With modest grades and an overall easy trail, Tom, Field, and Willey make for a New England Classic.
The 48
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A tough hike that yields little in the way of boundless views. But it remains a classic hike.
Hiking from Webster to Eisenhower is a long hike, but on a clear day, nothing can be more rewarding.
The traverse of Wildcat-Carter-Moriah is long and arduous. But its component parts are worth returning to for all the right reasons.
Owl’s Head is longer, steeper, and more strenuous than you’d imagine, but the long walk in is serene, with many gurgling brooks as your soundtrack.
Owl’s Head is far enough into the Pemigewasset Wilderness that you need to take weather changes into account. But even though you may not summit, you might just find a few pleasant surprises along the way.
On the summit, Mt Isolation feels just that. But on the way up, you can enjoy some of the most breathtaking views that more than make up for the difficulty of the hike.
A year later and I find Mt Carrigain is no less strenuous. But on a clear day, the view stretches for miles, and takes in nearly all of the four thousand footers.
Waumbek is one of the shortest four thousand footers, but also really sweet, and along with its companion Starr-King, doesn’t disappoint.
A year later, I manage almost an exact repeat of the Hancocks. But with much more sunshine, and longer views.
Osceola from Tripoli Road is an easier hike than from Greely Pond. But it’s no less thrilling, especially heading over to East Osceola via the infamous chimney.
Mt Cabot is that odd-duck of the 48. Not particularly high, viewless, and it’s a very long way away. But sometimes that’s exactly what you need.