For those living in Boston, day trips to the White Mountains can be exhausting. If you had a gathering with friends late Friday night and want to do a Saturday hike, it means getting up at 5AM on only a couple hours of sleep. I've started to do fewer day hikes and have turned them into longer weekend adventures.
Mount Hale is easily accessed from Zealand Road in the summer, making for an easy 4.6 mile hike. Unfortunately Zealand Road was still closed as of April 28, so we had to summit from the other side using an unofficial trail called Fire Warden's Trail.
Trail Distance: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 2650'
Terrain Rating: Easy Side of Moderate
Hike In: 11AM
Hike Out: 4:05PM
Trail Distance: 8.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 2600'
Terrain Rating: Moderate
Hike In: 9AM
Hike Out: 2:15PM
What: Lonesome Lake Hut is a beautiful Appalachian Mountain Club hut located in Franconia Notch. There is a main dining room filled with games, and several bunk cabins (not-heated). No dogs allowed unfortunately.
Trail Distance: 4.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1370'
Terrain Rating: Moderate
Hike In: 8:45AM
Hike Out: 11:15AM
Trail Distance: 7.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2450'
Terrain Rating: Moderate
Hike In: 9:56AM
Hike Out: 2:02PM
Trail Distance: ~23 miles (according to MapMyHike)
Elevation Gain: ~9000ft
Terrain Rating: Difficult
Hike In: 4:30AM
Hike Out: 8:15PM
Trail Distance: 10.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 4250'
Terrain Rating: Moderate
Hike In: 8:19AM
Hike Out: 2:34PM
Trail Distance: 10 miles
Elevation Gain: 3250'
Terrain Rating: Moderate
Hike In: 9:04AM
Hike Out: 4PM (with 1.5 hour lunch break)
