opposable thumbs

SilentCal · Oct 15, 2006, 12:14 PM

The Link section that is mentioned is brutal. Be prepared to add extra time on your hike. I just when up Six Husbands a week ago. Treadway is getting torn up a bit in spots due to the their being no trail adopter to do routine stuff. However, it's a awesome ascent route that requires a little bit of thinking in two spots. Someone with a fear of heights may have trouble in some areas. Scenery though is 5-star from this trail.

gwags · Oct 16, 2006, 12:27 PM

After starting this thread, 2 weeks ago, I hiked Huntington and I have to say it beats the other stuff I have done. I look forward to checking out the other stuff people have mentioned. Thanks.

feldmrschl · Oct 17, 2006, 3:46 PM

Huntington is indeed quite gnarly. The old 24th edition of the White Mountain Guide starts the trail description with:

"Caution: This is the most difficult trail in the White Mountains."

However, I've thoroughly enjoyed myself the two times I've climbed up there.

ChileMass · Oct 17, 2006, 10:42 PM

David Metzky mentioned the Great Gully trail before, and based on the description in the WMG, I really want to try it. Anyone got any personal experience with it?

**thetrailboss** · Oct 17, 2006, 10:54 PM

Tripyramid North Slide was just not to my liking. A bit too steep and exposed. King Ravine is the only other thing that really threw me a loop....that trail I just got lost in the basin of the ravine...

feldmrschl · Oct 18, 2006, 8:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetrailboss

Tripyramid North Slide was just not to my liking. A bit too steep and exposed. King Ravine is the only other thing that really threw me a loop....that trail I just got lost in the basin of the ravine...

I didn't mind the Slide so much, but that was probably b/c I had just had the creepiest moment I've ever encountered hiking.

I was hiking solo and was in the greenery at the point where the trail curves at its northernmost point. Knowing that the slide was coming up, I decided to take a rest and have a snack. Well, the foliage in the area really closes in on the trail and, while I was resting, I had a sense of something watching me from the woods. Meanwhile, there were no birds around, the air was deathly still and visibility into the surrounding woods was minimal.

So, I did what any red-blooded American he-man would do. I hurriedly packed my snack and bolted for the slide. Once I hit the slide, I scrambled like a man possessed and didn't stop until I about halfway up.

David Metsky · Oct 18, 2006, 11:16 AM

The King Ravine trail Subway goes over, under, and around many massive boulders. It's a great scramble if you like scrambles, lots of places to explore. The Elevated route avoids the rock field. The Ice Caves loop is similar to the Subway. In addition to the headwall, that's the biggest draw of King Ravine to me.

Great Gully is much more wild, but not terribly difficult. In places it feels more like a route than a trail, with more loose and unconsoldiated rocks. There's one tricky place where you have to get around this overhanging rock; some folks take their packs off for this.

Another "minor" trail that people should try is Ice Gulch, north of Rt 2 in Randolph. Great scrambling and ice until August. For a more serious version of that type of terrain, Mahoosuc Notch is the classic. It's not called "The Hardest Mile on the AT" for nothing.

-dave-

from_the_NEK · Oct 18, 2006, 4:45 PM

Quote:

feldmrschl Wrote:
I didn't mind the Slide so much, but that was probably b/c I had just had the creepiest moment I've ever encountered hiking.

I was hiking solo and was in the greenery at the point where the trail curves at its northernmost point. Knowing that the slide was coming up, I decided to take a rest and have a snack. Well, the foliage in the area really closes in on the trail and, while I was resting, I had a sense of something watching me from the woods. Meanwhile, there were no birds around, the air was deathly still and visibility into the surrounding woods was minimal.

So, I did what any red-blooded American he-man would do. I hurriedly packed my snack and bolted for the slide. Once I hit the slide, I scrambled like a man possessed and didn't stop until I about halfway up.

Maybe something was watching you...very closely...

**Mike P.** · Oct 18, 2006, 6:37 PM

Wait a minute, no he-man would admit to being scared, even on the www, Have you ever stopped for directions too?

