Pushing my limits, looking for bigger loop ideas

[brobichaud]

Hello all, as the title suggests, I'm looking for some input. To give you an idea of what I'm looking for, I've lately been doing long hikes (15-17 miles), hitting multiple peaks (4000-5000+ ft of gain), and I'm wondering if anyone might have suggestions for long loops that I might not have thought of. Especially climbing familiar peaks from not so familiar trails, and increasing the mileage. I'm not opposed to having to do a car spot, but logistically speaking, if I can ride my bike to or from the trailhead, that would be better (unless someone wants to join me for a suffer-fest). I usually hike at or faster than book time on most of my hikes (except in the Presidentials), with the last two being 17 miles and ~4200 ft. of gain (book: 10:35, actual: 9:10), and 17.5 miles and ~5200 ft. of gain (book: 11:20 actual: 9:30) respectively.

I'm looking into a couple loops right now. First being a loop up Nancy Pond Trail, to Mt. Nancy, then up Desolation Trail to Carrigain and down Signal Ridge, Sawyer River Road and 302. The second being Hale, Zealand, and the Twins from North Twin Trail, up Hale Firewardens, down Lend-A-Hand, up and over on the Twinway, and across North Twin Spur and down. I'm sure there are others that I'm overlooking, but I'm trying to gear up for a half Pemi-loop (Garfield, Lafayette, Lincoln, Liberty, Flume), and perhaps a 1 day Presi traverse later in the summer or early fall.

Any suggestions?

Cheers,

Bill

 

[Hillwalker]

Going loopy

Over the past 20 years or so I have done a few fairly long bike/hike loops. Here they are somewhat in order of length.
The longest I did while still in my 50s. As I have aged, sadly they have gotten shorter.

#1 Hid my bike at the Caps Ridge trailhead and drove to The Inn Unique/Davis Path trailhead. Hiked the Davis Path over Montalban Ridge to Boott Spur then around the Summit Come on Westside Trail to Caps then back to my bike. I skipped the summit of Clay as I was feeling a wee weary. I rode the Jeff Notch and Clinton roads down to Rte 302. The slight hills on the Clinton Rd nearly did me in. However, the ride down out of "Naufords Crotch" was a major hoot.

#2 Locked up my bike on the fence at Porky Gulch in Pinkham and drove to Lowes Store, paid my fee and hiked up to Thunderstorm Junction. Proceeded over Jefferson, skipping the Adams Family and bypassing Clay and the "Rock Pile" again. Down Tucks to Porky Gulch again to retrieve my bike. Rode the bike down to Dolly Copp's then over Pinkham Base Road back to my car at Lowes.

#3 Locked my bike up at the Crawford Stationagain and drove to Dry River trailhead. Hiked up the Dry River trail to Mizpah Hut, then down to the bike for the ride down out of the notch. I really love that ride.

#4 Did the same thing, but this time took the at up over Webster Cliff, Webster Jackson to the hut and out. Another breeze ride out of the notch.

#5 Again, but this time went up the AT on the west side of the notch and did the Willy Range trail back to the bike and, you guessed it, back down the notch again.

#6 This one was all bike, with quite a bit of hiking with my bike on my shoulder. Parked at Depot Camp parking in Waterville. Rode up the Livermore Road, hiked over Livermore Pass and down to the Kanc at Lilly Pond. Rode down to a lunch in Lincoln, and then up over the Tripoli road and back to Watherville.

Always wanted to do this one: Do #6, but add going out Sawyer River Trail from the Kanc. Then on to to Rte 302 from Sawyer River Road and take Bear Notch Road back to the Kanc and then on to Waterville via Lincoln.


Never will now at nearly 73. Any takers?

 

[NeoAkela]

The Tripyramids/Whiteface/Sleepers/Passaconaway loop is a good one. Several different entry and exit trail choices, and an easy bike ride to tie it up.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Some ideas here:

http://home.earthlink.net/~ellozy/death-marches.html

I can personally vouch for the Hale/Zealand/Twins loop, via the FWT.

