Choose Your Own Adventure in New Hampshire's White Mountains National Forest

Every hiker knows the feeling of cresting a high point you’ve been working toward for the past few hours—or even days. Look out and the whole world unfolds before you, opportunity in every direction. Where will you go? At the end of New Hampshire’s Jewell Trail, already 4 miles in and having gained 2,800 feet, there are two good options. You could head north on the Gulfside Trail along the spine of the Presidentials’ Jefferson, Adams, and Madison (pictured). Or, you could do as photographer Harry Lichtman did, and take it south up 6,289-foot Mt. Washington, less than a mile away. Either way, Lichtman recommends an alpine start to avoid summer’s crowds. Set aside more time than you think you’ll need, too: You’ll want to linger on the ridge.