Activities for the Hiking/Backpacking Committee
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This page lists trips sponsored by the Hiking/Backpacking Committee. To see all trips sponsored by the Boston Chapter, see our search page. To find trips sponsored by other chapters, use the club-wide trip search page.
Beginner Backpacking Weekend on the A/T
You like hiking. You like camping. Now you want to combine the two! Join us for a one-way 20 mile backpacking weekend on the Appalachian Trail, from Kinsman Notch to NH 25A. On day 1 we will start with a steep ascent up Mt. Moosilauke (4802'), where we may be rewarded with 360 degree views of the White Mountain National Forest. We will continue on the A/T and spend the night camping along the trail, or at a shelter if available. On day 2 we will make breakfast, clean up camp, and complete our final 10 miles to the car spot.
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GreatGulfAPalooza--Vol 2 Episode 1--Madison via Mad Gulf, return via Osgood
Join Pete and Joe for the first episode in the return of the GreatGulfAPalooza! Visit some of the beautiful, remote, seldom tracked areas of the Great Gulf. Today's trip ascends to the top of Mt Madison via a secret jewel of the White Mountains--the Madison Gulf Trail.. This trail involves a significant amount of exposed scrambling, so if that isn't your thing, then you should consider another trip. Also, this trip will be fast paced, with few stops--be prepared to refuel and drink on the fly.
Mt. Zealand in June
Join us for good company and weather permitting, great views on the way to wooded summit of Mt. Zealand (4260'). We will take the Northeast approach from Zealand road, 11.4 miles, about 2400 ft of elevation gain. Participants should have a similar distance hikes with AMC within the past 6 months, not including Spring Program hikes.
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Belknap Range Run: Gunstock, Belknap
In this ongoing series running all the trails in the Belknap Range, we'll visit Gunstock and Belknap Mountain, both with great views of Lake Winnipesaukee, making a final stop at the lovely isolated Round Pond. We'll cover about 8.1 miles and climb 2000 feet in a loop. Our pace will be about 12-15 minutes/mile on easier terrain, slowing to a 20 minute power-hike on steep uphills or very technical sections. The priority is enjoying scenery and company rather than a hard workout. Some experience with trail running at or near this distance is required.
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Annual Presidential traverse
Join us for a hyper-scenic single-day odyssey over the challenging terrain of NH's iconic Presidential Range! We will hike in two teams. A southbound team will follow the classic route from the Appalachia trailhead in Randolph, NH to the Crawford Path trailhead in Bretton Woods. The route includes 10 peaks (Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Clay, Washington, Monroe, South Monroe, Franklin, Eisenhower, Pierce), 7 of which are official 4000 footers. Stats: 20 miles and 8600 feet of cumulative elevation gain at a moderate pace (1.5+ mph).
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Mount Tecumseh hike
Join us for a Sunday hike up Mount Tecumseh, the lowest of the New Hampshire 4000 footers and named after a legendary Indian chief. We will ascend via the Mt Tecumseh Trail starting at Waterville Valley Ski Area. This is an introductory hike to the White Mountains, with 2200 feet of elevation gain and a distance of 5 miles round trip. We will hike at a moderate pace (1.5-2.0 miles per hour) up a steady incline with some steep, but manageable sections. Participants should have recent hiking experience involving several hours on the trail and 1000 feet plus of elevation gain.
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Sandwich Range Traverse Backpack
Join us for a three day, two night backpacking trip as we traverse the Sandwich range, picking up eight "listed" peaks as we go -- North Tripyramid, Middle Tripyramid, Whiteface and Passaconaway (4000 footers)), East Sleeper (NE Hundred Highest), and Square Ledge, Paugus and Chocorua (52-With-A-View). Day 1 involves climbing the north slide (steep, open rock slabs) of North Tripyramid and hiking across the Sleepers. On Day 2 we will summit Mt. Whiteface and Mt. Passaconaway, pass over Square Ledge and camp near the summit of Mt. Paugus. And on Day 3 we'll summit Mt.
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Visit the THREE Hancock peaks over 4000' high!
Join us for a challenging hike over the three Hancock peaks over 4000' tall - South Hancock (4,319'), Hancock (aka North Hancock 4,420') and Northwest Hancock (4,020'). While the first two summits are on the New Hampshire 48 Four Thousand Footer list and are readily accessible by well-travelled trails, Northwest Hancock (on the Trailwrights 72 list) is rarely hiked and is accessible only via a challenging bushwhack from North Hancock.
