Three of my favorite trails in the White Mountains

I love hiking. When I get the chance, I'll hike in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Every year, when I hike, I find that there are some trails I enjoy hiking more than others. I have seen the views and look forward to seeing them again. I few trails in the White Mountains I have to visit all the time, each year, to get what I call "My fix". When I see the views, I almost go into a calming state and can just stare for hours without moving. Some of the views on these trails, make me feel like I am in some sort of Lord of the Rings Movie, I can see beautiful mountains that stretch on for miles. These three trails seem to always give me a feeling of leaving this world and being place in another. If you would like to trail on these trails, here they are:

1. The Air Line Trail: the journey up this trail is always exciting for me. It starts on Route 16, you can see a huge parking lot on one side that is normally full of cars. There are other trails that start at the same spot, but I always go up Air Line. I first hiked the trail back in 2004 and since then has visited it again over the years. I love when I get to the sign for the Alpine Zone. My heart starts beating faster because I know how amazing the views are up there. The trail rings around to the Mt. Madison Spring Hut and I seem to just take my time, I enjoy each step and stop to see all the views. this was the first time I felt like I was in Narnia or the Rings Movie. I was exploring a new world and meeting wonderful people along my way. Start of the Air Line trail to the Air Line Cutoff is 3.5 miles. It's worth the hike!

One of the first views you see when hiking up the trail

The mountain range

2. Another of my favorite trail to hike on is the Crawford Path. It doesn't seem to almost matter where on the Path I am, I just can't stop staring at the views. I really live the Path when I get close to Mt. Washington. You are so high up and you can see views from almost all sides. When I get closer to the top of Mt. Washington, I find myself turning around and taking pictures. My friends who hike with me say that it drives them crazy, for I am always stopping to see the views, but I can't help it! I am always in some sort of trance. So, as you are hiking from the Lake of the Clouds to the top of Mt. Washington, take a good look around, stop and breath in that wonderful mountain air, and enjoy the sights around you. I have to say, that is my most favorite part of the trail, which is 1.4 miles long.

On the Crawford path, looking back and seeing the lakes, mountains and hut.

3. I love hiking in Franconia Notch area. I have hiked just about all the mountains, but I got excited when my friend ask me last year to hike the Franconia Ridge. From Mt .Lafayette to Little Haystack we hiked the Franconia Ridge Trail which is 1.6 miles long. We had to make so many stops along the way for I needed pictures. My camera never seen so much use. Both sides the trail had great views but I loved the side that had no Parkway (highway 93). I loved the side where you could see the mountains stretch on for miles and miles.  If you ever have the chance to hike on this Ridge, it's worth all the views!

The view of the Parkway Valley

A view of the Ridge Trail and the mountains in the background

Now, I have many other wonderful trails that I love to hike and enjoy the views, these just happen to be my favorite so far. My adventures in the White Mountains are endless and every time I hike up, its a new experience. What are some of your favorite trails?

Happy Hiking!

Great Autumn Loop in Franconia Notch

One Great Loop to hike in the White Mountains is the Franconia Ridge.  It is a great day hike that takes about nine hours or so to do. The start is at Lafayette Place Parking. Hike up .2 to a two way path, one being Falling Waters Trail and one being Old Bridle Path. Doesn't matter which way you decide to hike, there are so many wonderful great views. You will also then hike along the Franconia Ridge Trail and view landscapes from three different mountains. The loop is 8.8 miles and worth every step! 

What you will see along this great hike:

• Stairs Falls
• Swiftwater Falls
• Cloudland Falls
• Shining Rock
• Little Haystack
• Mt. Lincoln
• Mt. Lafayette
• Echo Lake
• Greenleaf AMC Hut
• Walker Cascades 
• and many amazing views along Old Bridle Path

During Autumn the leaves are changing colors and the air is cool. You will see many views along the Ridge were the colors are beautiful. If you get a chance this fall to hike a wonderful loop, take this adventure in Franconia Notch! 

Hiking along the Franconia Ridge

Greenleaf AMC Hut

 Happy Hiking :)

Speechless Wednesday..Mt. Lincoln

Speechless Wednesday ... Mt. Lincoln

I know its Tuesday but I will be very busy tomorrow so 

wanted to up these pics up now!

