North East Lists

[Jim lombard]

On Saturday as my wife and I were heading to the bottom of Owlshead slide we got around to discussing lists. On this day she'd just reached her 47th of the NH 48 and had caught up to me.

Back in 2001 I hiked Cabot making that my 47th and after a couple of failed attempts at Isolation because of weather she brought up the suggestion that we should finish NH together. So anyway, I agreed and got to see some of the mountains again in different seasons. Seeing them again opened my eyes to the sheer beauty of these peaks. And so as we descended she said "after we finish on Isolation and maybe do the several peaks in Maine remaining and VT we should hike the NE Hundred Most Beautiful."

So thinking about it for a minute I could easily come up with my top five most beautiful mountains in the North East. You folks in NY will have to forgive me since I haven't been to the Adirondacks or Catskills yet but here are my top five.

#1-Katahdin on the Knifes edge, remote and rugged. Saw a falcoln soaring the thermals of a perfectly blue sky and listened to the sounds of a mandolin from a finishing thru-hiker.

#2-Moosilauke on Beaver brook, this mountain has so much to offer, beautiful cascades to amber sedge pasture, beautiful.

#3-Whiteface Fern Croft-Blueberry Ledge. Classic fall hike, ledges. Adding Rollins to Passaconaway makes it even better.

#4-Mt Adams-many trails, so rugged and magical. Was up there on the eve of the March Lion storm of 2001, just amazing.

#5-Mt Lafayette-I know, lots of people, crowded trails but this mountain holds a place in my heart. After 4 attempts I have yet to summit in winter.

What are your top five? I guess what I'm looking for is a reason to go see some other mountains I wouldn't normally go to.

 

[TenPeaks]

A few beautiful peaks that come to mind for me are:

- The Bonds - I was going to list them separately since each has its unique characteristics and beautiful views. No matter how you get there the rewards are worth it. However, I will say West Bond is my favorite because of the way it juts out into the Pemi. It's like being on the bow of a ship with the entire world wrapped around you.

- West Bigelow and Avery Peak in Maine - Awesome views from the summits and a beautiful area to hike or backpack into.

- South Twin - This peak held my favorite view until I visited West Bond. It's also a great hike to the summit no matter which way you approach it.

Outside of the 4,000 footers I'd add:

- Mt. Chocorua - It's crowded, but a terrific little mountain. A great mountain to bring a newby.

- The Moats - No crowds and views that surpass many of the larger mountains in the Whites.

- Mts. Crawford and Avalon - Located on opposite ends of Crawford Notch I could just sit on either peak all day and stare down into the valley.

- Cherry Mountain and Owl's Head - Not the Owl's Head on the 4,000 footer list, this peak is much easier to get to and has a great view of the Presidential Range.

Man, I need to get out for another hike soon!

 

[sp1936]

My list will be even more limited than yours, since all I know are NH mountains, and I don't know anywhere near all of those. A couple of my favorites are not very big, but very beautiful.

1. Adams
2. N. Moat (w/Red Ridge)
3. Lafayette
4. Crawford
5. Madison

Subject to change without notice.

 

[Peakbagr]

But not in order:

1. Noonmark
2. Dix
3. Haystack
4. Mt Adams (ADKs)
5. Giant-Rocky Peak ridge traverse
6. Pyramid Peak
7. Pinnacle
8. Macomb
9. Jay Range
10. Santanoni

 

[trailbiscuit]

1. West Bond
2. Katahdin
3. Carrigain
4. Isolation
5. South Brother

List subject to change at my whim.

 

[Big Oaf]

1. W. Bond
2. Munroe
3. Adams
4. Garfield
5. Avalon

 

[JohnL]

In no particular order:

Katahdin via Knife Edge
Bigelows via FireWarden's Trail
South Kinsman from the south
Lafayette via Skookumchuck & Garfield Ridge
The Bonds in the winter

JohnL

 

[Gris]

I haven't seen anywhere near all of the Whites, but so far (in no particular order):

West Bond
South Twin
North Lafayette (Skook junction overlook)

Sure I will add Moosilauke & the N. Presis when I get around em!

Gris

 

[Jim lombard]

I was just telling someone that of all the mountains outside the Adirondacks, the only three that really are calling out to me to climb them are:

Alpine, I'd enjoy hearing about those inside of the Adirondaks as well, I've never been there but will have to someday.

I'm already seeing some mountains listed here I will have to explore. I did Avalon as a side when doing the 3-4,000 footers on that ridge, I would definitely have to add that, The Horn also.

 

[Jean]

1) Katahdin via Knife Edge
2) Bondcliff
3) Haystack (NY)
4) Adams (NH)
5) Bigelows

 

[cooperhill]

in no particular order:

1. Bondcliff
2. Glastenbury Mountain, VT
3. Camels Hump, VT
4. Gap Mt., NH
5. Carrigan

 

[SteveHiker]

I just finished the 48 in NH on Saturday, here's my take. Granted I didn't see a view from all of the 48 because some were in the fog when I got to the top, so some other people's favorites might be missing from my list.