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Bay Circuit Trail Run Section 2 (Ipswich)
Join this 12 mile run exploring Boston's "Outer Emerald Necklace!" The Bay Circuit Trail links 200 miles of readily-accessible nature in the outer Boston suburbs. This section through Ipswich includes the marshes of the Willowdale State Forest and high hills in Bradley Palmer State Park. Our pace will be about 9-10 minutes/mile, with a focus on enjoying scenery and company on the move rather than a hard workout. Some experience running at or near this distance is required; trail experience (hiking or running) is encouraged but not required for strong runners.
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Chocorua via Champney Falls
Join us for a hike up Mount Chocurua! Mount Chocorua is a popular hike because its bare and rocky summit commands excellent views in all directions. Although it is only 3,475' in elevation, it is a rigorous climb with some steep sections and rock scrambles. We will be taking the popular Champney Falls Trail, approaching the summit from the north. The highlight of this trail is that it passes the 70' Champney Falls waterfall about halfway up. This is a great place to take a break and cool off quickly before tackling the steep rocky sections at the top.
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Stinson Mountain, Rumney - Hike
Nice, short, hike up Mt. Stinson on a Sunday, to allow plenty of time to beat the traffic back to Boston. Stinson, which is on the '52 with a View' list, has an open summit with great views of the Baker River Valley.
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Mt. Moosilauke Run
Experience more of Moosilauke! In this run, we'll first ascend to the bare ridgeline of Mount Moosilauke, enjoying the views from from the South Peak and the true summit. We'll then curve around the east side of the mountain and into the woods, taking in Mt. Blue and Mt. Jim, subpeaks of the Moosilauke massif, and the headwaters of the Baker River. The day will end with one last climb back over the low ridge to our starting point. We'll cover about 14.3 miles and climb 4,600 feet in this loop.
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Summit Two NH 48s - Garfield & Galehead
Come spend the day hiking to the summits of Garfield and Galehead Mountains. This loop trail hike will take us over two NH 4000-footers. Garfield offers spectacular panoramic views into the heart of the Pemigewasset Wilderness and Galehead has a beautiful overlook near the top. We will also stop at Galehead Hut to enjoy lunch and/or snacks. Leaders will arrange a carspot (no road walk). Join us on this excursion for good times, good hiking, and good company! (13.7 mi., 4200' elevation gain).
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Adams and Madison Day Hike
Join us for a hike up through spectacular King Ravine, with a brief diversion to scramble through the boulders of The Subway, then over to Mts. Adams and Madison via the Gulfside Trail, and down from Mt. Madison via the Watson Path. At 10 miles and around 5,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain, this is a strenuous hike combining the steep scrambling and exposed ledges of a ravine hike with open boulder fields and expansive views above treeline. It should be a spectacular day, but participants must be ready for the distance, elevation and rough terrain typical of the Presidential Range.
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The Tripyramids via the Slides
Join us to hike 2 of the more challenging AMC New Hampshire 4000 footers! This 10 plus mile loop hike will take us over all three Tripyramids (North 4180', Middle 4140' and South 4090') with an elevation change of 2903'). We will be hiking the unique North and South Slides which, if the weather cooperates, will give us great views of Waterville Valley and the Osceolas. This will be a long and strenuous hike with some scrambling on the slides so we plan on an early start since we will be on the trail for 7-8 hours. Plan on a leisurely 1.5-2mph rate though!
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Franconia Ridge Loop with stay at Greenleaf Hut
Join the leaders for a classic White Mountains loop with a stay at the AMC's Greenleaf Hut. On day 1, we'll hike up Falling Waters Trail, passing many waterfalls, and then along the Franconia Ridge to Little Haystack Mountain. We'll then continue on the Franconia Ridge Trail, which is above treeline and part of the Appalachian Trail (AT), over to Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Lafayette, two NH 4,000 footers. From Mt Lafayette, we'll hike down to Greenleaf Hut for dinner.
