Backpacker Magazine – June 2008

Trip Finder: Ridgewalks

From the West Coast to the Rocky Mountains to New England, we've got nine epic ridgewalks just for you.

by: Drea Knufkin

West Coast | Rocky Mountains | New England

                                                                                                                        Bigelow Preserve
                                                                                                                    Photo by Tim Seaver

NEW ENGLAND

2 DAYS
Bondcliff, NH
The summit of 4,698-foot Mt. Bond is on every New Englander's best-of list. Or should be. From Hancock Campground near Lincoln, take the Wilderness Trail 4.7 pine-shaded miles to the Bondcliff Trail, where the climbing starts. You'll gain 2,650 feet on the way to Bondcliff's apex for uninterrupted White Mountain views with no roads in sight. Go two more miles to the Guyot Campsite, a 12-person shelter with five tent sites. fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_mountain

3 DAYS
Bigelow Preserve, ME
Discover the Bigelow Mountains, a favorite secret of local hikers. This range has Katahdin-like exposure (12 miles of trail above treeline) yet only a fraction of the more famous peak's traffic. From ME 27/16, 0.5 miles east of Stratton, take the Bigelow Mountain Trail west to Horn's Pond Lean-to. Tackle the remaining 14 miles over two days (camp at Safford Notch and Little Bigelow), enjoying spruce- and lake-filled scenes along the way. state.me.us

                                                                                                                Presidential Range
                                                                                                                Photo by Tim Seaver

4 Days
Presidential Range, NH
End to end, this 25.5-mile traverse from Pinkham Notch to Crawford Notch delivers a classic tour of Presidential highlights. You'll bag up to eight 4,000-foot peaks and spend nearly the entire trek above treeline. Reserve Madison, Lake of the Clouds, and Mizpah Springs Huts (check outdoors.org for rates and reservations). Wake early on day two to summit Mt. Washington.

West Coast | Rocky Mountains | New England

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