Least favorite trails in the Whites

[dr_wu002]

No such thing as a bad trail... or bad weather... If I'm out and about, it's a good thing!

I'll second this sentiment. The trails all have their own charms, I guess. I've had a lousy time on trails before but mainly because I've been tired & worn out. I like some trails more than others but I can't think of one I hate. I guess the question asks for 'least favorite' though. I came down the Osgood Trail, twice, in the dark and at the end of long and difficult hikes. The descent, once you get below treelilne, is very long and steep. It's fairly easy but those two times it seemed to go on forever. I should like to do it in better circumstances. The Paraphet Trail around Madison is not a good alternative to going over Madison unless it's bad weather. The perspective it offers is not entirely interesting. Staying on Crawford Path around Monroe is interesting... the views from there are different than from Monroe Summit and spectacular. Crawford Path around Eisenhower is somewhat boring.

That's my take... no trails that I hate but if I'm going to admit that I like some more than others I can reveal some of the parts of trails that didn't exactly get my blood flowing!

-Dr. Wu

 

[Sleeping Giant]

I'll second the lower part of the Tuckerman trail. It's a road filled with boulders that just keeps going up without a break for 2 miles. It's tolerable only because it's the price you have to pay for getting to the good stuff. But downhill for me it's the worst, because my legs are shot from usually a full day on high and yet the most efficient way to descend is to rock hop. And, of course, it never ends.

 

[MadRiver]

Let’s see:

1. Zeacliff Trail: nothing more than a guided bushwhack.
2. Descending Six Husbands in a snow storm: my bad.
3. Ascending Hincks Trail in knee deep snow: my bad again
4. The Link Trail: enough said.
5. Cedar Brook Trail with full pack: too many blowdowns to count.
6. The lower half of Boott Spur: needs maintenance

 

[injektilo]

Parapet Trail. It appears to have never been completed, and never will. Steve

I couldn't agree more... this is easily my least favorite trail that I've been on in the whites.

 

[amstony]

The Kinsman Ridge Trail from N. Kinsman to Cannon. Don't have my maps with me but the stretch from Fishing Jimmy (?) to the summit of Cannon was awful. Did it as part part of a N/S Kinsman and Cannon traverse out of Lafetyette CG.

No maintenance, no hikers passing by, and bad terrain...... that was 2 years ago, hopefully it is better today. Man that S*#$%^d. Then others telling me that trail is awful didn't help...........

 

[Puck]

I am in the "Its all good" camp. On the long flat hikes in the Pemi I chat with my companion. If I am alone there are pletny of birds that pop out or hide and sing. The rest is a challenge..hey I am not at work nor am I doing house chores.

There are no bad trails, only bad boots.

 

[SherpaKroto]

Tried to think of one that I dislike strongly enough to post - couldn't really come up with one. King Ravine trail from the Spur trail to Lowe's Path in spring can be a bit wet and tedious (but I still had a blast both times I've been on it!)

 

[cooperhill]

I vote for the section of the Long Trail in the Breadloaf Wilderness between Emily Proctor and Glen Cooley. There were a ton of blowdowns, PUDs (pointless ups and downs) and false summits. I think my physical condition on a particular day affects my "like" or "dislike" of a trail.

 

[grouseking]

Hancock Notch Trail....thru the notch

Do not get me wrong, this trail is absolutely beautiful. It rough, fun, and not too steep so you can enjoy the scenery. But it is very hard to follow just after the height of land. I went on a very rainy and dark day and we couldn't find the trail for a good 15-20 min. It just seemed to disappear over and over. Plus it was pouring and I was slipping everywhere. Finally we found it....which happened to be a streambed for the most part! Then down we descended till we had to cross the river 5 times, which were 5 of the most difficult crossings of my life. It was just rough all around. I cursed the whole thing, but when I finished, I was proud to have made it cause it really was quite dangerous for a time, especially the crossings. Would I go back..........maybe in dry weather! But not in bad weather and definitely not alone.

grouseking

 

[Lizzy]

What I said about Tuck's only applied to the part form Lion's Head junction back to Pinkham. Descending. Should've gone down Boott Spur, I guess.

