My Top Five Hikes I want to do this Winter

I have found a hiking buddy for the Winter!

Very excited about doing some snowshoeing and regular hiking

up a few great White Mountains!

But which ones, I would love to hike them all but Winter

goes by just as fast as Summer.

So, I started to read some of my great books on hiking

and check out my maps.

I asked some other great hikers online and 

these are my top five picks that I would 

like to do this year.

1. Mt Lafayette:

I know this is a large mountain, 

but the hike up is very steady and

would be great for snowshoeing up to the hut.

Hope to do this on a nice winter day, when the

weather is fair and temp is about 32 degrees.

In Franconia Notch

2. Mt. Willard:

It is not a large Mt. so I could take my

stepson as well. Plus we could use snowshoes

to get to the top. I heard the view is so wonderful

with snow in the valley. 

Crawford Notch

3. Tuckerman Ravine:

I have done this one before in the Winter and

it's a great hike up. There are also skiers and

snowboards on the trail as well for the trill

of this place! Fun to watch, when

you get closer to the top.

Pinkham Notch

4. Glen Boulder:

My mom has always wanted to

take me to it, so I think

I will hike it this winter.

Pinkham Notch

5. Mt. Chocorua

Everyone has talked about this mountain

and yet I have not hiked it yet. It's not a 4000footer

but it seems like a great winter hike.

Kancamagus Highway

These were other great winter hikes that were written to me by hikers:

"My one and only snow hike was Crawford path to Mizpah Cutoff to the hut. 

It was gorgeous and for a snow hiking beginner not too difficult. 

Grey Jays eating out of our hands - a highlight! A true winter wonderland!"

 "Pierce is a great 1st Winter 4K - protected in the trees until just before the summit 

and a reward of awesome views. But any of the NH48 can be great on any given day 

depending on the weather and conditions."

 "I think Mt Garfield has one of the best winter views."

  "Mount Liberty is a personal favorite. 

Or come stop by the Harvard Cabin for a warm drink and a snack."

" ...spend a night at Zealand Hut and many 4k's are within reach."

Leaf Peeper Season is coming...great places to stay!

This is a great time of year to be hiking up in the White Mountains. The trees are turning colors, the air is cool and there is so much "ah" around! I love this time of year to get outdoors and get hiking, biking and taking walks on the paths. So when you come from other areas of New England or even further away, you might not know the best places to stay at and what are around them. Here are a few great spots that I have enjoyed over the years and places around them you might love to see!

Our first Stop:

Jackson NH : This is a great town to stay in when you are up here in the Whites. There are some beautiful hotels and lodges to stay at such as Inn at Thorn Hill and Spa (which is award winning), Whitney's Inn at Jackson which has been around since 1840's,  Glen Oaks Inn, Inn at Ellis River and much more! When you stay around here there are so many places to hike and see! Pinkham Notch is just a hop down Route 16! There are tons of places to explore in Pinkham Notch, which as Auto Road up to Mt. Washington, Bike Trails at Great Glen Trails, hike up Tuckerman Ravine, visit the Lost Pond, see Glen Ellis Falls, go up Mt. Wildcat (Four Peaks) one is also the ski resort and zipline! There is so much to see on that road!
Plus if you want to head another direction, go over to Crawford Notch on route 302! There are lots of trails to hike, mountains to see lovely views from, stop by & see the Mt. Washington Hotel! So beautiful. Also on this road is the Cog Railway up to Mt. Washington, and two trails if hiking is your style! There is also Bretton Woods is near by!
If you want to head over to North Conway there are some great places to eat and places to shop! When you are in Conway, you are not far from the Kancamagus Highway where you can hike up Mt. Chocorua!
Staying in Jackson is such a great idea for you are in the heart of such a beautiful area for the fall! You will be happy about your stay here!
I say all this because, as a kid, we traveled through these parts all the time, since I didn't live far away and loved it most when it was Fall:) Even as an adult, I travel here with my family to see the leaves through Jackson and around the area!

Our Second stop will be Lincoln NH on the next post!

Top 5 Great Hikes in the White Mountains

After hiking around the White Mountains and having some of my friends how me some of their amazing hikes here. I have come up with some great hikes. These hikes are for those that can stand a long time on their feet and be ready for a grand adventure!

Number 5 Mt. Chocorua
This hike starts on the east side of the Kancamagus Highway. The Trail to start on is the Champney Falls Trail which is 3.6 miles up which you will pass the Champney Falls. You continue near the three sisters still on the Champney Falls Trail until you get to the top of Mt. Chocorua. The mountain is 3475' above sea level. I have heard the view is amazing!

Number 4 Mt. Jackson
This hike starts on Rt 305 in the Crawford Notch near Soca Lake. This is also where the AMC Highland Center is as well. The Trail is called Webster-Jackson Trail because it leads to both mountains. about 1.4 miles up it turns to two trails, one being Jackson Branch. Follow that trail 1.2 miles until you reach the top pf Mt. Jackson. This mountain is 4052' above sea level. Beautiful views, can see Mt. Washington and the Mt. Washington hotel too!

Number 3 Mt. Liberty
This is such a lovely hike. It's in Franconia Notch and you start hiking near the Flumes. You pretty much stay on the same trial much of the way up called Liberty Springs Trail. There is a tenting site and a stop where you can get fresh water on the way up. Then at the top you will connect with Franconia Ridge Trail for .3 miles and then you will see the views! Amazing! I could see all the way around standing in one spot! This mountain is 4328' above sea level.

Number 2 Mt. Madison
If you are looking for a rocky climb, then this is the mountain for you! It starts on Rt2. There is a place to park, always full of cars. Everyone loves hiking here! There are many trails to pick from to climb up or down. Most pick between Air Line and Valley Way. Both will lead you to the AMC Madison Spring Hut from there you hike on the Osgood Trail until you reach the top. It's very windy but lovely views. On the way back down there is a lovely lake near by to see called Star lake. Mt. Madison is 5366' above sea level.

Number 1 Mt. Washington
This has to be my favorite mountain to hike. I can't wait to hike back up it again this year. There are so many ways to get to the top of this mountain. I enjoy taking the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail for it leads to the Lakes of the Clouds Hut. This hut is very nice instead and you get to see the Lake of the Clouds! Then follow up to Crawford Path that leads to the top! Mt. Washington is 6288' above sea level.

Always make sure the weather is good for hiking before you start you hike. Weather changes very quickly when you are up high and without tree coverage. Drink lots of water for you on your adventures and stay safe!
 Happy Hiking!:)