JACKSON via WEBSTER CLIFF TRAIL
June 17, 2017
Moderately Strenuous, 9.4 mi.
The cliffs of Mount Webster tower over Crawford Notch and hide the Presidentials behind them. After 2 miles of strenuous hiking, we reach the top of the cliffs and from here we have amazing views straight down into Crawford notch and later, from the top of Mount Jackson, of all the Presidentials beyond. For AT hikers, this is their first view of the crown jewels of the Whites, for us, it is another glimpse of the beauty in our own backyards. This is a moderately strenuous hike.
Cost $125
CLOSED
INTRO TO HIKING/ HIKING SKILLS 1
July 8 - Beginner \ Family Friendly Distance will depend
Something new this year, we are offering an Introduction to Hiking and Hiking Skills Class/Hike in Southern New Hampshire at Pawtuckaway State Park.
We will go over basic equipment, how to pack a pack, pack fitting, efficient hiking and bio-mechanics, how to use poles to help ascend and how to use poles to unload your knees during descent. Through the hike we will discuss good hiking form and practice as well as individual and group safety.
This hike is designed for anyone who has the desire to get out and explore the great outdoors, but doesn't know how to get started. By offering this in Southern NH, we are giving folks an opportunity to try hiking out locally before going up to the White Mountains.
Cost $50.00
CLOSED
MOUNT GARFIELD
September 3 - Moderate, 10 mi.
Mount Garfield offers good views from the summit (where an old fire tower once stood) of Owls Head, the back side of the Franconia Ridge, the Bonds and the Pemigewasset Wilderness. We hike in along a fairly easy approach that gains elevation through switchbacks towards the end. This is an out and back hike, ten miles in length with a couple of easy water crossing along the way.
Cost $100
OPEN BOOK NOW
CARRIGAN FOLIAGE HIKE
September 30 - Moderate, 10 mi.
One of my favorite hikes, the 360 degree views from the top of Mount Carrigan are one of the finest in the Whites. With views of almost all of the 48 - 4000 footers, one can spend a long time at the top picking out their favorite summits.
We do this hike at the peak of Folliage season to capture all the beauty of the season as the trees erupt in riotous color.
Cost - $100
CLOSED
13 FALLS DOUBLE OVERNIGHT
October 7-9 - Moderate, 7.9 mi. ea. way
On Columbus Day weekend, we will hike into the Pemigewasset Wilderness to 13 Falls campsite, located at the old logging camp 13. This hike is a foliage hike and we will take our time walking beside the east branch of the Pemigewasset River and then up into the meandering brooks of the valley floor. We will make camp at the campsite with hardened tent sites, and spend the night there exploring the myriad of waterfalls, pools and eddies.
The following day, we will take the hike up to Mount Garfield, with the option of going over to Mt. Galehead as well. We will return back to the campsite for an evening back at camp.
On Monday, we will spend the morning exploring the falls and after lunch wander back through the Pemigewasset Wilderness on the western side of Owl’s Head along the Lincoln Brook Trail, stopping, if there is an interest by the group, to climb Owl's Head Mountain.
During the evenings we will talk about backwoods ethics and good campsite hygiene as well as tips and tricks for spending multiple nights on the trail.
Cost - $300, includes meals, and shelter in tent
CLOSED
FRANCONIA RIDGE TRAVERSE
May 25 - Strenuous, 15.6 mi
This is a single day traverse from Lincoln Woods, up Mount Flume, and then across Mount Liberty, Little Haystack, Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette. The Franconia Ridge is one of the most popular hiking areas in the Whites, but few do the entire ridge, and even fewer do it in a single day. Once past Lafayette, we descend to the north end of Franconia Notch tired but smiling.
Because of the length of this hike, and because there are no water stops along the way and hikers must carry a full day's supply with them, this is a strenuous hike and is suited only for the most fit of hikers.
Cost- $75
Please join us next year for this hike
PIERCE
January 25th - Moderate, 6.0 miles
We will be hiking up the gradual but continuous slope of Mount Pierce. This trail goes beside Gibbs Brook for part of the way, where we will look down on the frozen cataracts and falls. It then crosses an area that often fills with deep swales (which are always fun) and then turns the corner to the short finish that leads to the summit of Pierce. From the top of Pierce, if the weather is clear, we can look north and see the entire Presidential range up to Washington. It’s a great view and a nice reward after a beautiful but steady hike.
This is a great winter hike for those just cutting their teeth on the winter hiking experience and while we have marked it as moderate, that is only because of the winter conditions and not because of the incline or difficulty of the hike itself.
Cost - $75
Franconia Falls, Cross Country Ski
6.0 miles- Beginner
On February 1, we will cross county ski 3 miles up to Franconia Falls from the parking area at Lincoln Woods. Our trail will take us on an old logging railroad bed beside the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River. When we reach the intersection with Lincoln Brook, we will take off our skis and hike the short 1/4 mi. distance to the falls itself which should be very pretty in all its frozen glory. After enjoying the scenery, we will put our cross country skis back on and return the three miles to the parking area.
