Just thought I drop a line and say hey. I recently moved to NH and I’m just starting to educate myself about hiking in the whites and such. Im wondering if anyone can suggest some good beginner hikes/scrambles. I have hiked a bit in southern Nh (monadnock, and miller state park) but I don’t feel confident enough yet to tackle the larger mountains (Jefferson, Adams Washington or any of the 4k ones). Basically I’m just looking to get my feet wet and start enjoying some great hikes. Thanks a lot and take care.
-
Welcome to AlpineZone, the largest online community of skiers and snowboarders in the Northeast!
You may have to REGISTER before you can post. Registering is FREE, gets rid of the majority of advertisements, and lets you participate in giveaways and other AlpineZone events!
Hey all
- Thread starter LongStep
- Start date
Welcome to New England & Alpinezone!
Right now to the north it's still winter, regardless of what it says on the calendar or outside your door, & it will be for a little while still. An AMC White Mountain Guide (available online, at EMS, LL Bean, KTP, & probably most bookstores) is a very valuable tool for the Whites. (has been referred to as the NH hikng Bible)
The wrong day weather wise on Monadnock can be just as bad as you'll find on most of the higher peaks to the north & plenty of people have gotten lost wandering down the wrong side of the rocky cone. I liek to think of Monadnock as a nice NH peak in minuture, same things can happen. (although to the best of my knowledge no blueberries on Washington.)
Assuming you are talking about summer season, (approx. Memorial Day through Labor Day) having the ten essentials of curse would be a good thing to have, (okay many people's 10 are different) I'd include a compass & map, an itenerary left with someone, good footwear, water, food, light (flashlight, headlamp), a pack, a waterproof coat & maybe a warmth layer + the sense to come out of the rain when you see it coming, or better yet, know it's coming (as opposed to getting soaked & then realizing you need to get inside) Some type of firestarter is on the list usually & these days a cellphone is carried by many people too.
Now, if you don't mind getting wet or the season I mentioned above seems too short, you can still go out & hike, you just need more stuff. (insulating pants, rain pants, hats gloves all likely can be worn in late April & in late September & October, In April you might even need snowshoes & sometimes October too.)
You've already done one hike I'd recommend as a training hike. Plenty of people in some semblence of fitness have done 4K peaks in sneakers in bad gear & lived to tell the tale. That said being better prepared should mean you'll enjoy it more.
Who to hike with? If you have friends or family that should be your first choice. If you don't the AMC list many hikes that their members run. You don't have to be a member, most hikes I believe are listed on their site, www.outdoors.org I believe a couple of groups in Manchester, NH run hikes, EMS stores used to run hikes too.
Some people (myself included) will hike solo. On a Saturday in the summer (& winter too) on the main trails up the 4K peaks, especially Franconia Notch, the Presidentials or anywhere near an AMC hut, it's hard to be really solo unless the weather is really awful/borderline horrific. (even on bad days, I'll see some people) We have some trip reports here, a few people are out every week, sometimes more than once a week. The best place to get trail info from trail reports is Views from the Top. www.viewsfromthetop.com VFTT has a bbs section that is moderated & requires referral but the trail conditions section is available for everyone. You should get a good feeling looking at other people's reports on how much snow is left.
Some other peaks to warm up on include Belknap Mt. in the Lakes Region & there was a report that the Welch-Dickey Loop in the Waterville vicinity was mostlt snow free but that may change in the next couple of days. Mt. Cardigan is very similar to Monadnock also. in Mt. Wachusett would be a good warm up also. Once you get up to the Whites, Tecumseh, Osceola (from Tripoli Road) Pierce, Hale, Cannon, Jackson, Waumbek, Field & Tom offer short hikes to the summit. Most have some type of view either from the trail or top & while Pierce, Osceola & Jackson have great views.
Enjoy!
Right now to the north it's still winter, regardless of what it says on the calendar or outside your door, & it will be for a little while still. An AMC White Mountain Guide (available online, at EMS, LL Bean, KTP, & probably most bookstores) is a very valuable tool for the Whites. (has been referred to as the NH hikng Bible)
The wrong day weather wise on Monadnock can be just as bad as you'll find on most of the higher peaks to the north & plenty of people have gotten lost wandering down the wrong side of the rocky cone. I liek to think of Monadnock as a nice NH peak in minuture, same things can happen. (although to the best of my knowledge no blueberries on Washington.)
Assuming you are talking about summer season, (approx. Memorial Day through Labor Day) having the ten essentials of curse would be a good thing to have, (okay many people's 10 are different) I'd include a compass & map, an itenerary left with someone, good footwear, water, food, light (flashlight, headlamp), a pack, a waterproof coat & maybe a warmth layer + the sense to come out of the rain when you see it coming, or better yet, know it's coming (as opposed to getting soaked & then realizing you need to get inside) Some type of firestarter is on the list usually & these days a cellphone is carried by many people too.
Now, if you don't mind getting wet or the season I mentioned above seems too short, you can still go out & hike, you just need more stuff. (insulating pants, rain pants, hats gloves all likely can be worn in late April & in late September & October, In April you might even need snowshoes & sometimes October too.)
You've already done one hike I'd recommend as a training hike. Plenty of people in some semblence of fitness have done 4K peaks in sneakers in bad gear & lived to tell the tale. That said being better prepared should mean you'll enjoy it more.
Who to hike with? If you have friends or family that should be your first choice. If you don't the AMC list many hikes that their members run. You don't have to be a member, most hikes I believe are listed on their site, www.outdoors.org I believe a couple of groups in Manchester, NH run hikes, EMS stores used to run hikes too.
