[iClimb]

Hey everyone,

First time poster to this forum.

My friend and I have reasonable hiking and backpacking experience, and have taken a mountaineering course. We climbed Willey's slide this last winter and it was a blast. We would like to do a couple of peaks in the 48 that would be a good place for us to start. We'll probably tackle them this summer and with a little experience under our belts, continue our winter adventures next season.

We would like to do 1 or 2 nights overnight, and want reasonably easy to follow trails that would allow us to get 2 or 3 peaks in at most. Nothing terribly difficult in terms of climbing please, we'd like to start of on the lighter side - we respect the mountains and know how dangerous they can be. I have purchased the AMG White Mountain Guide, so we can get more information once we have some suggestions. I would just like a starting point - there's so many possibilities it can be overwhelming to look for a starting point!

Thanks!

[Andrew]

I get this question a lot, and I always seem to have the same answer. Try the Franconia Ridge Loop:

Franconia State park
-> Falling Waters
-> Ridge Trail (over three peaks)
-> Old Briddle Path (stopping at the Greenleaf Hut for coffee and cookies of course)
-> Continue back to base.

- It's a decent day
- You will probably have at least some people around at some point if you get into trouble
- It's probably (in my opinion) the most scenic walk in New England.

Good Luck!

[NEPilgrim]

Yes, I 2nd Andrew's motion . Franconia Ridge Loop is a good hike. Last Memorial Day I was there for 3 days & 2 nights. Click here to read the trip report. Just know there's no tenting within a 1/4 mi radius of any of the huts. There's a nice spot tucked in the woods where we camped one night on the Greenleaf Trail, than another on the Falling Waters Trail. Really beautiful!

Wherever you choose to go in the Whites, it'll be good, I'm sure .

~Steve.

[iClimb]

Thanks Andrew, that sounds great. I look forward to it and will keep you all posted once I have gone.

[iClimb]

Andrew, on 23 Mar 2010 - 08:00 AM, said:

I get this question a lot, and I always seem to have the same answer. Try the Franconia Ridge Loop:

Franconia State park
-> Falling Waters
-> Ridge Trail (over three peaks)
-> Old Briddle Path (stopping at the Greenleaf Hut for coffee and cookies of course)
-> Continue back to base.

- It's a decent day
- You will probably have at least some people around at some point if you get into trouble
- It's probably (in my opinion) the most scenic walk in New England.

Good Luck!

One other question Andrew - What are the 3 peaks the ridge trail takes you over?

[Stickball13]

I third it!!!

In the direction mentioned the peaks you cross over are Little Haystack Mt, Mt Lincoln and Mt Lafayette.