Favorite Hikes Thread

[MassLiberal]

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to hike some amazing new trail in Grafton Notch, Maine. As it was the first weekend that I have been able to get away to put some miles in my boots, I was reminded that though I am sad that skiing season is over in New England, I truly love hiking season as well.

When I returned home and checked the board, it seemed like a lot of maggots are beginning to get stoked about hiking season too. This got me thinking that given the fact that so many folks here are so knowledgeable about the region in which they live, I was curious as to what people's favorite hikes were. As I sometimes have to travel for business, I would love to take a day or weekend trip into terrain that another maggot has recommended as one of their all time favorites, so let's have at it.

For me:

Favorite Day Hike:

Mount Isolation, NH


Looking east off of Summit



My GF reading with Mt Washington in the background

I love this hike. Of all of the 4,000 footers in NH this is one of the more isolated (hence the name) and least travelled. It's a tough day hike, but it sits in in the midst of Mount Washington and the Southern Pressies, Also, you get to frolick in the Rocky Branch river on the way out, worth the trip in itself.

Weekend:

TIE: Mount Katahdin, ME

Though it's really a day hike, the distance travelled to get there makes it an all weekend experience. It feels like a western Mountain, and if you hike it in the fall you get to see AT thru Hikers finishing an epic journey (as well as astounding colors). The best route up is the Helon Taylor trail and Knife's edge to the summit. It can be a bit scary on windy days, but the experience is unforgetable.



Pemigewasset Loop. NH

From the Lincoln Woods Lot Hike over the Franconia Ridge and Garfield and stay at Garfield camp site, then head beack out over Guyot and the Bonds, Truly amazing hike. You'll see a lot of people on the first section, but not too many on the second. (will add photos later)

Week Long Section

Either the Long Trail from Middlebury Gap to Rt 2 or the Hundred Mile wilderness. Can't decide.

[pechelman]

Smoky Mountain Natl Park - Alum Cave Trail and Chimney Tops

Zion Natl Park - Angels Landing (yes its touristy I suppose, but still really cool)

Havent explored as much as I would have liked yet in CO, but South Boulder Peak was fun.

edit: those are all day hikes.
and your pics are huuuuge

[Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo]

For sentimental reasons almost any stretch of the AT in Virginia. I know its crowded but that is where I grew up and learned about backpacking and backcountry travel so it will always hold a special spot in my heart. Old Rag in VA is another fun/crowded one I will always like. In CO I am not sure I could pick one yet, still exploring.

[MassLiberal]

For sentimental reasons almost any stretch of the AT in Virginia. I know its crowded but that is where I grew up and learned about backpacking and backcountry travel so it will always hold a special spot in my heart. Old Rag in VA is another fun/crowded one I will always like. In CO I am not sure I could pick one yet, still exploring.

Unfortunately, I've never had the chance to hike the AT in Virginia. The only time I was anywhere close I was working on a campaign, and didn't have time to eat let alone hike. I definitely want to get back there and check out the goods.

[Theodore]

Huntingtons was a lot of fun. Becky Falls in Dartmoor in jolly ol England was enjoyable too, but thats also for sentimental reasons...

[steve]

bear mountain new york, not because it's more interesting/challenging/secluded/rewarding as other mountains further north, but because it's a great 1-hour workout with a nice view at the top. plus it's 20 minutes from my house. bonus points for proximity. yup. woot.

a lot cheaper than a gym membership, too!

I have to watch out though.. the 1300 ft elevation sometimes gives me nosebleeds.

[MakersTeleMark]

bear mountain new york, not because it's more interesting/challenging/secluded/rewarding as other mountains further north, but because it's a great 1-hour workout with a nice view at the top. plus it's 20 minutes from my house. bonus points for proximity. yup. woot.

a lot cheaper than a gym membership, too!

I have to watch out though.. the 1300 ft elevation sometimes gives me nosebleeds.

Anthony's Nose is a much better hike.

Steve, you should check out Gertrude's Nose in New Paltz.

[MakersTeleMark]

My all time favorite hike is Tenaya Canyon from the lake to the village.

My favorite in the Whites is Mt. Moriah.

[steve]

Anthony's Nose is a much better hike.

I want to maximize my vertical.. bear has an extra 200 feet. (:

actually, I've not yet done tony's nose.. nor popolopen torne.. I'd like to do both. soon.
It's funny you mentioned new paltz.. I just bought a gunks trail map three days ago.. I was going to head up one of these weekends.
perhaps I'll check out gertrudes..

-steve

[Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo]

Unfortunately, I've never had the chance to hike the AT in Virginia. The only time I was anywhere close I was working on a campaign, and didn't have time to eat let alone hike. I definitely want to get back there and check out the goods.

You definitely should. Its humid in the summer(what else is new) but some of the more remote stretches can be uncrowded. There were even some weekends in high school we would hit some sections right off Skyline Drive(also beautiful) and not see but maybe one or two other people. I guess they figure why hike when you can catch the views from your car. Their loss is our gain.