1. the Bonds
2. Moriah
3. South Twin
4. Owl's Head (just checking if you were paying attention)
5. Ascutney

say what, what's that last one doing on this list? I can't help it. I've probably been on the summit 15 or 20 times over the years. The view from Brownsville Rock is by far my favorite view. I used to know where to look to see my parents' house from there.

 

[SherpaKroto]

All of them!

The favorites that come to mind (no order):

Adams - anytime
Jefferson - anytime
The Horn (NH, but Saddleback Horn in ME is pretty fine also!)
Camel's Hump
Katahdin - any route
Doubletop (ME: BSP)
Tumbledown (ME)
Baldpate (ME)
Goose Eye (ME)
BaldFace (N&S)
Monroe
Bigelows and the Horns
West Bond, particularly on a sunny winter day
Colden
Skylight

I'd better stop - Owl's Head was looking mighty fine yesterday

 

[Danielle]

This is a tough one! Wow, it's hard to figure out the top 5, but here's my take...

1. Katahdin
2. West Bond, particularly on a nice day at dusk
3. Moosilauke with all its high grasses blowing in the breeze
4. Isolation
5. Madison especially in the fall

Of course, we haven't yet done the Bigelows, and haven't been to the Horn (NH) on a sunny day, or done the whole list (we just finished #73), so this list may change, but then, isn't that the fun of it?!

This really makes me want the week to fly by so we can get out and hike this weekend!
-Danielle

 

[Tramper Al]

My top 5

In no particular order, and subject to revision at any time:

1. Camel's Hump, Vermont's finest peak, to finish a brilliant solo LT tour of the Monroe Skyline.

2. Old Speck, July, my first daybreak NE 4K.

3. Elephant from the AT/Clearwater Brook, my toughest solo bushwhack.

4. North Brother in winter, very memorable though I still don't fully understand why.

5. Mt. Success, NH Mahoosucs, completing the NH AT with my Dad last month.

 

[tycho_32]

Moosilauke--I love this mountain and hike it at least once a year
Carrigain
The Bonds--blew out my knee on this one but the views were great
Eisenhower--I love coming out of the trees on the side of the mountain and seeing the grand sweeping view
Osceola

 

[funkyfreddy]

some of my favorites.....

NH
1. South and North Twin
2. Mt. Moosilauke
3. Mt. Hight
4. Mt. Guyot
5. Mt. Nancy
6. Mt. Adams
7. Mt. Carrigain
8. The Horn
9. Mt. Chocorua
10. Mt. Lafayette
11. Mt. Monadnock (not for views so much as for memories.......)

Maine
1. Bigelows (do all of them, including the horns!)
2. Mt. Katahdin
3. N. Brother
4. Sentinel Mountain
5. Schoodic Mountain
6. Mt. Abraham
7. Mt. Saddleback
8. Sargent and Penobscot Mountains
9. many more for sure..................

Catskills
1. Ashokan High Point
2. Kaaterskill High Peak
3. Peekamoose
4. Doubletop
5. Slide, Cornell, Wittenberg (should be hiked together, an unbeatable combination!)
6. West Kill
7. Lone
8. Hunter
9. The Blackheads
10. Overlook
11. Plateau
12. Panther, Giant's Ledge
13. Indian Head

Vermont
1. Camel's Hump

Adirondacks
1. Gothics
2. Big Slide
3. Haystack
4. Iroquois

Still have a lot of exploring to do in the NE, especially in Vermont and the ADK's. Going back to Maine and Baxter soon, can't wait!!

 

[Jim lombard]

Thanks everybody, I now have new peaks to explore when I get back to America.

Moats range
Mt Crawford
Ascutney
Gap
Bigelows
Camels Hump
Haystack
Dix
Old Speck
North Brother

I've seen the Bigelow range from a hike over Sugarloaf and have always wanted to climb that.

It's amazing how many votes the Bonds got so far, definitely in my top ten also. Of my three trips two were cloudy, I LOVE West Bond. Katahdin was also popular, a dream come true for me to hike via the Knife's Edge on a sparkling September day. Tumbledown also is an amazing place, hard to find though.

Nobody picked Mt Marcy?? Is it too much like the Mt Washington zoo?

 

[ADK4Life]

This is in no real order

1. Adams (Any route)
2. Jefferson VIA Caps Ridge (The trail is very easy and exposure is full after whirlpool ledge)
3. Noonmark (Best little mountain for approach and summit views)
4. Lafayette VIA Bridal Path (Even if this route is populated the views unfold at the right times, it makes this trail very easy)
5. Kathadin

Honorable mention

Algonquin
Cascade
Giant
Chocura