Tim

 

[una_dogger]

N Twin > S Twin > Bonds out and Back > Zealand > Hale > Fwd is one of my favorite bag for buck loop hikes

Some other goodies I've enjoyed include:

Franconia Ridge and Owls Head via Lincoln Slide

Monroe > Washington> Davis Path> Isolation> Engine Hill > Rocky Branch (car spot)

Wild River Trail > Black Angel > Carter Dome > South Middle and North Carter > Moriah > descend Moriah Brook tr --- a personal favorite . Lots of water (loop)

Nancy and Norcross Pond > Carrigain Notch (carspot)

Ethan Pond > Shoal Pond> Desolation > Signal Ridge (carspot)

table Mntn > Bear Mntn > Moats (carspot)

Tripyramids > sleepers > Whiteface Passaconnaway - many ways to skin this cat - winter hike was my favorite one (carspot)

Isolation from Dry River Wilderness (loop)

Dry River Trail > Lakes of the Clouds > Crawford Path > Mt Eisenhower Trail > Mitzpah Cut off > mt Pierce> Crawford Path - lots of up and down redlining and peakbagging but don't think it's currently open (carspot)

Willey, Field, Tom > AZ > Zealand Notch > Ethan Pond Loop -!nice in both directions

York Pond Tr > N Weeks > Middle Weeks > S Weeks > Middle Weeks > N Weeks > Terrace > Cabot > Horn > Bukge > Unknown Pond Tr. . (lollipop loop)

Great Gulf > Madison Gulf > mad / Ad > Star Lake > Buttress > out Great Gulf
(although we skipped Mad Ad to hit Six Husbands and Sphinx instead - sometimes redlining trumps peaks ) (loopy loop)

Jackson & Avalon, Field, Willey, Field, Tom combo - boring but gets the job done (cross the road loop)

 

[MichaelJ]

I'll chime in with another recommendation for the Twins-Zealand-Hale loop, with or without the Bonds included depending on time and how your feet feel. If you haven't done Fire Warden's before I strongly recommend you go up it the first time, rather than down at the end of the day.

Zealand Trailhead, walk down the road, go up Hale Brook, down Lend-a-Hand, then out to Mt. Zealand, down Zeacliff Trail, back on Ethan Pond Trail to Zealand Trail.

Zealand Trailhead, go in to A-Z, up Tom-Field-Willey, down the backside to Ethan Pond Trail all the way back.

I've done Nancy through Carrigain Notch, it's beautiful, and so your proposal to go up Desolation out Signal Ridge would be a fantastic hike except for the Rte 302 road walk at the end. Stash a bike! If you're not working on the 4000-footer list, ride the bike on Sawyer River Road as well.

Moosilauke via the Snapper Trail up and the Ridge Trail down. Not epic length but if you want to do the Moose, and still be a loop, it's the longer way to do it.

Lonesome Lake Trail up Fishin' Jimmy, out and back to S Kinsman, then over the Cannonballs, over to Cannon, down Hi-Cannon and back. Or down Kinsman Ridge Trail and bike path back.

Valley Way to Madison, Star Lake to Adams, Gulfside to Jefferson, then Randolph Path back.

19 Mile Brook Trail to Carter Notch, up and back Wildcat A, up the Dome, over Hight, out and back to S & M Carter, down Carter Dome Trail to 19-Mile.

Tripyramids plus out and back to Sleepers and Whiteface all from Livermore.

I believe (no map handy) there's a Whiteface/Passaconaway Loop with road walk / bike really long possibility by going in Flat Mountain Pond Trail.

Park at ski area, go up Tecumseh, over to Tripoli Road, out and back both Osceolas, either walk Tripoli Road or go back over Tecumseh to return to car.

Park at Skookumchuck, ride bike path down to Liberty Springs Trail parking, walk back Whitehouse Trail to LST, traverse ridge back to car, retrieve bike. Reverse for easier hike / harder bike ride.

 

[SherpaTom]

Loops

I just emailed you 3 spreadsheets with some ideas with distances & elevation gain. Enjoy

 

[Lefty E]

Loops

I like the idea of the Carter/Wild River area, say up 19 mile to CM then up Hight..down Black Angel to Wild River then decide, right on Wild River or continue to Basin Rim Trail, Meader Ridge, Eagle Link, Wild River to Rainbow up to Carter Dome down to hut (or continue Wild River to Wildcat River up to Carter Notch)..then down 19 mile...Diretissima parking, up Glen Boulder to Davis Path, down to Isolation Trail to the Mt. Ike trail, then up Crawford Path to Camel Trail, back to Davis and down Boott Spur to Pinkham...all good stuff you are getting for sure (and you have done some I m sure!!)

