If you had one day on the New England AT...

[ex-tennesseean]

... where would it be? I think I can carve out that much trail time when I take a multi-purpose family trip there next month. I'd like to stay between the Adirondacks and Maine, in those tiny states I've never seen. Five or ten miles would be fine. I'd like to maximize the fall factor while finding a diverse hike. Something like I'd never see back home in Colorado, or in my old Tennessee hills. Something with falling water, and rhododendron hells, maybe?

I'm planning another day canoeing, plus some biking and a tourist railroad ride. Suggestions for those are welcome, too. Wish I could take more ime, but four perfect days are nothing to sneeze at.

[Sly]

For the best mix of above treeline and forest you could do a loop or semi-loop to Franconia Ridge and/or the Pemi Wilderness, but you'll have to get a map, I have no idea of the mileages or how crowded it would be.

Ride up to NH through Vermont.

[Shutterbug]

... where would it be? I think I can carve out that much trail time when I take a multi-purpose family trip there next month. I'd like to stay between the Adirondacks and Maine, in those tiny states I've never seen. Five or ten miles would be fine. I'd like to maximize the fall factor while finding a diverse hike. Something like I'd never see back home in Colorado, or in my old Tennessee hills. Something with falling water, and rhododendron hells, maybe?

I'm planning another day canoeing, plus some biking and a tourist railroad ride. Suggestions for those are welcome, too. Wish I could take more ime, but four perfect days are nothing to sneeze at.

You can park your car at Pinkham Notch, NH, hike up Tuckerman's Ravine to the summit of Mt. Washington. There are other trails that lead back to Pinkham Notch, so you can make a loop hike.

If you decide you have had enough when you reach the summit, there is a shuttle you can take back down (first come, first serve $26).

No rohodendrium hells, but there are plenty of water falls. It is a challenging hike, but not at all like Colorado.

I did the hike on Labor Day a couple of years ago. This is the best time of the year to be on Mt. Washington, but one still has to be careful about the weather.

[Tinker]

Mahoosuc Notch in Maine. Something you'll never see the likes of anywhere else on the AT.

Other places I've hiked in the fall and liked are:

Little Rock Pond in Vermont

Stratton Pond, in Vermont

Lonesome Lake, in NH (great view of the Franconia Range across the valley)

The Franconia Range (same unpredictable weather as the Presidentials)

Pemigewasset Wilderness (Wilderness Trail, routed next to Pemigewasset River, on old railroad bed, makes a nice flat walk, or you can head up the Bondcliff trail for views, though it's probably a longer hike than you'd like).

There are numerous other places, too many to mention.

Oh, well, one more, not on the AT, but on the Long Trail north of the AT/LT split, Rte 108 (if I remember correctly) takes you to Smuggler's Notch, a steep sided pass used by, of all people, smugglers early in the country's history. Hike south on the LT up to Mt. Mansfield, or north up to a smaller mountain (the name escapes me right now), with great views of Mt. Mansfield.

I think I'm done.

[Roland]

... where would it be? I think I can carve out that much trail time when I take a multi-purpose family trip there next month. I'd like to stay between the Adirondacks and Maine, in those tiny states I've never seen. Five or ten miles would be fine. I'd like to maximize the fall factor while finding a diverse hike. Something like I'd never see back home in Colorado, or in my old Tennessee hills. Something with falling water, and rhododendron hells, maybe?

I'm planning another day canoeing, plus some biking and a tourist railroad ride. Suggestions for those are welcome, too. Wish I could take more ime, but four perfect days are nothing to sneeze at.

Ex-tenn,

There are lots of great suggestions above, but based on your tight schedule and your description of this trip as a family event, let me present a few additional options.

It sounds like your itinerary may take you to the Conway area, perhaps paddling the Saco River and touring on the Conway Scenic Railroad. While in the Valley, there are a number of easy/moderate hikes nearby, that provide a good bang-for-the-buck, and could be fun for the whole family.

Though not on the AT, Kearsarge North offers fabulous views from its exposed summit and fire tower. Get an early start to beat the crowds and complete the 6 mile, 2700' gain hike, with time remaining to explore Diana's Bath and a drive to the top of Cathedral Ledge.

If you're short on time, or if the family isn't interested in a hike, take them to Black Cap. This short walk leads to a partially exposed summit with nice views, particularly during fall foliage.

If you want to get high, without the effort, the Cog Railway and Auto Road offer great leaf-peeping vantange points.

A popular fall drive is from Interstate 93, through Franconia Notch to Twin Mountain (US 3), through Crawford Notch (US 302), to North Conway (US 16) and back to Interstate 93 via the Kancamagus Highway (NH 112).

Hopefully your trip allows time for a full day on the Trail, but if not, these options will give you a taste of the White Mountains.

[One Leg]

Definately Maine, area of Rangely... Beautiful hiking.

[ex-tennesseean]

Thanks for all your suggestions, they were all helpful. I think my hiking plans will be made spontaneously, at the last minute, so I don't know which way I'll go. I'll try to research some of this myself. I'm crossing Maine off the list becase I've been there before, and it's too big to tackle in a day or so. Unless that's where the color is... And I'm less inclined towards the summits. After nearly 30 years in Colorado, timberline isn't such a novelty anymore.

