subject: Hiking New Hampshire's White Mountain Trail [print this page] Hiking New Hampshire's White Mountain Trail
Encompassing the White Mountain Trail and Kancamagus Scenic Byway in New Hampshire, the White Mountains are known for extraordinary fall foliage, royal snow-capped mountain peaks, intriguing rock formations, cascading waterfalls, and hushed valleys. Come enjoy the area's rich geographical and historical past as you hike "The Whites."
Begin on one of the most popular trails in the White Mountain National Forest, the Lincoln Woods Trail, located about five miles east of the town of Lincoln on the Kancamagus Highway. This comfortable trail is just 2.9 miles (one way), and is open to non-motorized use year round. Come in spring, summer and fall for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, and bundle up in the winter for some cross-country skiing! But if you're here to hike, start at the Lincoln Woods Visitors Center, housed in a log cabin at the Lincoln Woods Trailhead. Leave behind the buzzing echoes of traffic while you cross a 180-foot long suspension bridge high over the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River. On your hike, keep a keen eye out for clearings in the dense hardwood forest around you, as many of these are former sites of logging camps. Also watch for rusted rails, iron tools, and abandoned railroad ties-- remnants of the old East Branch and Lincoln Railroad. Feel free to wander down one of the side-trails to the picturesque Black Pond or Franconia Falls, a series of placid pools and rushing cascades over an acre-sized rock outcropping.
For panoramic views of Mother Nature's dazzling fall foliage, try the Boulder Loop Trail. Located six miles west of the White Mountain Trail and Kancamagus Scenic Byway intersection in Conway, this easy-to-moderate 3.1-mile loop will take the average hiker from two to four hours to complete. This immensely scenic loop offers views of Mt. Passaconaway, Mt. Chocorua, and Middle Sister. Pause to take a photograph of the stirring views from the open ledges and rock outcrops, but keep an eye on yourself and your kids. The ledges are beautiful but can be dangerous. As you hike, look for scoured granite and scattered rocks and trees evidence of the Wisconsin Ice Sheet, a glacier that tore up the landscape over 50,000 years ago.
Want a challenge? Try the famous Appalachian National Scenic Trail, known for its 2,000-plus miles of diverse terrain that follow the peaks and valleys of the Appalachian Mountains from Georgia to Maine. The dramatic scenery along the 117-mile stretch that passes through the White Mountains attracts more backcountry hikers than any other part of the trail. Consider hiking the trail in late September and early October when the White Mountains' famous fall foliage is at its best. For a taste of the Appalachian Trail in one day, try the nine-mile Franconia Ridge Loop consisting of the Old Bridle Path, Greenleaf, Franconia Ridge and Falling Waters Trails. Begin in Franconia Notch State Park at Lafayette Place. To reach Lafayette Place, take the Lafayette Campground exit (Exit 34A) from I-93 on the western side of the White Mountain Trail. The loop takes you through some of the area's most rigorous terrain, often peeking above the timberline. But don't just blaze through the trail-- you'll stop right in your tracks once you notice the riveting views of rugged mountain peaks towering over valleys of lush hardwood forests dotted with an occasional conifer. To fully enjoy the intense terrain and undeniably arresting views, allow yourself at least seven to nine hours to complete the loop.
On all of your hiking adventures, especially those in higher elevations, be prepared for unpredictable weather, including dense fog, strong winds, and even snowstorms in the winter and shoulder seasons. Peak conditions for hiking in the White Mountains are in July and August. Safety is important! Visit the hikeSafe website (http://hikesafe.com/), a joint project of the White Mountain National Forest and New Hampshire Fish & Game Department, before embarking on your hike.
No matter your level of hiking expertise, you're guaranteed to find the perfect location. Grab a jacket, pull on those hiking boots, stock up on water, snag some munchies, and get outside! Enjoy the rich history and awe-inspiring views of the Kancamagus Scenic Byway and the White Mountain Trail, two stunning trails that wind their way through the majestic White Mountains of New Hampshire.
