Winter Hike the Bondcliff Trail
Let’s see if this makes sense: there’s no truly difficult part of climbing Bondcliff in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and the Pemigewasset Wilderness. The first 50 percent of the hike covering the Lincoln Woods Trail and Wilderness Trail is all flat, heavily traveled ground. Yes, there are a few steep sections on the Bondcliff Trail—show me a 4,000-foot mountain in the Northeast that doesn’t have some serious ups—but even these are quite forgiving by White Mountains’ standards.
Winter Hike Cannon Mountain & North Kinsman
Cannon Mountain, North Kinsman, and the Lonesome Lake area are widely popular amongst casual and serious hikers in all seasons. On a good-weather day, all it takes is one glance from a scenic vista looking over Franconia Notch at Mt. Lafayette and Franconia Ridge to see why. Of course, the trailhead location amid Lafayette Campground with its own I-93 exit is also a contributing factor.
Winter Hike Saddleback Mountain and The Horn
Hikers are able to reach the Saddleback Mountain summit, elevation 4,120 feet, in winter via the Saddleback Maine ski resort. Continue along the Appalachian Trail to The Horn, 4,041 feet, for a challenging 7-mile hike.
Winter Hike Mt. Madison & Mt. Adams Via the Valley Way Trail
Valley Way is the access route to Mt. Madison and Mt. Adams most travelled by, and for winter hiking that makes all the difference. The easiest and most direct route to Madison Hut, hikers come one and all for day hikes to the aforementioned summits, overnights at the Valley Way Campsite or above treeline (winter only), to venture into the Great Gulf for ice climbing, or to begin treks across the Presidential Range.
Winter Hike Mt. Moosilauke Via the Appalachian Trail and Glencliff Trail
A fresh coat of snow, drizzled in hues of blue from the early morning light, blanketed the Mt. Moosilauke field. The snow was broken only by a classical cross country ski track showing the way. To the west, through the towering trees, the hills were awash in sunlight, fulfilling the promise of a rare cloudless day. The ascent of Mt. Moosilauke via the Glencliff Trail (also the Appalachian Trail) was just beginning, and already it was hard not to love this idyllic winter hike.
Winter Hike Mt. Pierce Via the Historic Crawford Path
Looking for an ideal winter hike to break-in the snow trail legs? Or perhaps you’re a casual hiker interested in bagging a (relatively) easy winter peak? Then again, maybe you just want a trail teeming with scenic charm for a little natural healing? If your head is nodding with any of these, then Mt. Pierce—the mountain formerly known as Mt. Clinton—via the historic Crawford Path, is the ticket.