Day Hikes in the White Mountains

The very best day hikes are the ones that take one trail out and return by a different route. That way, you get twice the scenery for the same amount of effort.

One of the most popular day-hiking areas in New England is around Franconia Notch in New Hampshire and the area bordered by I-93 and Route 3. The area includes the summits of Lafayette (5,260 feet), Lincoln (5,089), Garfield (4,500), Little Haystack (4,780), Liberty (4,459), and Mt. Flume (4,328).

Just in this one corner of the White Mountains are at least a dozen possible combinations of trails that will take you out to a summit (or two) and back to your car by a different route. There's even the option of camping overnight at Liberty Springs or Garfield Ridge or bunking in at the AMC Greenleaf Hut.

Probably the most popular circular route starts at Lafayette Campground, going up the Falling Waters trail (3.2 miles, three hours), over the summits of Little Haystack, Lincoln and Lafayette on the Franconia Ridge Trail (1.7 miles, one hour), descending on the Greenleaf Trail to the Hut (1.1 miles, one hour), then down the Old Bridle Path (2.9 miles three hours) -- and back to your car.

Yes, that's eight hours of walking -- just about right for a long summer day with plenty of time for rest stops and a long lunch.

An easier version takes you up the Old Bridle Path to the Greenleaf Hut, and down the Greenleaf Trail with an easy stroll down the bike path back to your car. You can choose whether or not to hit the summit of Lafayette (which will add about two hours.)

Again, there are dozens of possible combinations in Franconia Notch alone, some longer and more difficult than others, and hundreds if not thousands of others scattered across the hills of New England. 

Going out hiking for a full day changes your whole perspective on the world. Instead of just ambling along, you have to plan.

The first thing you need to plan is the route you want to hike.

My bibles for finding circular routes are the guidebooks published by the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Green Mountain Club. The granddaddy of them all, is the AMC White Mountain Guide. There are also guides for Maine, Massachusetts, and two for Vermont.

The guides give very clear descriptions of the trails along with approximate hiking times for folks in good shape traveling in good weather. Don't take these times as gospel.

Many day-hikers make the mistake of trying to do too much. If you're not an experienced hiker, plan for about half what you think you can do. Ditto for experienced hikers who aren't in top shape. It's not pleasant to find yourself with sore muscles and no energy many miles from the road. Remember, going downhill is often more tiring than hiking up.

Hike smart

The other day, in beautiful weather, I saw hikers on the Franconia Ridge Trail carrying nothing but a water bottle and a tiny fanny pack. Traveling fast and light is a pleasure, and I'm sure they got away with it -- this time.

But the exposed summits of any mountains are nothing to fool with. Though the temperature in the valleys was pleasant, on top it was in the 40's with a hurricane force wind on the higher summits. And there was rain in the forecast.

Even if you are going out for the day on familiar terrain, carry good rain gear and enough insulation (fleece doesn't weigh much), food and water to get you comfortably through a night should the unthinkable happen. A good backpack with less than 10 lbs. of gear can keep you safe.

Also, don't hesitate to turn back from your goal if the weather turns sour or you are getting too tired to continue. The best hikes are the ones that end safely.