Start/End: Crawford Notch, Rt. 302

Peaks: Pierce (4,310'), Eisenhower (4,780'), "Franklin" (4,974')

Elevation Gain: 3,945 ft

RT Mileage: 11.19 mi

Duration: 7 hours, 36 minutes

Snow/Ice Difficulty: Grade I

For my first winter hike of the season, I decided to start off strong and complete at least a few peaks in the southern Presidentials. My plan was to do an out-and-back hike of Crawford Path, going as far as possible before returning. I initially intended to continue ascending until Mt. Monroe, but was unfortunately cut short by bad weather. Read more... 

Start/End: Roaring Brook Campground

Peaks: Baxter (5,267')

Elevation Gain: 3,850 ft

RT Mileage: 10.6 mi

Duration: 8 hours, 54 minutes

Rock Difficulty: Class 2

There's no better birthday present than a good hike. So for my birthday this year, I decided to complete Mt. Katahdin's Baxter Peak. I initially wanted to do the classic Hunt Trail, but heard from some others that the slightly easier Saddle Trail was very scenic in the fall, so ended up doing that instead. Read more... 

Start/End: Ferncroft Trailhead

Peaks: Whiteface (4,020')

Elevation Gain: 2,800 ft

RT Mileage: 7.0 mi

Rock Difficulty: Class 1

After returning from Colorado on August 25, I decided to do another NH 4,000er with Mt. Whiteface, with no break from hiking in between. I wanted to do Dicey Mills/Tom Wiggin Trail up, since that's a fun Class 2, but I was quite exhausted after an active week of hiking and travel, so ended up doing the standard Blueberry Ledge Trail instead. Read more... 

Start: Argentine Pass Trailhead, Horseshoe Basin

End: Grays Peak Trailhead, Stevens Gulch

Peaks: Grays (14,270')

Elevation Gain/Loss: 3,205 ft / 3,040 ft

Point-to-Point Mileage: 7.25 mi

Duration: 7 hours, 38 minutes

Rock Difficulty: Class 2

After completing a couple more non-notable hikes during the first half of August, I began a week-long trip to Colorado on August 16. After spending a couple of days acclimatizing since I live at sea level, I completed my first 14er with Grays Peak. The standard North Slope route is an extremely popular Class 1, so to spice things up I decided to do the desolate Class 2 South Ridge instead. Read more... 

Start/End: Garfield Trailhead

Peaks: Garfield (4,500')

Elevation Gain: 3,000 ft

RT Mileage: 9.8 mi

Rock Difficulty: Class 1

I completed two more 4,000ers after Jackson-Webster, neither of which I felt notable enough for inclusion in this blog since I had done them before in previous summers. After these two, I decided to do Mt. Garfield, a decent-sized 4,000er in the shadow of the prominent Franconia Ridge to its south. Read more... 

Start/End: Crawford Notch, Rt. 302

Peaks: Jackson (4,052'), "Webster" (3,911')

Elevation Gain: 2,200 ft

RT Mileage: 6.4 mi

Rock Difficulty: Class 1

One week after taking on Jefferson, I returned to the Presidentials, only this time for a much easier peak. Mt. Jackson is by far the easiest Presidential and one of the easiest NH 4,000ers as a whole. Although Mt. Webster is shy of a 4,000er, I decided to throw it in as well. Read more... 

Start/End: Caps Ridge Trailhead, Jefferson Notch Road

Peaks: Jefferson (5,712')

Elevation Gain: 2,700 ft

RT Mileage: 5.1 mi

Rock Difficulty: Class 2+

After taking the spring off from hiking, I decided to begin the summer with a Presidential. Since I'd been out of it for a while, I started off small with an ascent of the Caps Ridge Trail to Mt. Jefferson. This trail is relatively short in terms of mileage, just 2.5 miles one-way, but pretty steep with just over 1,000 ft of elevation gain per mile on average. Read more... 

Start/End: Lafayette Place Campground

Peaks: Lafayette (5,260')

Elevation Gain: 3,600 ft

RT Mileage: 7.5 mi

Duration: 6 hours, 14 minutes

Snow/Ice Difficulty: Grade I

For my first above-treeline winter hike ever, I decided to do the uppermost segment of the Franconia Ridge, which includes 2 NH 4,000ers. The weekend before, I had attempted the loop counterclockwise, but turned back on the Falling Waters Trail below treeline after running out of warm water. This time, I came back more prepared but decided to go a bit easier and do just Mt. Lafayette via Old Bridle Path. Read more...