Trail Distance: Up to 8.9 miles
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Terrain Rating: Difficult because of slippery rocks and ledges
Time In: 10AM
Time Out: 1:30PM
Trailhead: Near Millinocket, ME. From ME 11 and turn on the Katahdin Iron Works Road. Follow this road for 6.8 miles to the gatehouse. Register with the caretake and pay the gate fee.
Trail Distance: 4.4 miles (book), 6.7 miles (MapMyHike)
Elevation Gain: 1,800 ft (book), 1,663 ft (MapMyHike)
Terrain Rating: Intermediate
Time In: 9:31AM
Time Out: 1PM
Conditions: Very icy, drifted snow
Trailhead: The trailhead is at the end of the Welch-Dickey Parking Lot. From 93-N, take Exit 28 and head towards Waterville Valley on Route 49 East. Take a left onto Upper Mad River Road and then a right onto Orris Road. Parking fee is $3.
Trail Distance: 5.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 2400'
Terrain Rating: Easy
Hike In: 9:15AM
Hike Out: 2:23PM
Snow Conditions: Packed powder, dry snow
Winter Gear: Microspikes recommended; barebooting ok
Trailhead: Behind the train tracks at the AMC Highland Center off Route 302. Look through the trees for a trail sign. You can park at the AMC Highland Center and then walk to the train tracks.
Trail Distance: 6.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 2350'
Terrain Rating: Average
Hike In: 9:34AM
Hike Out: 2:43PM
Snow Conditions: Packed powder, light rain/snow
Winter Gear: Some with snowshoes, others with just boots.
Mount Pierce is a great winter hiking option for beginner winter hikers. The trail is very straight forward and the terrain is usually easy/average because of frequent use. The hike is a gradual 3.2 miles up and it reaches a not so obvious summit at Mt Pierce. From there, you can either continue onto Eisenhower, Washington, or turn back around.
Trip length: 2 days
Trip distance: 24.6 miles
Terrain Rating: Easy/Medium
Day 1 Hike In: 8:36AM
Day 1 Hike Out: 3:15PM
Day 2 Hike In: 8:51AM
Day 2 Hike Out: 2:30PM
The loop trip begins at Smokemont Campground, a popular campground through the Blue Ridge Highway. The trail entrance is by the F campsites. For the first 1.5 mi, you will follow a wide horse trail (watch out for the poop!).
Trail Distance: 8.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 3350'
Terrain Rating: Difficult
Hike In: 8:30AM
Hike Out: 2:52PM
Trailhead: Lafaytte Place Parking Lot in Franconia Notch on I-93.
Trail Distance: ~7 miles
Elevation Gain: minimal
Terrain Rating: Above Average
Hike In: 8 AM
Hike Out: 2:05PM
Trailhead: The river begins in the small town of Sanjhan or Pratan. Ask around for the river - it's quite famous and the locals are extremely friendly.
Bryce Canyon is one of the many national parks in Utah. It's extremely unique and beautiful, as it's covered with hoodoos. The park is small and can be done in either 1 or 2 days. As with many national parks, it can be very touristy.