[StormRider]

Whites – It will always be the Tucks route to the summit of Washington. Tucks is a bit of a home away from home away from home…

Wasatch – From Alta up to Catherine’s Pass down to Brighton across the parking lot up the Millicent side of Brighton and down Grizzle Gulch. It’s better as a trail run than a hike.

JH – Probably Jackson Peak but I’ve got a few on the list for this year that may top it.

[MassLiberal]

You definitely should. Its humid in the summer(what else is new) but some of the more remote stretches can be uncrowded. There were even some weekends in high school we would hit some sections right off Skyline Drive(also beautiful) and not see but maybe one or two other people. I guess they figure why hike when you can catch the views from your car. Their loss is our gain.

I guess that's the way it works, huh? Oh well, I', glad a lot of people stay in their cars, more solitude for me.

[nhtele]

Weekend:

Pemigewasset Loop. NH

From the Lincoln Woods Lot Hike over the Franconia Ridge and Garfield and stay at Garfield camp site, then head beack out over Guyot and the Bonds, Truly amazing hike. You'll see a lot of people on the first section, but not too many on the second. (will add photos later)

Sounds more like a dayhike to me

[MassLiberal]

It's been done in a day. But it's such a beautiful hike, you might want to do it in two first, especially since it's 34 miles.

On that note.... You down for an attempt this summer?????

[rideit]

The 'W', Torres Del Paine, Chile

Cordillera Blanca, Huascaran, Peru

Table mountain, Tetons

Skafell Peak, lake District, England

[MassLiberal]

The 'W', Torres Del Paine, Chile

I had that view from my tent for 1/2 a month while I was doin a biodiversity study on pumas in Torres Del Paines in January 06. Talk about awesome.

[rideit]

It would be an INCREDIBLE planet, if it weren't for all those silly humans.


(Puma studies in Patagonia? How many are left?....I was there in December, and my guide told me I had shot the last one....LIAR! )

[MassLiberal]

My friend got pretty close to getting eaten by one.

Though I was technically part of the Biodiversity study, my role was limited to walking around and collecting puma scat. I sorta stretched the truth in order to get in on the trip (a science background was necessary to be involved on the trip, so I said that I was an "anthropology" student, I just neglected to mention that I was a "cultural," and not a "physical" anthropologist)

[MuleSkinner]

I second Table Mountain. Also, Death Caynon to Cascade Canyon in GTNP and any part of the Teton Crest Trail and for dog friendly hikes - Jackson Peak and the Sleeping Indian.

[BeanDip4All]

Mount Katahdin, ME

Though it's really a day hike, the distance travelled to get there makes it an all weekend experience. It feels like a western Mountain, and if you hike it in the fall you get to see AT thru Hikers finishing an epic journey (as well as astounding colors). The best route up is the Helon Taylor trail and Knife's edge to the summit. It can be a bit scary on windy days, but the experience is unforgetable.

Pemigewasset Loop. NH

From the Lincoln Woods Lot Hike over the Franconia Ridge and Garfield and stay at Garfield camp site, then head beack out over Guyot and the Bonds, Truly amazing hike. You'll see a lot of people on the first section, but not too many on the second. (will add photos later)

Also a fan of those two. I'll throw in hiking up the back of Cannon Mt. and then over to the Mittersill. Coppermine trail takes you to Bridaveil Falls- nice day hike.

Did Wittenberg in NY this weekend and the views were nice, but... feh...all those rolling green hills- it really made me really miss the white mountains.

[benDover]

Pennsy--Bear's Rocks.....great in the fall on a full moon. Makes Allentown and Betheham look not so dismal.

Whites--second the tuck's all the way, that's where I proposed to my wife. Second anny on Monday!

Maine--Katadin of course, but a close second to Beehive Buttress/Mount Champlain Trail in Acadia. Double Top in Baxter State Park is also sweet if the Katadin parking is full.

Montana--Emerald Lake, Mount Blackmore, and a sweet stash on Dudley Creek to Wilson Peak.

But, my all time favorite is Mount Olympus in the Olympics. Great animals, great views, lots of challenges, but bring a raincoat!

[steve]

Did Wittenberg in NY this weekend and the views were nice, but... feh...all those rolling green hills- it really made me really miss the white mountains.

Wittenberg was actually my first catskills hike.. 5 years ago now.
It still is one of my favorite hikes in the area - but yeah - the catskills in general doesn't really hold a candle to other parts in the northeast, to speak nothing about california.

[Kiki]

I am a big fan of my sled!!! "I love the smell of 2 stroke in the morning"

[nick > jesus]

buchanan pass to saw tooth mountain, me and Adam plan it ski it this winter, beautiful hike in the summer, wilderness area, no bike no motors, its nice.

[nick > jesus]

Shit, sorry bout the size, but i really like that picture and don't know how to re-size