I first would like to say a few weeks ago I was in the whites for the first time hiking the Presidential Traverse and loved it. Arrived in very bad weather and one person had died but a day later when I started the weather was perfect for me not hot and not cold and took it easy staying in huts each night to simplify the process and enjoyed those. The area did not seem crowded at all which I was expecting. I had planned it since January to celebrate my 60th birthday which was in May. I did the hike starting at Pinkham Notch where I had stayed the previous night.
I am now interested in coming back and dong the Pemi loop for my fall trip but would prefer to avoid snow but see good leaf colors. Can both of these be done. Have heard from two sources that standard hiking season ends around columbus day the best time for leaves but wonder can I easily get pre snow weather for the hike and good leaf colors in the valleys at the same time. I wonder about last week of September or first week of October.
Fall is my favorite time to hike and I have done winters but would prefer only very little snow at the most and above freezing temps are my favorite though that may be tricky at night. I also wonder if I might have an advantage for parking if I did not arrive on a weekend.
I know weather can be tricky and last month I was delayed a day getting there because of weather and airlines causing me to not get to do a day hike of Franconia Ridge so I would also like to have day hikes planned as a backup.