This trip is designed for those who are new to backcountry skiing, want to get out and experience the woods in the winter on skis, and do it safely and with a coach/instructor.
COST - $50
Mount Carrigan; 360 degrees of winter wonderland
February 15 - Difficult, 15 mi.
One of my favorite hikes, the 360 degree views from the top of Mount Carrigan provide some of the finest in the Whites. With views of 43 of the 48 - 4000 footers, one can spend a long time on the tower at the top picking out favorites. This will be a great hike!
We make this even more special by doing it in the deep down of winter. This is long for a winter hike, so you should be fit, but the trek will be rewarded with spectacular views! Snowshoes and poles are required and you should contact Charlie for other recommended equipment.
Cost - $75
Cannon on Sadie Hawkins Day
February 29 - Moderate, 5.6 mi
That’s right ladies, on Sadie Hawkins Day of 2020, we will be hiking to the top of Cannon Mountain from the Franconia Notch side. We will hike up the High Cannon trail which will provide us nice views down into the notch as we climb. What better place to ask the guy you like to marry you than from a spectacular lookout on the edge of Franconia Notch. This is a good hike with good views and offers us a nice break at the top where we can jump into the ski lodge with all the skiers and boast of climbing what they ascended by ski lift. We will lunch there, take in the views, then descend to our starting spot by way of Lonesome Lake. This is a great hike with great and different views all day long.
Cost - $75
Winter adventures
Mixed degrees of difficulty
We will have a number of mountaineering, hiking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing excursions this winter, but because many trips will be dependent upon weather and trail conditions, we will not be posting the adventures too far in advance. Please use the link below to put yourself on the email list and we will send you notifications when new trips are posted. You may also check back frequently for these specific adventures
See you in the snow!
Winter Hikes
We will be posting our 2021 winter hikes shortly, so stay tuned. Better yet, join our email list so you get notified of those hikes that are posted and the special email blast hikes that pop up unlisted. Do that here.
Most winters we have hikes and adventures for all levels of adventurers, from introductions to winter hiking, introductions to back country skiing or snowshoeing, and then to more advanced hikes for those that are eager, equipped and capable. Winter is a great time to get out!
INTRO TO HIKING FOR FAMILIES, FRANCONIA FALLS
June 12 - Beginner \ Family Friendly 6.0 miles
This is a relatively short, and almost flat, three mile hike to where the Beaver Brook joins the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River. Here, the water sluices over slabs of rock and has carved potholes, slides and pools where people of all ages take turns plunging into the cool pools and eddies. On warm still days, people are not the only ones laying on the warm rock, butterflies sometimes collect in the hundreds to drink by the still clear water and lick up the minerals washed down from the mountains.
This is a great hike for families with children or anyone just getting started with hiking. We will hike out to the Falls where folks can lunch and play in the water, then hike back a few hours later once everyone is refreshed. For those interested, along the way, Charlie will talk about the history of the White Mountains and how the forest was almost completely cut down for logging. This was instrumental to the Weeks Act which paved the way for the development of the National Forest program.
Cost $50 (SPECIAL- $150 for a family of 4)
WHITEFACE via BLUEBERRY LEDGE TRAIL
August 18, 2018
Moderate, 7.2 mi.
At the height of blueberry season, we will climb up the Blueberry Ledge trail to the top of Mount Whiteface. This mountain is in the Sandwich Range and the views are to the south over the lakes region. Despite this being one of NH's 48 4000 footers, this is a nice moderate hike and could be good for families with older kids or teens.
Cost - $100
All done this season- SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
Pemi Loop
August 7 - Extremely Strenuous, 31.0 mi.
The single-day Pemigewasset Loop is one of the longest hikes in the White Mountains and one of the toughest. Book time for completing this hike is over 20 hours, climbing over 9000 feet during the day and submitting 8-4,000 footers along the way. The hike is made up a collection of trails that circle the wilderness and is usually hiked over a period of two or three days, but we will do this as a single day hike.
Hikers will need to complete a number of training hikes with the group and will have to be in top condition for this grueling test of endurance. The trail at times is steep, loose, rocky or all of the above, but that said, the hike will offer some of the best views of beautiful Pemi Wilderness that one could hope to find.
Cost: $100 (includes all training hikes)
MOOSILAUKE BEAVER BROOK
August 7- Strenuous, 7.6 mi.
There are many ways to climb Moosilauke, I think this is the best. Whether you agree or not, you have to admit that this is bey far the prettiest way to the top!
This trail goes up along often challenging ledgey rock beside a beautiful cascade which, if we delights the senses on a number of different levels. The bare summit of Moosilauke is always a treat and we’ll lunch there and enjoy the views before returning the way we climbed.
Cost - $50