Hike the White Mountains, New Hampshire, USA

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WHAT MAKES THIS AREA UNIQUE?
If you thought the East Coast had no brag-worthy peaks, you'll change your mind as you sit atop South Twin Mountain, watching the sun light endless ranges ablaze, clouds drifting below you and the outline of Mt. Washington appearing and disappearing from view in the distance. Steep, engaging climbs set the White Mountains apart from their taller west coast cousins, and the proximity of alpine vegetation will give you a good chance to spot a moose, an owl, or a pileated woodpecker.

WHAT YOU’LL SEE: deciduous and evergreen forest, alpine bog, moose, owl, snakes, red squirrel.

TERRAIN: mountain, bog.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: June-August

ROUTE OPTIONS

Y Day Trip
Y Weekend Trip
Y 4 to 7-Day Trip
Y 7 to 14-Day Trip
N Loop Trip
Y Shuttle Service Nearby

POTENTIAL HAZARDS: exposed sections of trail, treacherous footing, navigational experience required.

WHERE TO FIND MAPS/CHARTS: atctrailstore.org

PERMITS REQURED? No, but there is a per-person fee (cash only) at most established campsites. Ethical scout camping is allowed; rules apply.

PETS ALLOWED? Yes. Rules apply

WHITE MOUNTAINS 7-DAY ITINERARY: 54.9 miles TOTAL

Day 1
Park your car at Pinkham Notch, Gorham, NH. Get a shuttle to Liberty Springs trailhead parking.
Hike 1 mile on paved pathway from parking lot to Liberty Springs Trail/AT.
Hike 2.7 miles on AT to Liberty Spring Campsite (fee).

Day 2
Hike 7.6 miles to Garfield Ridge Campsite (fee).

Day 3
Hike 14.5 miles to Ethan Pond Campsite (fee).

Day 4
Free day. We recommend a free day to give more flexibility to this hike in case of storms or other unforeseen events.

Day 5
Hike 9.3 miles to Nauman Campsite (fee).

Day 6
Hike 9.8 miles to scout camp (Dispersed hammocks or solo tents only. Rules apply.) in Gulfside Spring region.
OR
Hike 11.8 miles plus 0.6 mile side trail to camp at VW Tent Site.

Day 7
Hike remaining miles to your car at Pinkham Notch.

LOCAL SHUTTLE SERVICE
AMC Hiker Shuttle, (603) 466-2727
Shuttle runs June through mid-September; weekends through mid-October. Groups should schedule a shuttle in advance.

INFORMATION

White Mountains National Forest Service Office, (603) 745-3816

OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THIS AREA

Canoeing, kayaking, SUP, tubing, snow sports.

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