Tuesday, March 4, 2014

First Spring Hike Planning

So I haven't been hiking in Months but I have a bunch of vacation days to use before April ends so I  am planning my next hike.  I've been working out quite a bit so I'm sure I'm in decent hiking shape so I just have to pick something. 

In looking at the NERFC Snow Depth Map for New England: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/nerfc/graphics/snowmaps/html/snow_depth.html, I figure that I'm going to have a tough time finding a snow free hike in April or even late April. 

Last Spring I did a fair amount of redlining around the East end of the Sandwitch Range and I would love to do that again.  I've completed everthing around Chocoroua and a good portion of the portions near Wonalancet but there are a lot of trails in there.  My biggest concern is the availability of packed trails.  If I'm going to go hiking, I do not want to break trail and not get anywhere. 

For a first hike I'm thinking between 3 and 5 miles.  Here's what I am thinking:
Cove Mountain - 1.4 Miles
Church Pond Loop - 2.8 Miles
Mt. Willard - 3.2 Miles
Redline Kendron Flume Trail - 3.2 Miles
Doubleheads - 3.7 Miles
Potash Mountain - 4.2 Miles
Loop over Frankenstein Cliff and Arethusa Falls - 4.7 Miles
Few Loop Trails around Pinkham Notch - 4 to 5 Miles or so.
Noon & Jennings Peak Loop - 6.0 Miles

I'm sure I will not pick until the very last second but frankly, I just love looking at maps so it's fun to put these together for me.  Maybe if I'm feeling particularly ambitious or the weather is really good and I get an early start I can do the long hike.