New England Suggestions for a 3-5 Day Hike

[black mage]

Hi there, I first want to say I appreciate any help that comes my way.

I'm planning a 3-5 day hike with a friend, and we were hoping to hike somewhere in New England. We're both relative newbies, having done a few day hikes and one 3 day hike previously in Pennsylvania, along with numerous other outdoor adventures along the Susquehanna.

I'm basically asking what you guys would recommend in New England for someone with some experience, but certainly not an expert. I found this link through a google search, it's from television show I've never heard of, much less seen:

http://pilotguides.com/destination_guide/north-america/new-england/hiking_the_appalachian_trail.php


Holly Morris heads to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, a two hour drive from Boston, Massachusetts. This section of the Appalachian Trail is great if you are looking for a 3-5 day trek in this area and you want to catch some of the beautiful fall colours of the White Mountains. Holly begins her trek at the trailhead at Franconia Ridge. She hikes up four thousand feet to the Greenleaf Hut where she stays overnight. From there, Holly heads north east to Zealand Falls before finally attempting to climb the highest mountain in the Northeast United States – Mount Washington.

Despite being from TV, it looked interesting and in the time range we were looking for. What do you guys think? How accessible are Franconia Notch and the base of Mt. Washington (assuming we take that railroad down)?

Any other suggestions? I'm trying to decide based on the following criteria (for any hike, not just the one I posted):

How would we get there and back?

How difficult is the hike, especially for someone with relatively limited experience?

If we do try to hike Mt. Washington, what kind of clothes are necessary?

What's the best mountainous location? I really want to be far away from a big population, if possible.


I might have more questions as the thread unfolds. Thanks a ton everyone!

[Snowleopard]

Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is at http://www.outdoors.org/
AMC has mountain huts ($$$) and lots of other info.
Weather info: http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/
Current temp 38F, winds 51 mph at 10pm.

When are you going? I'll assume this month
Below tree line clothes -- about what you would use in PA in Sept. Synthetics or wool, bring rain gear.
Above tree line -- Synthetics or wool. Rain parka and rain pants (goretex or imitation goretex is good). A fleece or wool hat. Warm clothes (1 or 2 fleece jackets or wool shirts/sweaters). Synthetic t-shirt. Long underwear (top and bottom, synthetic or wool). Nylon pants and shirt. Thin gloves might be nice.
Select from what you have and post a proposed list here.

I like Mt. Adams and Mt. Jefferson; the top of Washington is developed.

"How would we get there and back?" Driving there is the easiest. There are buses, I think. AMC has a hikers shuttle (see website).

"How difficult is the hike, especially for someone with relatively limited experience?" If you're in good physical condition, it's not that difficult. It's steep, sometimes very steep, uphill walking, not technical rock climbing. This year it's been very rainy, so trails will be wet and muddy at lower elevations. And maybe buggy (bring DEET).

Base of Mt. Washington: AMC Pinkham Notch lodge is a starting point.

In August the most popular areas will have a lot of hikers.

Get a map of the White Mountains (from AMC or bookstores) or AMC White Mountain Guide.

[Tinker]

Hi there, I first want to say I appreciate any help that comes my way.

I'm planning a 3-5 day hike with a friend, and we were hoping to hike somewhere in New England. We're both relative newbies, having done a few day hikes and one 3 day hike previously in Pennsylvania, along with numerous other outdoor adventures along the Susquehanna.

I'm basically asking what you guys would recommend in New England for someone with some experience, but certainly not an expert. I found this link through a google search, it's from television show I've never heard of, much less seen:

http://pilotguides.com/destination_guide/north-america/new-england/hiking_the_appalachian_trail.php



Despite being from TV, it looked interesting and in the time range we were looking for. What do you guys think? How accessible are Franconia Notch and the base of Mt. Washington (assuming we take that railroad down)?

Any other suggestions? I'm trying to decide based on the following criteria (for any hike, not just the one I posted):

How would we get there and back?

How difficult is the hike, especially for someone with relatively limited experience?

If we do try to hike Mt. Washington, what kind of clothes are necessary?

What's the best mountainous location? I really want to be far away from a big population, if possible.


I might have more questions as the thread unfolds. Thanks a ton everyone!

Quite a strange itinerary for three days, the third day being the hardest, but none of them being easy (and it leaves you on top of a mountain which takes approx. three hours to hike back off of). For someone who is not a seasoned hiker or a true athlete, I wouldn't attempt it.
Circuit hikes involving the AT are not very common. The first one I think of is the Pinkham Notch (AMC) camp up Tuckerman Ravine to Lake of the Clouds Hut 1st day, Lakes Hut over Washington, Jefferson and Adams to Madison hut 2nd day, and Madison Hut back to Pinkham Notch 3rd day. Lots of vertical (mostly 1st and 3rd day), and very exposed to weather. That, plus you need to stay at the huts (unless you do a rather long and exhausting day to Grey Knob, the Perch or Crag camp - I did this one a couple of years ago) and then over Madison and back to Pinkham, but that's just two days, the first one being quite long and difficult.
I have a book on hikes in Vermont which mentions the Glastonbury/West ridge loop. I've hiked Glastonbury Mt. (on the Long Trail), but not the West ridge part of the loop. This would be a two day trip.