[kappygirl]

Hello! My husband and I are looking for a White Mtn. hiking trail of about 1 1/2 to 2 hrs. for the average/fairly physically fit person. In the past we've done Arethusa Falls, Champney Falls, and Black Cap Mtn. I've also read about the Boulder Loop Trail. It was not open last year when we went to NH. Any advice/suggestions appreciated.

[Andrew]

You could consider the Greeley Ponds Loop:

You can see the topography here:

HNE Earth map (just enter "Greeley Ponds Trail" and click go)

It's a pretty common day (few hour) hike just off the "hairpin" turn on the Kancamagus Highway. You get some wildlife and a nice drive to boot!

Quote

Summary: Trail is rocky and muddy in places and there are several stream crossings. The second stream crossing can be difficult when the water is high (Spring) but is generally easy other times of year. The ponds are very pretty and there are many protected plants growing in the boggy section of the second pond. The shelter does not exist anymore but there are good places to relax by the water and even to swim.

from: http://www.localhike...yPonds_0000.asp

[iClimb]

I've haven't done a ton in the Whites, but one of my favorites so far has been the Franconia Notch area. A decent hike that will take a couple of hours round trip is to park at the Lafayette Place parking area, and hike up to Lonesome Lake. Once there you can relax at the AMC hut, get a refill of water before heading back down, and if its hot take a dip in the lake.

[Stickball13]

My wife and I did Doublehead in Jackson Memorial weekend. Nice and easy trail if you go clockwise on the loop. It's about a 6 mile round trip and took us about 3 hours. The trailhead is located on Dundee road in Jackson. Excellent views looking back towards the southern side of Mt Washington. Doublehead is one of the top 52 with a view in NH

[kappygirl]

Stickball13, on 21 Jun 2010 - 08:36 PM, said:

My wife and I did Doublehead in Jackson Memorial weekend. Nice and easy trail if you go clockwise on the loop. It's about a 6 mile round trip and took us about 3 hours. The trailhead is located on Dundee road in Jackson. Excellent views looking back towards the southern side of Mt Washington. Doublehead is one of the top 52 with a view in NH

Thanks for your ideas. Where is Dundee Rd.. in Jackson w/ relation to Storyland or the Jackson Covered Bridge, etc.?I'm not too familiar w/ the roads.
Thanks!

[Stickball13]

Go past Storyland for a few miles and take Rt 16A. Go though the town of Jackson heading towards Black Mt ski area. Dundee road is close to the ski area. If you want to hike both North and South Doublehead make sure you head left (clockwise) and follow the Ski trail to the summit of North Doublehead. You will come to a log cabin. Continue following the trail towards South Doublehead. After about .3 miles of steep downhill (this is why I said to go this direction, I would rather go down steep then up steep) you will come to a junction. Continue straight to South Doublehead for the excellent views. You will need to backtrack to continue the loop back to your car. If you don't want to hike North (no views) then just go straight up the Old Path to the junction just mentioned. At this point go right towards South Doublehead. Enjoy.

[kappygirl]

Stickball13, on 22 Jun 2010 - 08:00 PM, said:

Go past Storyland for a few miles and take Rt 16A. Go though the town of Jackson heading towards Black Mt ski area. Dundee road is close to the ski area. If you want to hike both North and South Doublehead make sure you head left (clockwise) and follow the Ski trail to the summit of North Doublehead. You will come to a log cabin. Continue following the trail towards South Doublehead. After about .3 miles of steep downhill (this is why I said to go this direction, I would rather go down steep then up steep) you will come to a junction. Continue straight to South Doublehead for the excellent views. You will need to backtrack to continue the loop back to your car. If you don't want to hike North (no views) then just go straight up the Old Path to the junction just mentioned. At this point go right towards South Doublehead. Enjoy.

Thank you for the directions! We'll give it a try. Heading up there July 4 weekend.

[Chad]

I read that it's too late, but the hike into Franconia Falls via the Lincoln Woods Trail fits that desc. It's pretty much flat through the notch all the way in, well used trail, and a high end payoff at the Falls. I love that spot. Get the trailhead behind the Lincoln Woods station at the Lincoln end of the WMNF on the Kancamagus.