The Single-Day Pemi Loop: Secrets for Success
Over the last 10 years, the Pemi Loop has grown in popularity with hikers of all ability levels. It logs more mileage and vertical climbing than the Presidential Traverse, and leads you across some of the White Mountain's most celebrated stretches of trail: Franconia Ridge, Garfield Ridge, and Bondcliff....
12 Scenic Hikes Within 30 Minutes of the Notch Hostel
Deciding what to hike when visiting the White Mountains can be a difficult decision. There are so many excellent choices. Here are some of our favorite hikes near the Notch Hostel, ranging from easy walking trails to strenuous multi-day hikes. Easy Hikes Lincoln Woods: Length: Flat 2.9-mile long walking...
Spring Presidential Traverse
On the morning of Wednesday April 17th, Notch Hostel regular John Pike and myself ventured into the White Mountain’s Presidential Range with the intention of completing a full traverse from Mount Madison to Mount Pierce. This traverse in particular felt very special to me, as it marked my 9th...
Moosilauke – 2019-03-03
Destination: Moosilauke Trails: Glencliff Trail (AT) Hike Date: 2019-03-03 Conditions: Trail was well-packed, some loose powdery snow on top of the pack above treeline. Equipment: Barebooted the whole way. Comments: No winds and sunny skies made for a fun 45 minute summit hang and photoshoot. Thanks @groundbird_gear for...
Tripyramids via The Slides
Date of Hike: Friday, February 4th, 2019. Trail Conditions: Packed snow, unconsolidated snow, heavy drifted powder. Special Equipment Required: Microspikes, snowshoes. Comments: We departed Tripoli Road in Waterville Valley mid-morning and found easy walking along the hard-packed ski trails on Livermore Road. Our plan for the day was to...
Mount Cannon via Lonesome Lake
Date of Hike: Tuesday, January 22th 2019. Trail Conditions: Unbroken snow. Deep drifted powder. Special Equipment Required: Snowshoes. Comments: Departed Lafayette Campground at 12:00PM this afternoon and followed the Lonesome Lake Trail up to Lonesome Lake. The initial 1.1 mile section was hard packed and easy to bare-boot. After...
Mount Carrigain via Signal Ridge
Title: Mount Carrigain via Signal Ridge. Date of Hike: Thursday, January 17th 2019. Trail Conditions: Unbroken snow, Drifted powder. Special Equipment Required: Snowshoes, Microspikes. Comments: The two mile road walk along Sawyer River Road was packed well with snowmobile traffic. Signal Ridge Trail showed signs of previous travel, but...
East Peak, Osceola
Title: East Peak, Osceola. Date of Hike: Sunday, January 13th 2019. Trail Conditions: Packed snow, Deep drifted powder. Special Equipment Required: Microspikes, Crampons, Snowshoes. Comments: Greenley Pond and Mount Osceola Trails were packed well and solid enough for spikes all the way up to East Osceola Peak. Crampons wouldn’t...
Tom, Field, Willey Loop
Avalon Trail had hard-packed snow all the way to Mount Field, with various sections of shin-deep powder. Willey Range Trail out to Mount Willey was choppy, with knee-deep drifted powder worthy of snowshoes. The crossing between Field and Mount Tom Spur was equally choppy, though drifts were far less...
Hike Anyway! Plus eight other rainy day things to do in the White Mountains.
We’ve all been there — after weeks of looking forward to your planned escape to the White Mountains, the weather app refuses to budge from its 90% chance of rain forecast. It’s too late to cancel reservations and you’ve already lined up the plant sitter. You pack rain gear...