I will be honest, I wasn't sure when I was really on Mt. Lincoln, 

It's located between Mt. Lafayette and Little Haystack but there is no

sign that lets you know that you are on it! So, we noticed looking back as

we walked the Franconia Ridge that we were on Mt. Lincoln! 

 climbing around :)

 Mt. Lincoln from the Franconia Ridge Trail

Mt. Lincoln from Little Haystack

Happy Hiking:)

Franconia Ridge: Mt. Lafayette Part 2

Mt. Lafayette Part 2

So, I ended with reaching Greenleaf Hut. 

It was a very nice hut, there were other hikers around and inside the hut. 

Most of the hikers showed up as we were leaving so I am sure it was 

even more crowded inside and around.

Here is a pictures of the Greenleaf Hut:

Remember that if you want to stay at the hut

you need to make reservations ahead of time!

 Here is the Hut before it got to crowded (morning)

Inside the Hut when we arrived there for a snack break and relax.

After we were down eating our snacks and resting, 

we got up and headed out. We started on the Greenleaf Trail.

This trail takes you to Mt. Lafayette. It is 1.1 miles. 

The trail is rocky, no trees and views all the way up!

It is very windy once above treeline so you need 

a jacket/windbreaker to keep warm.

Here are a few pics of the trail up:

This was taken about half way up the trail...

...and as we were going up, many hikers were coming down. 

It was close to 1:30 when we reached the top of Mt. Lafayette.

When we reached the top, there is a trail sign.

There were still many hikers out, talked with a few.

I enjoy meeting new people along my travels.

I love the markers. I always have to take pictures of them.

This one is on top of Mt. Lafayette.

We then eat again, and sat where it wasn't windy.

It was great just looking at the views of the mountains

around us. I always have a hard time leaving when I

get on top of mountain. But I was excited to hike the Ridge.

So, then we headed out again along the Franconia Ridge, 

here is a picture of me with Mt. Lafayette behind me!

Happy Hiking:)

Next part will be the Franconia Ridge and Mt. Lincoln

Speechless Wednesday - Mt. Lafayette

Speechless Wednesday - Mt. Lafayette

This is a view of Mt. Lafayette after we had passed it on our way over the Franconia Ridge

Happy Hiking :)

The Franconia Ridge -BucketList- crossed off Part1

The Franconia Ridge

I have always wanted to hike the Ridge for years. I think my first hike up one of the mountains (Little Haystack) back in 2004 and saw the ridge. From then on, I wanted to hike across this beautiful ridge, but I didn't want to go alone. This year I made friends with someone who wanted to hike this Ridge as well, and we had planned for a month now that we were going to hike this ridge before winter set in. On Oct. 10th, we we set to this adventure in the white mountains. I was so excited that I missed Lafayette Place parking, I had to go all the way around to try again, this time not missing the turn. 

We headed up a path that lead to this sign:

This sign is at the head of the Trail we started up .2miles which then splits by a small bridge. We went up the Old Bridle Path to get to GreenLeaf Hut. GreenLeaf Hut was 2.7 miles after the split near a small bridge.

Heading up the Old Bridge Path was easy at the start for about a mile or so, then after you make the corner near the Walker Cascades it starts to become a steeper hike. Though I would say that I found this trail to be a nice trail to hike up, very open and not rocky. After another .7 miles is when we could start seeing views. There were many stops along the way to the Hut where we found ourselves stopping and taking pictures. Here are a few of those pictures:

 Our first view on the Trail...I loved seeing the clouds roll over the mountains

 I had to take a picture of the Ridge we were going up,
the green arrow is the way

we are going to get to the Hut

 The view of Cannon Mountain (Cliff) from the Trail

I love this picture. This group was always near us along our adventure.

We called them the sixteen candles,
for the group had sixteen people and theblasted through the trails.
What a great view to stop and take a break at though:)

After trailing the Old Bridle Path for more then two hours, we came upon the GreenLeaf Hut. It was near a lake called Eagle Lake. This is the hut as we came upon it:

Happy Hiking

Next Blog: The GreenLeaf Hut, Greenleaf Trail and Mt. Lafayette

Speechless Wednesday Pics

Speechless Wednesday

I enjoy showing my pics and looking back at my hikes this past summer,

I have so many speechless views, that today,
I want to share a few with everyone.

I love hiking in the White Mountains, when I am high in the mountains,
I feel like I have felt earth and adventured into a new world. 