 

[grouseking]

I've only done one loop that was 16-17 miles...

It was Willey, Field, and Tom via Ethan Pond tr, then Willey range trail. UP Mt Tom spur to tag Tom, then back down to AZ trail, which brings you to the Zealand trail within 1/2 mile of Zealand Hut. I took a short side trip up to Zealand Falls Hut, then back to where Zealand Trail and Ethan Pond Tr meet, then all the way back on Ethan Pond trail to the car. There is lots of scenery on this one, with a couple of short side trips possible...like Thoreau Falls, Shoal Pond, and Ethan Pond.

http://grouseking.smugmug.com/New-H...ey-Range/11144681_LBHZfq#!i=781018682&k=Zrcbp

 

[TDawg]

...Willey, Field, and Tom via Ethan Pond tr, then Willey range trail. UP Mt Tom spur to tag Tom, then back down to AZ trail, which brings you to the Zealand trail within 1/2 mile of Zealand Hut. I took a short side trip up to Zealand Falls Hut, then back to where Zealand Trail and Ethan Pond Tr meet, then all the way back on Ethan Pond trail to the car. There is lots of scenery on this one, with a couple of short side trips possible...like Thoreau Falls, Shoal Pond, and Ethan Pond.

If you wanted to get crazier with this loop with mileage/elevation, maybe add Zeacliff via Twinway or Zeacliff Tr. (out to Zealand Mtn? ) and down Zeacliff Tr (or Twinway.)

Zeacliff trail has two tricky down-climb pitches near the top, but otherwise just steep for a descent. If you were headed that direction, that is.

 

[brobichaud]

Thanks everyone for the terrific replies! Going to have to get out the maps and figure out a hike to do on one of my days off this week.

The Tripyramids/Whiteface/Sleepers/Passaconaway loop is a good one. Several different entry and exit trail choices, and an easy bike ride to tie it up.

This was my last big hike, and I really enjoyed it. Ended up spotting my car at Pine Bend Brook and biking down to Oliverian Brook. Really wild feeling going across the Sleepers, will definitely be doing this one again. Since it was bike week, all I heard from Middle Tripyramid to the Kanc was the sound of motorcycles.

Wild River Trail > Black Angel > Carter Dome > South Middle and North Carter > Moriah > descend Moriah Brook tr --- a personal favorite .

Now we just need Wild River Road to reopen!

I've done Nancy through Carrigain Notch, it's beautiful, and so your proposal to go up Desolation out Signal Ridge would be a fantastic hike except for the Rte 302 road walk at the end. Stash a bike! If you're not working on the 4000-footer list, ride the bike on Sawyer River Road as well.

Is the herd path leaving Nancy Pond Trail fairly easy to find? While I'm finished with the all-season 48, I'm still climbing with a Grid finish in mind down the road, so I'll definitely stash my bike.

I like the idea of the Carter/Wild River area, say up 19 mile to CM then up Hight..down Black Angel to Wild River then decide, right on Wild River or continue to Basin Rim Trail, Meader Ridge, Eagle Link, Wild River to Rainbow up to Carter Dome down to hut (or continue Wild River to Wildcat River up to Carter Notch)..then down 19 mile...Diretissima parking, up Glen Boulder to Davis Path, down to Isolation Trail to the Mt. Ike trail, then up Crawford Path to Camel Trail, back to Davis and down Boott Spur to Pinkham...all good stuff you are getting for sure (and you have done some I m sure!!)

I too like the idea of the Wild River area. Did Carter Dome from Bog Brook Trail in May, and loved the birch glades on Rainbow Trail, I definitely need to check out more of this area. The other one sounds really interesting, could hit Isolation, Eisenhower, and Monroe at the very least... one to look into for sure!

