Easter in the Whites.

[Neil]

Over the easter weekend (ie. from Thursday to Monday) my wife and I plan on doing some hiking in the Whites and I'm looking for some advice.

We would like to stay in a decent motel with a kitchen, somewhere close to the Northern Presidentials or Franconia Ridge. She has never hiked in the Whites before and I'm thinking of taking her over Franconia Ridge, up onto the Northern Presis (Adams and Jefferson at least) and maybe, if it isn't too long a haul, to Bondcliff.

Pretty tough to know what the trails will be like nearly a month from now but what would the recommended (ie. easiest and/or most scenic) routes be for Franconia and Madison, Adams and Jefferson. The 3 Presis would not be done in one day. Is Castellated Ridge a good choice? Is the Jewel Trail parking area open in winter? How about Ridge of the Caps?

Another possibility would be to drive over and do the BaldFaces.

Many thanks! Also I'm open to any other suggestions.

 

[Chip]

We would like to stay in a decent motel with a kitchen, somewhere close to the Northern Presidentials or Franconia Ridge.

The Beacon in Lincoln has cottages with "kitchens", small screened porches, ability to grill outside the cottage, etc and there's restaurants there if you don't feel like cooking breakfast or dinner. Very convenient to Franconia (just below Indian Head/Flume). Bit of a drive to Appalachia, though. The cottages are a bit dated but clean and comfortable.

 

[Tom Rankin]

I wish I could remember the name of it, but the place just West of the 4 Seasons on Twin Mt. has kitchen units. Convenient, and close to the Pressies and the Frankies!

Jewell is open (Cog). Caps Ridge is not open right now, but you never know!

 

[Neil]

I wish I could remember the name of it, but the place just West of the 4 Seasons on Twin Mt. has kitchen units. Convenient, and close to the Pressies and the Frankies!

Jewell is open (Cog). Caps Ridge is not open right now, but you never know!

One of these?

Anyway, it looks like Twin Mtn. is the best place to stay.
Someone from Fousderando did Jefferson via the Castle Trail on Saturday.

 

[Raven]

Hi Neil,

For the Northern Pressies, the easiest way up Madison is Valley Way to the hut and then up the Osgood Trail. Almost doesn't feel like a 5,000-footer on this route - it won't need breaking out. Most scenic on Madison is a judgment call but I like a combination of Fallsway, Inlook Trail over Dome Rock, to Kelton trail through nice evergreen forest, to Watson Path and a good above treeline climb then down and out the easier Osgood/Valley Way Combo. This route passes a good amount of waterfalls that should be running nicely in a month. The Howker Ridge is also a great approach, but harder and longer than some. These last couple are not as well traveled.

For Jefferson, the Castle Trail is great.

Adams and Madison are nice to combine if you have the legs on your given day. They're fairly close together. Jefferson is good on its own.

On Adams, the Airline is a great route and I'd guess the most popular. Good stretch above treeline with nice views afar and into King Ravine. It's no more difficult than the other routes up Adams. Serrated ridge near the top of the ravine. To combo A and M, try Airline up Adams first, over and up Madison (Gulf side/Osgood) and then out Valley Way - very doable day...not easy.

Either way, these are just my opinions, but enjoy the time there and pick good weather days if you can....obviously.

I agree that Twin Mountain would make a good location to base from if you plan on the mountains you mentioned.

 

[MichaelJ]

It's almost certain that Caps Ridge will be closed. Jefferson Notch Road is always late to open in the year, generally anywhere from May to even July in bad years.

Johnson's is simple and affordable, and located right in Twin Mountain. They have nice little cottages with kitchens. They're not luxurious, but they're clean, pet-friendly, and the owners care about their business. I've stayed there on and off since 2001. It's a half-hour to Castle trailhead or Appalachia, 15 minutes to Franconia Ridge.

