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Backpacker Magazine – May 2009
America's Best Dayhikes: Northeast
From blueberry picking in New York and New Hampshire to pure solitude in New Hampshire and Maine, moose sitings in Vermont, and peaks in New York, these the hikes feature the best of the Northeast.
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BLUEBERRIES
The Brothers, NY 10.3 miles (Hard)
This classic Adirondack loop is well worth doing without the sweet reward you'll find in berry season. Add the bonanza awaiting on a series of open ledges on Big Slide Mountain, a mile from the start, and this is the region's premier late-summer trek. It's a stiff 2.6-mile climb, including a series of wooden ladders, to the 4,199-foot summit. On top, the vista encompasses Mts. Marcy, Giant, Algonquin, and other High Peaks. Continue over Yard Mountain, then descend to Johns Brook Lodge, the Adirondack Mountain Club's historic outpost, on the way out. Season May-October
Info (518) 897-1276
Percival-Morgan Loop, NH 5.5 miles (Moderate)
The ridge separating the peaks of Percival and Morgan confronts hikers with this dilemma: Look down to grab handfuls of sweet blueberries, left for a jaw-dropping view of Franconia Ridge, or right across the entire lakes region? Fortunately, "all of the above" is a fine choice. Both summits are more than 2,000 feet high, and the loop route along the Crawford-Ridgepole Trail includes a descent down three ladders on a 50-foot wall of rock.
Season May-November
Info (603) 968-7336
Bear Meadows, PA 3.5 miles (Easy)
One of the largest freshwater bogs in the East harbors a bountiful blueberry hike: Pick fruit along most of this loop as you watch for red-eyed vireos, hooded warblers, and scarlet tanagers–just three of the 88 bird species that breed here. The path tunnels through dense rhododendrons and hemlock trees up to 1,000 years old.
Season April-November
Info (814) 643-2340
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READERS COMMENTS
Probably my favorite short day-hike in New Hampshire is Mount Chocorua. Completely exposed summit cone, blueberries on the top half of the mountain. Pretty sweet for a couple hours of work.
Of course, the ultimate day hike in New Hampshire is a Presi Traverse. Do it in early summer to get maximum daylight and minimum chance of freak winter storms. Seeing people's reactions on the ridge when you say you're hiking the whole thing in one day is also a highlight. Usually a mix of, "oh that's pretty cool/hide the kids because this person is insane"
There are a lot of great hikes here in the northeast and many are mentioned in this article. My favorite hike which will stretch the day hike category is the Bondcliff/Bond range in NH. One only needs to go there once an experience the 360 degree views of the White mountains plus the spectaculer rock outcroppings to appreciate it's beauty.
The early part of the hike is on a flat road until you meet the trail junction for Bondcliff. From there the trail gradually assends to the "cliffs" getting more difficult as you get nearer the summitt. Allow a full day for this hike so you can spend lots of time on the ridges and cliffs. I give it a difficult rating based on the length of the trip.
Lest anyone else think they might sight a moose on the way to Moose Mountain, our recent trip there revealed no sign of moose let alone sightings. There was nary a print or poop to be found. Folks we met on the trail that frequented the area said they have never spotted a moose there in years. The hike is still quite pleasant. We took our 5 year old who negotiated it quite readily...just don't promise a moose before you go!
The Franconia Ridge route is terrific. Definitely in my top 10, including western peaks as well as eastern. You can make it a loop by ascending the Falling Waters Trail and returning via the Greenleaf and Old Bridle Path trails. You must be in decent shape. Don't forget to eat a good hearty breakfast. (I blew that only once!)
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