I'm looking to spend at least one night in my new Cloudburst up there, to make up for too many in the Super 8's.

[A-Train]

Check out the Adirondacks. Head for the Adirondack Loj near Lake Placid. It's situated on beautiful Heart Lake, and you're in the heart of the High Peak area. The Loj allows you options of private rooms, bunk room, lean-to's, or camp sites (plus access to backcountry stuff). It is a day's walk from here up to Marcy, Algonquin, Colden, Phelps and lots of other great 4000 footers, or a really pleasant 2 mile walk to Marcy Dam, with a great view of the aformentioned peaks

[dmb658]

i would definately make a trip up to the presidential range in new hampshire, on a nice day, it can have some amazing view especially on the ridge from washingto all the way to jackson.

i would also like to recomend mahoosuc notch, very interesting when you are in the notch because of the caves huge boulders. but this may be a multiple day trip (i havent hiked this in a while so i cant tell you for sure)

a good day hike would also be in new hampshire and that is to hike up mount liberty and also mount flume which is right next to it and has amazing views

[Undershaft]

Mahoosuc Notch is easily done as a dayhike. I have done it twice. I would recommend hiking Mt. Moosilauke via the Beaver Brook Trail. Lots of falling water, a shelter right off the trail, and fantastic views from the summit (weather permiting). If you head to the Mahoosuc range there are some nice waterfalls near the AT. Giant Falls is located off the Peabody Brook trail which connects to the AT at Dream Lake. At the same spot (Dream Lake) is the Dryad Falls trail. I have never been to Dryad Falls, but I hear its pretty nice. An overnite loop with a stay at Gentian Pond shelter/tentsite might be nice.

[Gray Blazer]

The hike up Mt Willey behind the Willey House At Crawford Notch is a possibility. You can see Mt washington and the Presidentials from up there. It takes all day to get up and down with some steep parts that you have to go on your hands and knees. The infamous Cog Mountain Railroad is right there or you can drive up Mt Washington. Either way, don't miss it.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

As many I will suggest the White Mountain area. One very cool trail is the Mount Webster cliff, you will find a lot of variety. The trail begin is easy and fast become intermediate to a little advance there is very nice point of view and you run into some huts. The Franconia ridge is also a must.

Have a great time.

[Tin Man]

Check out the Adirondacks. Head for the Adirondack Loj near Lake Placid. It's situated on beautiful Heart Lake, and you're in the heart of the High Peak area. The Loj allows you options of private rooms, bunk room, lean-to's, or camp sites (plus access to backcountry stuff). It is a day's walk from here up to Marcy, Algonquin, Colden, Phelps and lots of other great 4000 footers, or a really pleasant 2 mile walk to Marcy Dam, with a great view of the aformentioned peaks

Speaking of Adirondacks, my favorite place is Pharaoh Lake. It is an easy hike in and is suited for both day hiking or overnighting. I have taken many non-hikers in, set up a base camp, and hiked around the lake, up Pharaoh Mountain, and around to other ponds and lakes in the area. There are a lot of circuit options for all levels of hikers. Beautiful spot.

[ex-tennesseean]

Thanks for all your advice-- I'm packing to go tomorrow. Whether I go any of these places or not, I think you've enjoyed giving this advice and rememebering good times you've had in those places. Roland, you're especially on my wavelength, because the Notch Train is on my schedule for Friday and I've contacted the Saco River canoe people about a float there. Their season is over, but it was easy to talk them into a rental when I mentioned I was writing a magazine article. Looks like l'll be visiting a cousin in Burlington, as well, and I'll see the region N,S,E & W. I'll take all your notes in my nav bag.

[ScottP]

Franconia ridge in the whites, if you can plan a doable loop there. Hiking in the white is tough.

Mahousec Notch is great as well, again, if you can plan a doable loop

You might want to check out the famous/infamous Rutland, VT Hostel: the back Home Again cafe

I really enjoyed the Lye Brook Wilderness, just south of Manchester Center, VT (You can drive to some semi-famous lookout here for one of the first great views of the north half of the trail, and then be right at the lye brook section) I think that section of the trail is in a ravine that gets a lot of runoff and so is jungle-like. That forest is ALIVE--It just felt like it had way more soul than the rest of the AT.

[Roland]

Thanks for all your advice-- I'm packing to go tomorrow. Whether I go any of these places or not, I think you've enjoyed giving this advice and rememebering good times you've had in those places. Roland, you're especially on my wavelength, because the Notch Train is on my schedule for Friday and I've contacted the Saco River canoe people about a float there. Their season is over, but it was easy to talk them into a rental when I mentioned I was writing a magazine article. Looks like l'll be visiting a cousin in Burlington, as well, and I'll see the region N,S,E & W. I'll take all your notes in my nav bag.

I'm glad the information was helpful and I hope you have a great time. In the northern whites, foliage is beyond peak, however the long-weekend forecast is for exceptional weather. Enjoy northern New England; it's a great time of year.