Pemi Cabins is located down in Lincoln, the same distance to Franconia Ridge, a 45-minute drive to the Northern Presidentials but well-suited if you want to be near shops and restaurants. They have wonderfully cute little cabins with fireplaces and kitchens, located right on the river (so the sound at night, if it's warm enough to keep the windows open, is marvelous). Also pet-friendly, and also with terrific owner/operators. I've stayed there once, Sabrina several times.

 

[Lefty E]

The trailhead for the Castle Trail (Castellated Ridge) on Rt. 2 in Randolph has been very busy this year, due to the small amount of snow that has fallen..it is usually not plowed but this year no need to plow it, and it has been busy...I have not heard or seen reports on the Baldfaces, and that area would have to been approached from the N Conway side to Rt. 113...Crawford Notch would be an option for easy to moderate with Tom, Field, and Willey and come back down to Avalon with all having winter views...or head up the Crawford Path to Pierce and if the going is good, keep going to Eisenhower for a taste of the southern presis..

 

[Tom Rankin]

One of these?

Anyway, it looks like Twin Mtn. is the best place to stay.
Someone from Fousderando did Jefferson via the Castle Trail on Saturday.

Twin Mt. Motor Court is the one I had in mind. You can stay in a cottage, or roll up your RV.

 

[Mike P.]

For a little more money, you might find a deal through homeaway.com The family is going up the Monday after Easter & for a three bedroom condo we managed to find one for that was about 150 a night. (cheaper per night than my summer trip taking the kids to their first AMC Hut but that's another tale)

113 is gated from the north so to get to Baldfaces, you have to access 113 from the south. Is your wife as accomplished as you are? (I guess I should confess to skimming your posts & not remembering who you hike with in NY)

April? in three weeks, a noreaster or two might make if feel like winter, a couple of more weeks like this (Mid-April like) and rotting snow, mud (maybe bare ground in spots) & fast stream crossings could be the order of the day.

Can't go wrong on a Franconia trip unless you go up in bad conditions, seems when weather forces people off the NP's some get an idea navigating off Lafayette in those conditions is easy. (Liberty, Garfield & Pierce all have summits somewhat similar to Casade, get out of the trees experience the bad weather & make a quick retreat back into the trees - None of the Presidentials (other than Pierce) offer quick shelter although Madison by Valley Way gets you almost to the Hut in tree cover & then about .45 to the top.

Easier to do Adams & Madison (both IMO offer a better view of Washington & the Great Gulf than Jefferson - of the 50 pictures or so on my screen saver from the Presidentials, many are from Adams, Madison, from the GG looking at Adams, a couple of summit signs, a few Washington phots & then S. Presi's. Might be a Jefferson picture mixed in but for 10 or 11 trips to Jeff's summit, there should be more)

If I was doing 4 can't miss hikes in the whites (boy would everyone's list be different) I'd try & include the following:

Franconia Ridge. (Liberty would be my maybe bad weather hike, great view if clear, maybe 60 yards of being exposed, would be hard to get lost) This may be my favorite not in BSP. If I had to pick an ADK equal, the ridge walk from Algonquin to Iroqouis but easier

Madison & or Adams In this area, Carter Dome or Moriah might be my iffy weather hikes

I'd do Carrigain over Bondcliff, With the road closed, it's a 14 mile hike Vs. the 18 to Bondcliff. both have a water crossing or two that in high water might be iffy, Bondcliff's (they never did rebuild the bridge near Franconia Falls, right? - I may go im April with the kids that far) would be trickier, IMO if fogged in, both are too long with too good of views to do on viewless days. Field & Tom are good foggy day options.

4th must do hike???? (In April) probably would depend on where I am staying. Moriah is good, Carter Dome & Hight, Southern Presidentials - Inc. Jackson, Moosilauke, Garfield, maybe even the Kinsman's so you can take in the view of Franconia from the summits & Lonesome Lake

It's all good.

 

[Tim Seaver]

Just a note - the river crossing for the Castle Trail can be "interesting" at this time of year. Probably best in the AM.

 

[Lefty E]

Yes thanks Tim and Mike for the water crossing(s) reminder as many trails do have tricky crossings this time of year....