Good 2 night backpack is the southern/southwestern/western Whites

[gustmouse]

Hello, All
I’m looking for a good 2 night backpack is the southern/southwestern/western whites. I was thinking about hiking in the Pemi, wilderness trail, Zealand notch and Bond cliff area which I really like. But I’ve done that hike a few times and thinking on doing something different. Loops and views are great. I have another holiday weekend off from camping with the family.So what that really means is another backpack! This one is planned for the fourth of July holiday. So as long as it’s not too blazing hot the smaller 4000 footer Whites could be interesting.

 

[MichaelJ]

Hmm. I can give you a great 1-night by going up over the Tripyramids from Pine Bend Brook, camping past the Sleepers at the top of the Downes Brook Trail, then heading over Whiteface and Passaconaway, out Oliverian Brook Trail, then a short road walk back on the Pemi.

A really great loop with some amazing views but no 4K's is to go in from the Fish Hatchery in Berlin on the Mill Brook Trail towards Rogers Ledge. Camp there for the night. Next day go to Unknown Pond. Camp there and daypack it up the Horn. Last day head out the Unknown Pond Trail to York Pond Road and walk back to your car.

You can also hike into Flat Mountain Pond and set up camp at the shelter, use it as a base for hikes out to Sandwich Dome and other surrounding peaks.

Oh, and one last suggestion for a great trip that requires a car spot or a cab/shuttle service is to start on the AT (Kinsman Ridge Trail) at Rte 112 and go north. First night at Eliza Brook Shelter. You can get all the way out on the second day, but why rush, take your time and spend a second night at Kinsman Pond Shelter, then head on your last day over Cannon and out.

 

[SkiDog]

How bout the traditional Pemi Loop?

M

 

[gustmouse]

Thanks for the suggestions, the Roger's Ledge loop hike really sounds interesting. I’ll definitely keep that one in mind. It is a little further than I like to go for a few days. But I camp and do some day hikes at the end of July for two weeks in the Whites every year, so maybe then!
I like the pemi region since it’s only a 4-5 hour drive for me, plus there some really great hiking there. But I’ve seen the mountains to the east and south of the Twin/ Bond range and always thought it would be cool to check some of those out. I’ve taken the AT east to Crawford’s and Mt. Webster, but never onto any of those mountains in that general direction or to the south.

 

[MichaelJ]

How about starting at Crawford Notch, going up over the A-Z trail with a side trip up Mt. Tom, then down into the gorgeous Zealand valley and out the AT to Ethan Pond shelter for the night. Next day take the Shoal Pond Trail towards Carrigain, find a place to camp (unfortunately, the former Desolation shelter area is verboten, but there are other spots I'm sure) and head up Carrigain. Last day either out to Lincoln Woods (if you've got a car spot) or back up through the Zealand Valley and over the A-Z again. Or possibly catch the AMC shuttle at the Zealand parking lot to get back to Crawford (aka Highland Center)?

 

[gustmouse]

How about starting at Crawford Notch, going up over the A-Z trail with a side trip up Mt. Tom, then down into the gorgeous Zealand valley and out the AT to Ethan Pond shelter for the night. Next day take the Shoal Pond Trail towards Carrigain, find a place to camp (unfortunately, the former Desolation shelter area is verboten, but there are other spots I'm sure) and head up Carrigain. Last day either out to Lincoln Woods (if you've got a car spot) or back up through the Zealand Valley and over the A-Z again. Or possibly catch the AMC shuttle at the Zealand parking lot to get back to Crawford (aka Highland Center)?

That’s a possibility, I’ll have to check the map!

Thanks

 

[Mike P.]

Oh, and one last suggestion for a great trip that requires a car spot or a cab/shuttle service is to start on the AT (Kinsman Ridge Trail) at Rte 112 and go north. First night at Eliza Brook Shelter. You can get all the way out on the second day, but why rush, take your time and spend a second night at Kinsman Pond Shelter, then head on your last day over Cannon and out.

If you are checking maps out, check this area also, I have not done any hiking in here other than day trips to the 4k peaks & NE Cannonball but I seem to recall a couple of more shelters furthers south. I don't have the map handy but I'm thinking around Reel brook or Gordon Pond. Also don't know if any loops or partial (or long) road walks involved or if you need a car spot.

I do find scouring the maps looking for my next trip to be a great way to think trail when I can't get there.