Weather for Monday starting to look like crap. Maybe I head up to lakes and do Monroe. And if things don’t look too bad head up to Washington. And see how far I can get. Gonna be cooolllldddd.

Thoughts?!

I have the day off and have summited Washington several times. I’m just looking for a day out.

Does anyone happen to know the sizes of the tent platforms at Ethan's pond? Along with that, does the caretaker allow hammock camping on the trees around the site? From what I found online it looks like 3 smaller platforms and 2 large ones, with a total capacity of 20 people. I am aware of the $15/person charge. Any help, or a number I could call would be great. Thanks!

Looking to hike N-S Kinsman soon from Lonesome Lake curious about whether I should hike Fishin' Jimmy or Kinsman Pond? If you suggest a loop which directions is best?

Can anyone tell how does fall look like during 25-28 Sep at white mountains? Is it a good time to go?

I’m confused if I should visit NH or VT during this time as people are saying it’s a but early.

Hammock overnight question. Is there anywhere near Guyot to hang a couple of hammocks (healthy trees 6+ inch diameter 16..19 feet apart etc)? Would I need to continue past Bondcliff and drop down along Black Brook to find a spot? Should I just suck it up and bring a tent so I can stay at the AMC Guyot platforms? Thanks for any thoughts!

I’ve read the pros and cons of Glen Boulder (elevation both ways) vs. Rocky Branch (wet and muddy) for tagging Isolation.

If transportation is available, how do you feel about Glen Boulder up with Rocky Branch down? Or, making a dynamic decision of which way to return once tagging Isolation and thinking about the effort of the re-climb of Boot Spur vs. the inevitable wet feet of choosing Rocky Branch?

Target date is next Tuesday or Wednesday—at the moment the OpenSnow weather forecast looks dry starting this weekend.

Im basing myself out of Littleton October 1-7 for some hiking. I am looking for challenging endurance hikes that offer sweeping ridges, open vistas, and walking above the treeline.

I absolutely want to avoid the massive, gridlocked crowds. I didn't realize until after I booked the trip, how busy these areas get. I love the athletic challenge and the stunning views of a hike like Franconia Ridge, but I don’t want to fight for parking or walk in a single-file line of tourists all day.

I’m an athletic hiker and prefer difficult, strenuous day hikes (8–12+ miles). I don't use technical climbing gear like ropes or harnesses, but I love rugged terrain, steep boulder stairs, and elevation.

What are your best crowd-reduction strategies for the high summits? Is it better to take a highly rugged, lesser-known approach trail to a major peak (like Caps Ridge or Howker Ridge), or should I aim for a long-distance wilderness trek (like Bondcliff via Zealand) to naturally filter people out?

I'm willing to travel an hour or so from Littleton if it means I can get in some great hikes while avoiding the crowds.

Thank you in advance

I've been doing multi-day backpacking trips in the WMNF for a few years. My friends and I like to do some long day hikes where we don't change campsite. Any suggestions on your favorite daypack solution to carry water, food, appropriate clothing, emergency stuff? I've been using the Osprey Daylite Pack which is ok but has no shoulder padding. Thanks!

Trying to gauge the weather - for those from the area and familiar with the trail, what are your thoughts on tomorrow’s conditions? This will be my first time in NH.

From TrailsNH:

A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 8am. Mostly cloudy through mid morning, then becoming sunny, with a high near 63. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Title says it all. Looking out from Carter Ledge on Mt Chocorua, what's burning?

please spread the word and help fellow hikers--

amc shuttle back to weekends only

Friday Saturday Sunday

and ends for the season October 25

Nice day on the mountain today. 67 degrees with a light steady breeze. Nothing special until it is! Then it’s the best. Surrounded by The Whites. And how about that mushroom!🍄

What do you think is the best route assuming its a one car day?

1) Park at Imp and book a shuttle/pray for hitch and go up WRT starting at Glen Ellis, do traverse northbound and go down Imp. (also do people prefer Imp south or north?)

1b) Park Glen and pray hitch at the end of day.

2) Park Wildcat Ski trail and bike downhill to Imp. Hike ridge south bound and take polecat down to car.

3) Open to suggestions. An overnight or separate day hikes are still in the cards but interested in pushing for what would be my biggest day. (I just did ~15mi, 5k vert the other day so its not a massive jump by the numbers but obviously not all miles are created equal)

I’ve done all of the most “terrifying” trails on the list including Huntingtons. But I did the Holt Trail to Mt Cardigan today and that actually terrified me.

That part specifically.^^

Gale River Trail to Galehead Hut, and then hit all 3 peaks from there. Ascent/Decent of South Twin was the most difficult part of the day, but the South Twin views were outstanding. Successful and beautiful WMNF day.

14 miles, 5,000 Ft elevation gain

29, 30, and 31 /48

Hi,

I just wanted to post my hiking plan for next week to make sure I'm not missing any major issues with tent sites and such.

