Owls Head Mountain is a 4000-footer located deep in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. While you can hike out and back to it in a long 16-18 mile day, I had a hankering to turn it into a casual backpacking trip for a chance …
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When Does Winter Start in the White Mountains?
Winter isn’t so much of a season in the White Mountains as an altitude. The onset of winter always starts at the higher elevations first with freezing rain and snow before the snow line drops into the mountain passes and valleys below. …
Read More »Hiking Eisenhower, Pierce, and Jackson in October
Mts Eisenhower, Jackson, and Pierce are three 4000 footers in the Southern Presidentials, west of Mt Washington. I like to climb all at once when because they’re in close proximity to one another, although it can be a big day, depending on …
Read More »Hiking Mt Lafayette and Mt Lincoln in October
The two most popular peaks to climb on Franconia Ridge, are Mt Lafayette and Mt Lincoln, two 5000-footers with stellar views of Franconia Notch and the Pemigewasset Wilderness. These two mountains are sublime and magnificent in their own right, but they really …
Read More »Backpacking a Reverse Kate Sleeper Loop
Autumn has arrived in the White Mountains, but leaf-peeping season is still a few weeks out. The Forest has been surprisingly empty the past two weeks and you can hike all day and just see a handful of people if any. I’ve …
Read More »Hiking Mt Madison in September
Mt Madison is the fifth highest 4000-footer in the White Mountains, topping off at 5367′. It’s a beautiful mountain to climb and you can follow many different trails to the top. For this hike, I chose one of the less used ones, …
Read More »Great Hikes: Mt Washington, the Huntington Ravine Trail, and a Boot Spur Loop
While I enjoy hiking solo in the White Mountains in summer, there are a few trails that I won’t hike alone, in any season for that matter. The Huntington Ravine Trail is one of them. This trail, which climbs a cliff face …
Read More »Great Hikes: Climbing Mt Madison by the Pine Link Trail
When I want inspiration, I head above treeline in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. There’s something about the big views and the physical exertion of climbing a mountain that lifts my spirits and lets them soar. For this trip, I hiked up to the …
Read More »Backpacking the Fire Warden’s Loop
The Fire Warden’s Loop climbs Mts Hale, Zealand, South Twin, and North Twin Mountains, with an optional extension out to Mts Guyot, West Bond, Bond, and Bondcliff. It begins and ends along the North Twin Trail, making it a convenient loop for …
Read More »Hiking Mt Flume in August
Mt Flume is the southernmost peak on Franconia Ridge and the first mountain the Pemigewasset Loopers encounter after leaving the Lincoln Woods Trailhead. I climbed in via the Osseo Trail which provides a relatively gradual ascent, climbing 3150′ feet in 5.6 miles, …
Read More »Backpacking a 2Moose Loop
Mt Moosilauke is a massive mountain located in the southwest corner of the White Mountain National Forest. The main summit has an elevation of 4802′, which makes it the 10th highest mountain on the AMC’s 4000-footer list. My goal on this trip …
Read More »Great Hikes: The Moriah Brook Trail in the Wild River Wilderness
In an area full of superlatives, the Moriah Brook Trail is considered one of the most beautiful gems in the White Mountain National Forest. Located in the Wild River Wilderness, the Moriah Brook trail follows a mountain stream from its source high …
Read More »Great Hikes: Franconia Ridge Traverse
The Franconia Ridge Traverse is one of the most magnificent hikes in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and one that I never get tired of hiking. Located in Franconia Notch, the route involves climbing four 4000 footers: Mt Flume (4328′), Mt Liberty (4459′), …
Read More »Hiking Mt Lincoln and Mt Lafayette in July
Hiking Mt Lincoln and Mt Lafayette along the Franconia Ridge Trail is one of the best hikes in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and one that I never get tired of hiking since the views are tremendous on a clear day. While we …
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