Book Review: Eastern Alpine Guide
Have you ever wondered how rime ice forms? Or why krummholz grows the way it does? Can you tell when hoary rock moss has a case of white worm lichen? Did you know Mt. Washington’s Great Gulf is the largest alpine cirque in New England? The major mountains of Maine were once dubbed the Longfellow Mountains? Or that a caribou herd lived on Katahdin until the early 1900s?
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 Cadillac Mountain via the South Ridge Trail in Acadia National Park, Maine
What’s that? You don’t want to drive six hours for a 1,530 foot mountain? Oh, sure, there are plenty of worthy mountains in the Northeast. Many that are bigger, tougher, and (likely) closer. But how many of them are in scenic Acadia National Park? How many of them sport the highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard, and are amongst the first places in the United States to see sunlight? How many of them offer views not only of surrounding mountains, but also of Frenchman’s Bay and its spattering of islands and cruise ships?
Hike the Mt. Tripyramid Trail Loop in the Sandwich Range Wilderness
Mt. Tripyramid, a three-headed mountain monster, kills two peaks off the New Hampshire 48 over 4,000 feet bucket list with one tremendous hike. Just be careful not to break your neck in the process. The gnarly rock slabs on the steep North Slide are a bunny slope for rock climbers, but for anyone accustomed to ascending mountains sans rope and harness, this hike will put hair on your chest and lead in your pencil.
NH Appalachian Trail Hike: The Presidential Range from Mt. Pierce to Mt. Madison
New Hampshire has no shortage of premier hiking destinations, and the Presidential Range from Mt. Webster to Mt. Madison holds the most prized pearls in the state’s peak-bagging sea. Eight summits on the 19-mile Presidential Traverse are on the list of 48 4,000-footers, including the top five to tickle the sky.
Hike Mt. Kearsarge Via the Winslow & Barlow Trail Loop
On paper (aka the map) Mt. Kearsarge in Winslow State Park appears to be an easy, breezy hike perfect for families with young kids. You drive more than halfway up the mountain to reach the trailheads, after all, and there’s a playground adjacent to the parking lot. Don’t count your peaks before their bagged, however, as this hike will test the mettle of little feet (not to mention their parents’ patience).