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Mount Carrigain
Join us for a 10-mile round trip hike, with 3530' elevation gain, to the 4,700' peak of Mount Carrigain, one of the AMC New Hampshire 4000 footers. This will be a moderately strenuous hike with an exposed ridge near the peak and 360-degree views from the fire tower! Weather permitting, spectacular views of the Pemigewasset Wilderness, the Hancocks, and most of the AMC 4k's will be waiting. Plan on a leisurely 1.5-2mph rate. This trip can be combined with the 14 July Tripyramids hike, contact Joe about accommodations ($5/person/night).
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Mount Garfield
Join us for a day hike to Mt Garfield, a 4,000 footer in the Franconia Range which offers grand views of the Franconia Range and the Pemigewasset wilderness. We will go up the Garfield Trail and hike 5 miles to the top with approximately 3,000 ft elevation. It is a long gradual climb with a 0.2 mile steep stretch at the end. 3-season gear and recent experience with 7-mile hikes in the 2000+ elevation gain essential.
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Lincoln and Lafayette
Join fellow HB members as we explore the stunning ridges of Franconia Notch. Starting out on the Falling Waters Trail we will encounter picturesque waterfalls and great outlooks. This loop hike will cover 9 miles, with 3950' elevation gain as we hike over the open ridges and summit of Lincoln (5089') and Lafayette (5260').
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Tecumseh on a Sunday Morning
Join us on Sunday, July 22 for an enjoyable hike to the summit of Mount Tecumseh, one of the smaller of New Hampshire's 4000 footers. At 4003 feet, the summit of Tecumseh provides beautiful views of Waterville Valley. This 6.2 mile out and back from Tripoli Road offers a little over 2000 feet of elevation gain and is a great hike for those who are might be interested in beginning their 4000 footer journey. Participants should have recent hiking experience of over four miles with over 1000 feet of elevation gain.
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Mt. Whiteface and Mt. Passaconaway Loop Hike
Let's enjoy the Sandwich Range with a challenging clockwise loop hike deep in the White Mountains to two wooded summits but with ledges and various viewpoints along the route that make this hike well worth the effort. This is a moderately paced hike to the summits of Mt. Whiteface and Mt. Passaconaway. We will be hiking a classic loop across BOTH 4000 footers. The loop distance is about 11.5 miles with 4350' of elevation gain. Expect a long day, this hike will take about 8-9 hours to complete, if not longer.
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Early August Hike to Zealand and Hale
Join us in early August to bag two 4,000 footers along with views of the cascading Zealand Falls and the ever impressive Zealand Notch. During our 13-mile loop hike, we'll summit Zealand Mountain (4,260') and Mt. Hale (4,054') with a brief stop at Zealand Falls Hut along the way. While neither summit is famous for its views, from Zeacliff Outlook we'll feast our eyes on one of the finest views in the White Mountains with its magnificent panorama over the eastern Pemigewasset Wilderness and several mountain ranges.
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Mt Greylock Backpack
Join us for a summer backpack to the top of Mt. Greylock, the highest mountain in Massachusetts! We will take a 12.5 plus mile loop past stands of old growth forest, waterfalls, and along the ridgeline of the Greylock massif. We will enjoy the summit views from atop the War Memorial and camp at an established site. Each participant will be responsible for their own meals (2 lunches, 1 breakfast, 1 dinner, and trail snacks) but leaders will bring dessert!
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A "Reel" Great Hike to the Kinsmans
Join us on Sunday, August 5th for a hike to North and South Kinsman, two of New Hampshire's 4000 footers. We will approach from the west, using the scenic Reel Brook Trail to make our way to Kinsman Ridge and then will descend via the Mount Kinsman Trail. This 11.5-mile hike includes 3500 feet of elevation gain, several stream crossings and some rock scrambles, so be sure you and comfortable with fairly rugged terrain. We will hike at a moderate pace of 1.5-2 mph, passing the beautiful cascades on Eliza Brook and the remote Harrington Pond.
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Hostel and Hiking Weekend: Baldfaces and Waumbek
Join us for two days of summer hiking and two nights in a comfortable hostel outside Gorham, NH. Saturday, we'll hike the Baldface Circle Trail, which the White Mountain Guide calls the "one of the most attractive trips in the White Mountains." Traveling clockwise, we'll ascend steep ledges en route to South Baldface, cross about 4 miles of open and exposed terrain including the summit of North Baldface and then complete our loop via the Bicknell Ridge Trail. We'll visit scenic Emerald Pool on our return. Sunday, we'll hike Mt. Waumbek, a NH 4000'er.
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