OR

No wonder I like stopping where the views are good, nothing can sneak up on you!

Have done & likely Huntington, the Slides on the Tri's & Flume Slide, Hopefully in the next year or two I can find my way up 6H, Great Gulf, Great Gully, KR, Castle Ravine & someday M-Notch

Oct 13, 2006, 11:19 PM	#21 (permalink)
salida Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Concord, NH Posts: 608	I had a terrible experience with flume slide and a dog recently.... it is a very treacherous climb in the wrong conditions or without opposable thumbs __________________ Bentley College Ski and Snowboard Club

Oct 16, 2006, 12:27 PM	#23 (permalink)
gwags Targhee Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 32	After starting this thread, 2 weeks ago, I hiked Huntington and I have to say it beats the other stuff I have done. I look forward to checking out the other stuff people have mentioned. Thanks. __________________ Gwags

Oct 17, 2006, 10:54 PM	#26 (permalink)
thetrailboss BSP 2008 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Now Playing at Sugarbush and Burke. Posts: 10,890	Tripyramid North Slide was just not to my liking. A bit too steep and exposed. King Ravine is the only other thing that really threw me a loop....that trail I just got lost in the basin of the ravine... __________________ Live, Ski, or Die! Trailboss' Ski Videos now on YouTube! Trailboss' Photo Albums. 66 days for the 2007-2008 ski season!!!! 40 of the 48 New Hampshire 4,000 Footers Completed and Counting!

Oct 18, 2006, 6:37 PM	#30 (permalink)
Mike P. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: CT Posts: 1,486	Wait a minute, no he-man would admit to being scared, even on the www, Have you ever stopped for directions too? OR No wonder I like stopping where the views are good, nothing can sneak up on you! Have done & likely Huntington, the Slides on the Tri's & Flume Slide, Hopefully in the next year or two I can find my way up 6H, Great Gulf, Great Gully, KR, Castle Ravine & someday M-Notch __________________ Happy Trails, be safe & Good Luck Mike P.

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Oct 15, 2006, 12:14 PM	#22 (permalink)
SilentCal Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Western Mass Posts: 419	The Link section that is mentioned is brutal. Be prepared to add extra time on your hike. I just when up Six Husbands a week ago. Treadway is getting torn up a bit in spots due to the their being no trail adopter to do routine stuff. However, it's a awesome ascent route that requires a little bit of thinking in two spots. Someone with a fear of heights may have trouble in some areas. Scenery though is 5-star from this trail.

Oct 17, 2006, 3:46 PM	#24 (permalink)
feldmrschl Mt Webster Oct 2003, 25F,snow Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Tewksbury, MA Posts: 13	Huntington is indeed quite gnarly. The old 24th edition of the White Mountain Guide starts the trail description with: "Caution: This is the most difficult trail in the White Mountains." However, I've thoroughly enjoyed myself the two times I've climbed up there.

Oct 17, 2006, 10:42 PM	#25 (permalink)
ChileMass In the Whites Aug 2008 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: East/Central MA Posts: 2,294	David Metzky mentioned the Great Gully trail before, and based on the description in the WMG, I really want to try it. Anyone got any personal experience with it?

Oct 18, 2006, 11:16 AM	#28 (permalink)
David Metsky Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 565	The King Ravine trail Subway goes over, under, and around many massive boulders. It's a great scramble if you like scrambles, lots of places to explore. The Elevated route avoids the rock field. The Ice Caves loop is similar to the Subway. In addition to the headwall, that's the biggest draw of King Ravine to me. Great Gully is much more wild, but not terribly difficult. In places it feels more like a route than a trail, with more loose and unconsoldiated rocks. There's one tricky place where you have to get around this overhanging rock; some folks take their packs off for this. Another "minor" trail that people should try is Ice Gulch, north of Rt 2 in Randolph. Great scrambling and ice until August. For a more serious version of that type of terrain, Mahoosuc Notch is the classic. It's not called "The Hardest Mile on the AT" for nothing. -dave-