DayTrip
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So I'm heading to Baxter this week from North gate and one of my main goals while staying there was to hike the Traveler's Loop. It's looking like the weather is not going to be too great though the days I'll be there so I'm curious about whether there would be a reason I'd want to avoid it in the rain. I know it is a strenuous loop, with lots of exposure but is the terrain sufficiently challenging when wet, i.e. smooth steep slabs, steep scrambles, etc? If anyone can provide a White Mountain "comp" trail to assist with assessing the route or has any general thoughts on the matter it will be appreciated. I've done many of the sketchier routes in NH in poor weather but I've never been in this area before. The Maine AMC Guide is quite brief with its descriptions.
As a secondary question, how is the loop of South Branch and Black Cat Mountain? Is that a worthy "plan B" alternate hike if Traveler is a bad idea? It seems similar to South Turner from Roaring Brook in terms of mileage/vertical, which is a hike I really enjoyed. Going to do the Howe Brook Trail with the wife one of the days so I wanted to do a "real" hike the other full day we'll be there.
As a secondary question, how is the loop of South Branch and Black Cat Mountain? Is that a worthy "plan B" alternate hike if Traveler is a bad idea? It seems similar to South Turner from Roaring Brook in terms of mileage/vertical, which is a hike I really enjoyed. