Hike Mt. Flume via the Osseo Trail in the Pemigewasset Wilderness
The Osseo Trail ascent of Mt. Flume has to rank as one of the “easier” 4,000-foot climbs in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Practically serving as a boundary marker between the Pemigewasset Wilderness and Franconia Notch State Park, it packs plenty of scenery to boot. All of which makes it a great option for casual hikers wanting to bag a 4,000-foot peak, or as a starter mountain for those eager to collect all 48.
Hike Goose Eye Mountain Via the Wright Trail in Maine’s Mahoosuc Range
As one of the AMC’s red lines, the Wright Trail is by no means a secret. Given that I completed it on a cloudless Saturday morning in June after a week of rain and only saw four other people, it certainly passes for a hidden gem. Listed in the White Mountain Guide as a loop trail, the North Branch now appears to be closed. Don’t let this scare you away, though. The long parallel with Goose Eye Brook and eye-popping scenery of Goose Eye Mountain and the Mahoosuc Range make it a great getaway.
Hike Mt. Garfield via the Garfield Trail
On paper the Garfield Trail looks to be a daunting challenge: a five-mile, 3,000-foot climb in the White Mountains to the summit of 4,500-foot Mt. Garfield. In reality, compared to neighboring hikes such as the Liberty Springs Trail, Falling Waters Trail and Old Bridle Path, it’s a walk in the White Mountains National Forest park.
Hike Mt. Washington Via the Tuckerman Ravine Trail
If you’re looking to boldly hike where no explorer has gone before, this trail isn’t for you. On the contrary, Mt. Washington is a major New Hampshire tourist destination, and the Tuckerman Ravine Trail is the White Mountains’ version of hiking Disneyland. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t do it. Quite the opposite, in fact. Consider it required reading for hiking.
Hike Mt. Liberty Via the Liberty Springs Trail in Franconia Notch, NH
8.6ish miles round trip
4-6 hours
Difficulty: Weekend Warriors; equivalent to five hours on a stair master
Winter Hike the Old Speck Trail in Grafton Notch State Park, Maine
The Old Speck Trail in Grafton Notch State Park is a near-perfect hike for intermediate hikers. Ascending Maine’s third highest mountain (fourth highest peak) at 4,180 feet, the trail itself has 2,700 feet of elevation gain featuring stop-and-stare scenery with steep climbs that will get your heart pumping and intermittent plateaus to catch your breath. In the winter, at the tail end of a three-snowstorm week, the morning after one of the storms, it’s a little more difficult. Interpretation of the word “little” is really something everyone has to judge for themselves—a key piece of information I may have left out of the sales pitch to my wife.