... Willey, Field, and Tom via Ethan Pond tr, then Willey range trail. UP Mt Tom spur to tag Tom, then back down to AZ trail, which brings you to the Zealand trail within 1/2 mile of Zealand Hut. I took a short side trip up to Zealand Falls Hut, then back to where Zealand Trail and Ethan Pond Tr meet, then all the way back on Ethan Pond trail to the car. There is lots of scenery on this one, with a couple of short side trips possible...like Thoreau Falls, Shoal Pond, and Ethan Pond.

Funny, this was the same loop I did a few weeks back, and I found your trip report and pictures after doing a google search. So thank you for indirectly helping with my pre-hike research!

 

[una_dogger]

Wild river rd is set to open July 2012 ;-)

 

[MichaelJ]

Is the herd path leaving Nancy Pond Trail fairly easy to find? While I'm finished with the all-season 48, I'm still climbing with a Grid finish in mind down the road, so I'll definitely stash my bike.

The brushing to try to block it makes it all the more obvious, if it's what you're looking for. Think of it as being at the far right shore of Norcross Pond when you approach from Nancy Pond. There's even, to my recollection, a little clearing there. Most importantly, don't lose it at the slide. It's a very obvious path, nigh, a trail at this point. If you find yourself bushwhacking you've missed it.

 

[B the Hiker]

Or maybe it's time to find an additional hobby. The old saying about all things in moderation has a great deal of wisdom behind it.

Cycling, running, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing

I have cut back on my trips to the Whites, and have been doing more cycling and rock climbing, largely because I became worried that hiking weekend after weekend would start to get old, and frankly, it did a bit. Now when I go up, the old excitement is back.

There is much to be said about pushing oneself, but there is also much to be said about moderation.

Something to ponder,

Brian

 

[brobichaud]

Wild river rd is set to open July 2012 ;-)

That makes me happy, as I definitely have the urge to explore that area!

Or maybe it's time to find an additional hobby. The old saying about all things in moderation has a great deal of wisdom behind it.

Cycling, running, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing

I have cut back on my trips to the Whites, and have been doing more cycling and rock climbing, largely because I became worried that hiking weekend after weekend would start to get old, and frankly, it did a bit. Now when I go up, the old excitement is back.

There is much to be said about pushing oneself, but there is also much to be said about moderation.

Something to ponder,

Brian

Trust me, I have learned the lesson of moderation. After hiking Katahdin twice in 2000 (my first 4000 footer/big hike), I took a 10 year hiatus and beat the crap out of my body with poor eating habits and other various substances. In 2010, I cleaned up my act, quit smoking, started eating better, and got back out into the mountains in the late summer. It took me by storm, and I quickly found myself out every week, sometimes more than once, and completed my all-season 48 in 10 months. After taking some time off in the mid-summer, and being sidelined by nagging knee problems through the fall, I came to see that I was pushing myself too hard, and deliberately slowed down my pace. Instead of going weekly, I now get out once every two weeks. I devote more time to skateboarding and skiing (in season), and I find I generally enjoy the mountains more. There's something to be said for time away.

Cheers,

Bill

 

[IQuest]

Some larger loops that I did last year were:
Lincoln Woods Tr>Bondcliff TR>Twinway>Twin Brook TR>Francionia Brook Tr>back to LW stopping at both W Bond and Galehead. Approx 27 miles.
Start at Wild River Campground>Black Angel Tr>Carter-Moriah Tr>Kenduskeag Tr>Shelburne Tr>back to WR Campground. Approx 24 miles.
Diretissima>Glen Boulder>Davis Path to Isolation then back to Camel Tr and on to Monroe>Crawford Path to Washington>Lions Head Tr>Pinkham Notch. 17ish miles w/7000+ feet elev gain.
N Twin Tr>Twinway>Lend-a-Hand Tr>Fire Warden's Tr>Haystack Rd. 18ish miles.

A few years ago we aborted a S-N presi traverse. Started up webster Cliff Tr, bailed after Eisenhower, descended Mt Eisenhower Tr, and walked out on the Dry River Tr. 18ish miles.

I usually just look at a map and try to keep it under 25 miles and end up where I started.

I like your idea of a Nancy-Carrigain Loop. I would have to walk the road though as Marlie doesn't know how to ride a bike.