Gathering 3.5 at the low Harvard Cabin, Feb 2001
Spelling out VFTT - Gourmet Hut weekend at Greenleaf, May 2005
Dinner prep - Gourmet Hut weekend at Greenleaf, May 2005
The majority of National Parks have closed - https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2020/03/coronavirus-and-national-parks-whats-closed
The remaining parks have lots of closed services and visitors centers, and there's a lot of pressure to close them completely.
They're trying to get people to avoid travel, which introduces new vectors for disease transmission. And remote rescues put a strain on already taxed healthcare systems. It's still best to stay local for your outside adventures.
The Clark Pond Loop was old AT, many moons ago. When I went to school we hiked a few remaining pieces of it but the rest had fallen into disuse. Not sure who if anyone has taken up maintenance on it, I'll check with my DOC sources.
Most of the guests in the Grant know exactly what they're doing, and have been going up there for years. In many cases, decades. The hiking trails are minimal but the bushwacking opportunities are nearly endless. Fishing and hunting also are big draws.
Nelson Ham, the caretaker when I went to...
On flat or rolling terrain, sure, they work. They will allow you to move on skis, glide where applicable, and hopefully make good time. Are they bindings for going downhill in hiking boots? Absolutely not.
The number 48 isn't part of the list, it's been 46 and 47 in the past. There's no need to replace anything. If Hight or Guyot qualify they'll be added in their own right.
But the history of the NH 4000'ers is precision, not tradition. Peaks have been removed and added in the past because of new surveys; there's no reason to change the practice now.
There are several current and former members of this forum that have had knee and hip replacements. As far as I know, all have continued hiking after appropriate rehab and recovery time.