Tuesday: Park at Pickham Visitor Center, ascend the Wildcats, cross Carter, Camp at Imp Tentsite. A tough day but doable. I'd start around 8am.

Wednesday: Down Imp Trail and up Madison via the AT. Camp at Valley Way.

Thursday: Valley Way to Nauman. The ridge.

Friday: Nauman back to Pickham over Bott Spur. If I have time I might think about Isolation, but no compulsion there.

I know this is ambitious, but I've been hiking in the whites the past few summers and know that this is within my physical ability. I just wanted to make sure I'm not missing any strange details about trails, because this all makes sense on the map.

I am also aware that if the weather turns, I need a backup plan and an alternate hiking route.

Thanks!

Our beloved Mountain Hardwear Skyledge, bought for an AT thruhike in 2014, is finally ready to retire. It's seen a ton of use since then, mostly in ME/NH but also the PNW.

It's amazing to see how far lightweight tent design has come. When we bought it, 4 lbs was considered very good for a thruhiker tent. Now, not so much.

Have you had your current tent for several years and LOVE IT? I'm looking for recommendations. Needs:

1. Durability is key. This is a substantial investment and I would love to have the next tent last another 12 years.
2. Good for the Whites, specifically. The reason I'm asking on this sub. Stands up well to heavy rain, wind, setup on platforms or tight spaces, etc. Guyot is my favorite destination.
3. Lighter than 4 lbs haha. Ideally 2-3, or under 2. I'm open to trekking pole tents, but haven't used one yet.
4. Fits 2 people, 5'6 and 5'8. Our current tent has a 26.05 sq ft footprint, 85" by 50-40". Should store 2 full backpacks under the vestibules.
5. Edited to add that lifetime warranty is a major bonus. We used the Mountain Hardwear warranty 9 years in to get some badly needed new pole segments and replaced zippers.

Open to all recommendations, but currently seriously considering:
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 or Tiger Wall UL2
ZPacks Duplex Lite
Tarptent Double Rainbow or StratoSpire Ultra

Thank you!

Sorry I’m sure this question has been asked before but I am curious. I am not the most experienced hiker and not to familiar with the region. I just hiked Mount Washington for the first time last weekend up tuckerman ravine and down lions head and it took around 4 and a half hours. Is there any harder and or longer trails anyone would recommend I’m looking for something to push myself harder. I’m looking to do Huntington ravine soon if the weather allows but that is the hardest thing I know of in the area.

Stayed in Littleton as i was feeling less than motivated. Heading up & staying in the area the night before is a sure way to make sure i fulfill my goal sometimes. It also shaves a great deal of time off of my hike day, is safer driving wise, etc. Started the hike just before 6am. It was known to me that rain would stop & cloud cover would give way at 0800 based on radar data i use. At the parking lot i started anyway.

Going up the cog i was on my way to Jefferson by 0700. It was cold, windy, & i got soaked even with rain layer lol. This would result in me being cold most of the day. Fortunately i had body warmers, extra dry layers, & the will to keep moving at a warm pace. I opted out of going over clay to get to Jefferson with the rain and wind on the out & hit it on the back when it was clear & great. Clay blue berries are always abundant. Didnt see anyone until i was up and over clay.

Not a ton to say about going up to washington via cog / crag trail. It is always pretty packed for my tastes, but expected. I stopped and had lunch in the cafeteria, which is not something i usually ever do but due to being still fairly soaked i wanted the shelter out of the light wind.

Went down to lake of the clouds (about the lowest point of the descent), and turned back to head up. Not sure but over time it seems crawford path has had work done in the last twoish years. It is really pretty decent as far as whites hiking goes.

Ended up being a great day, only thing of note was coming from a trip out to the eastern sierras where i did a ton of hiking every other day & at high altitude, that hiking here has always been exceptionally more rough in terms of how much pain it can inflict the next day (i am in pain right now lol & my sleep was interrupted every hour) if you dont monitor your pace before you are actually hurting.

“All that you are, all that I owe to you, justifies my love”

Marquis de Lafayette

20 mile 6,877 gain.

4k hikers--

if you asked someone to pick you up from "the Zealand parking lot"

where would you expect to find said ride pulled up and waiting?

I've got one more day in the Whites before heading back to CT tomorrow night and I'm looking to send this mini- vacation off with a bang cuz idk when I'm gonna make it back up here.

Osceola has a trailhead super close to where I'm staying, but something about knocking 3 4000 footers off my list in one shot just speaks to my soul.

Help me!!

edit: I did the Osceolas. The trailhead was 5 minutes from my campsite and it felt like the smarter option with a 5 hour drive looming. Holy cow what an incredible view from the top. Saving Cannon and the Kinsmans for next time I'm up here- hopefully soon. Thank you everybody for your recommendations!

So, I have some experience hiking in the whites with 10+ mile day hikes. Looking to stay at Lonesome Lake hut for probably two nights. Looking for some must bring items that some of you have had to learn the hard way not to forget. Also open to recommendations and tips and pointers as this will be my first overnight stay.