Here are some pics of the World I found myself loving this summer:

 Sitting back on Mt. Madison, looking over at Mt. Washington

 Looking back at the Path I just walked and seeing this view

I love this PICTURE!

Taking this picture of Franconia Ridge when I got to

the top of Little Haystack

Happy Hiking Everyone:)

Mt. Liberty on a beautiful Sunny Day

Mt. Liberty in Franconia Notch

I love spending time hiking in Franconia Notch. I love all the views from every mountain top. When we hiked up Mount Liberty it was a beautiful sunny day. There were prefect views all around us. I had to take pictures though there is nothing like seeing the views with your own eyes. If you are ever up in this part of the White Mountains, you have got to hike up Mt. Liberty. Some people make it a whole day trip and do Mt. Flumes as well. I am hoping to do both at once next year when I stay at the Tent site up near Mt. Liberty. If you want to learn more about the tent site, it was two posts before this one. Mt. Liberty is a 4000footer, 4459 feet. The best Trail to use when hiking up would be the Liberty Springs Trail. The Flume Slide Trail can be very muddy making it very slippery. Be careful when on that trail! You can also reach Mt. Liberty by going across the Franconia Ridge Trail which hits five main mountains in Franconia Notch.

Here are some of my wonderful pictures:

Here is Mt. Liberty 4459 feet 

Hiking this mountain in Sept. was great for there are few hikers out, 

so the mountain almost feels like its yours.

 My friend up the trail with my dog Stitch. This was also

stitch's first hike up a 4000 footer and he loved it!

Stitch and I look every small from where my friend took this picture. 

We are near the very top of Mt. Liberty and could see all the way around. It was awesome!

 This is a picture of Mt. Flume from Mt. Liberty

This picture is of Mt. Cannon, you can see the clouds rolling over it.

Here is where you can hop on the Franconia Ridge Trail and head over to 

Little Haystack, Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Lafayette!

Over all I loved this hike and hoping to do it again next year but this time stay over night up in the mountains!

Happy Hiking!

PS...On This hike we made friends with a guy from Conn. He drove up just to do some hiking, staying and then leaving the next day.  He hiked all over and seemed to know everything about the Whites. He talked about his ex-wife, his new girlfriend he meet on a Hiking dating site, his dog he had for five years, a cat that was really not his, but he ended up paying money to put to sleep, that he was the youngest, had older sisters, and he enjoyed a beer after a hike..the only thing I never got was his name! lol ...Thanks for hanging with us on our hike, it was great meeting you (No Name) :) 

ALWAYS ENJOY MEETING NEW HIKERS ALONG ANY OF MY HIKES!:)

Dream Hike in the Franconia Notch

The Franconia Ridge Trail

My dream hike would be in the Franconia Notch. It would start at the Flumes, where I would hike up the Flume Slide Trail over to Mt. Flume, then head over to Mt. Liberty. After them, I would walk along the Franconia Ridge Trail. This picture above is of the Trail that runs along five amazing mountains in Franconia Notch. Then I would head over to Little Haystack, then Mt. Lincoln, with a final stop at Mt. Lafayette. This would take all day so then we would stay over night at the Greenleaf AMC Hut. I have always wanted to stay there. The next day we would travel down the Old Bridge Path, over the Parkway, to Lonesome Lake Trail, where we would go up to Lonesome Lake, then head down the Cascade Brook Trail to where we would be very close to the Flumes. That would be an awesome hike trip! Maybe one day, I'll get the chance to do it!

On Little Haystack with Mt. Lincoln behind us

Amazing views from up on top of the Ridge!

The views from Lonesome Lake

Very popular spot for hikers

Happy Hiking:)

View from Little Haystack at Franconia Notch

The View from Little Haystack in Franconia Notch

This is the view from on top of Little Haystack!

Very happy it was such a nice day.

There was also a nice breeze on top as well!

The trail Fanconia Ridge Trail over to Mt. Lincoln

Many hikers were out and enjoying the beautiful weather!

This is a picture of Mt. Lincoln with my friend and I in front of it. 

It's only 0.7 miles over to Mt. Lincoln from Little Haystack

THis is the sign that you will see at the beginning of the trail at 

Lafayette Place at the base. It tells you about the trails that

leads up to Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Lincoln and Little Haystack

Happy Hiking!