Some people (myself included) will hike solo. On a Saturday in the summer (& winter too) on the main trails up the 4K peaks, especially Franconia Notch, the Presidentials or anywhere near an AMC hut, it's hard to be really solo unless the weather is really awful/borderline horrific. (even on bad days, I'll see some people) We have some trip reports here, a few people are out every week, sometimes more than once a week. The best place to get trail info from trail reports is Views from the Top. www.viewsfromthetop.com VFTT has a bbs section that is moderated & requires referral but the trail conditions section is available for everyone. You should get a good feeling looking at other people's reports on how much snow is left.
Some other peaks to warm up on include Belknap Mt. in the Lakes Region & there was a report that the Welch-Dickey Loop in the Waterville vicinity was mostlt snow free but that may change in the next couple of days. Mt. Cardigan is very similar to Monadnock also. in Mt. Wachusett would be a good warm up also. Once you get up to the Whites, Tecumseh, Osceola (from Tripoli Road) Pierce, Hale, Cannon, Jackson, Waumbek, Field & Tom offer short hikes to the summit. Most have some type of view either from the trail or top & while Pierce, Osceola & Jackson have great views.
Enjoy!
Last edited:
well thank you for the insight. Ill for sure try out some of those that you mentioned. Thanks again
Nick
A few shorter hikes in the whites that I would recommend if you are not ready for or trying to avoid the 4k scene:
Mt Kersarge North: This trailhead is just off of the Hurricane Mt Road just north of N. Conway. A dencent, but relatively easy hike with excellent views from a firetower at the summit.
3 great hikes that are about 20-30 minutes north of conway on rt 302:
1. Mt Crawford via the Davis Path. 5 miles round trip to what is in my opinion the best view in the whites. I think the summit is about 3.1k in elevation. Continuing on to Mt Resolution is an option to lengthen this trip. I have not yet been to Resolution but have heard its another good peak.
2. Arethusa Falls/Frankenstein Cliff. not a mountain summit, but I think if you do the short Falcon Cliff spur it reaches about 2.8k with a terrific view, plus you get to see the amazaing Arethusa Falls that is worth the trip alone. I'm going to try to make this one during high water this spring. The round trip is a gentle 4.5 miles.
3. Mt. Avalon starting from the Crawford Notch Depot. This one reaces about 3.5k, but has a high starting elevation and I think is less than 4 miles round trip. Good views and a small waterfall on the way (I think called Beacher Falls or something like that). Nice thing about this one is that Mt Field is only about a mile down the trail if you keep going. If you are having a good day when you reach Avalon, Mt Field is an easy mostly wooded 4k that you could tack on for braging rights.
There are a ton of possibilities, these are just some that I have enjoyed.
Mt Kersarge North: This trailhead is just off of the Hurricane Mt Road just north of N. Conway. A dencent, but relatively easy hike with excellent views from a firetower at the summit.
3 great hikes that are about 20-30 minutes north of conway on rt 302:
1. Mt Crawford via the Davis Path. 5 miles round trip to what is in my opinion the best view in the whites. I think the summit is about 3.1k in elevation. Continuing on to Mt Resolution is an option to lengthen this trip. I have not yet been to Resolution but have heard its another good peak.
2. Arethusa Falls/Frankenstein Cliff. not a mountain summit, but I think if you do the short Falcon Cliff spur it reaches about 2.8k with a terrific view, plus you get to see the amazaing Arethusa Falls that is worth the trip alone. I'm going to try to make this one during high water this spring. The round trip is a gentle 4.5 miles.
3. Mt. Avalon starting from the Crawford Notch Depot. This one reaces about 3.5k, but has a high starting elevation and I think is less than 4 miles round trip. Good views and a small waterfall on the way (I think called Beacher Falls or something like that). Nice thing about this one is that Mt Field is only about a mile down the trail if you keep going. If you are having a good day when you reach Avalon, Mt Field is an easy mostly wooded 4k that you could tack on for braging rights.
There are a ton of possibilities, these are just some that I have enjoyed.
wow good stuff and thanks. while i dont feel ready for the 4ker's these should help me get in the swing of things. I will do Washington!!! When the time is right.
threecy
New member
Maybe try some stuff between where you are and the Whites, such as Sunapee, Kearsarge (south), Cardigan...those are all similar to Monadnock in size, but not quite as heavily hiked.
A nice non 4k White Mtn. hike is Chocorua...might want to wait a little on hiking it, just picked up some fresh snow.
A nice non 4k White Mtn. hike is Chocorua...might want to wait a little on hiking it, just picked up some fresh snow.
Paul
New member
Excellent suggestions from everyone.
One that may sound silly, and even a bit "tourist-y" is the Flume Gorge trail in Franconia Notch. Its not a mountain, but a nice walk / light hike right up the middle of a gorge. There are wooden walkways over the stream, and that scale the sides of the gorge. There is also a trail that winds around through the woods and has some nice views of the neighboring mountains. Its a really short hike, great for young kids, if you have them. Not exactly a warm-up, but a nice diversion.
One that may sound silly, and even a bit "tourist-y" is the Flume Gorge trail in Franconia Notch. Its not a mountain, but a nice walk / light hike right up the middle of a gorge. There are wooden walkways over the stream, and that scale the sides of the gorge. There is also a trail that winds around through the woods and has some nice views of the neighboring mountains. Its a really short hike, great for young kids, if you have them. Not exactly a warm-up, but a nice diversion.
MikeTrainor
Member
Another nice hike is Mount Pemigewasset. I did this one last summer, great views from the top.
http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.asp?trailid=HGN202-020
http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.asp?trailid=HGN202-020
Similar threads