But I agree with everyone who says it's way better to be slogging thru some rough stuff than stuck in the 9-5. Gotta stop being so negative !

 

[Camper58]

I'm in the "every trail is fun" camp too. It's just that some are more fun than others

I'll probably get lots of disagreement, but my least favorite is the lower half of the Crawford Path from Pierce down to Rt 302. It's just interminably boring, the terrain doesn't vary much, the views don't vary much.

That being said, the section above Pierce along the ridge to Washington could be counted among my favorites.

 

[slowandsteady]

But I agree with everyone who says it's way better to be slogging thru some rough stuff than stuck in the 9-5. Gotta stop being so negative !

Me too!

But I'll add to the least favorites:

Royce Trail from the intersection with Royce connector (col between East/West Royce) and Laughing Lion Trail - recently hiked in a loop from the Basin parking lot up to and along the rim trail to West Royce then on to East Royce (great views from different outlooks!). Planned to take the Royce trail back to the Basin. We were already a little tired from all of the up and downs but found the Royce Trail to be severely eroded and cluttered with dead trees from several years of storms so we bailed out to 113 via Laughing Lion and walked the 2 miles on the road instead. Nonetheless Evans Notch is beautiful and not as busy as other areas so maybe I'll volunteer to help with maintenance on that section of the trail.

North Carter Trail from Carter Moriah to Imp - found it steep and eroded and buggy after a long day on the Ridge.

Bunnel Notch - found beginning of Bunnel Notch to be ugly in April 2004 (recent logging activity, rotten snow and mud) but the upper part of the trail was beautiful (and snowshoeable).

 

[anita514]

I've only been on a few trails in the whites and so far my least favorite is the link on jefferson. yuck!

 

[Jkrew81]

I dispise the Lincoln Woods Trail because of its monotony. It's a long three miles after a long weekend of backpacking. The last time I was making my way back to cilivized country I high speeded up the trail in a fast pace and made it back in a hour.

I second this Trail. It always seems like I am on autopilot by the time I get to the bridge crossing at the flume area. Those railroad ties are not fun to walk over either when huge families are hogging the smoother sections of the trail. Nice and fast XC ski to get to Bondclif in the winter though.

 

[Lizzy]

The Link is very difficult with all the hidden roots, moss-covered rocks, constant little ups n downs, but that is also what makes it very beautiful. I hiked it once from The Castle Tr all the way to Lowe's Path, and it was very slow going, especially the first mile or so. I must've slipped and fell about a dozen times . But man, it was an experience I will never forget, and I felt like I was doing something that few other people would have had the courage to do.

 

[marty]

How does that compare with the Success Trail (also has slippery slabs)? I'm not surprised as the Carters / Mahoosucs are somewhat similar in charaacter.

Arghman, I have not done the Success Trail, so cannot compare. What I can say is that I found this very difficult in wet conditions. I know at least one VFTTer who also agrees with me on this. Regards, Marty

 

[SteveHiker]

I vote for the section of the Long Trail in the Breadloaf Wilderness between Emily Proctor and Glen Cooley. There were a ton of blowdowns, PUDs (pointless ups and downs) and false summits. I think my physical condition on a particular day affects my "like" or "dislike" of a trail.

Is Breadloaf seceding too?

 

[sweeper]

Going up to South Twin from Galehead Hut, with a heavy pack.
It is only about a mile, but it is a killer!!!

If you think that bad try in reverse. My knees just revolted at the memory.

 

[wolftone]

Fishin' Jimmy

Fishin' Jimmy up to the Kinsmans from 93 is my own personal enemy. Not only is it difficult and lack views, but it seems like everytime I do it the weather refuses to cooperate. Jimmy is a real ********.

 

[sweeper]

1. Twinways-Done it several times, hated each.

2. Lincolin Woods -A sleeper, but speed can be made on it.

3. Height-o-Land on Lincolin Brook, Very Wet

4. Brunel for worst maintained. I got lost twice standing in the middle of the trail it was so over grown.

5. Tuckermans -Its not the rocks that suck. Sometime I think there are more people than rocks on that trail. I only use it as a trail of last resort or very early in the morning.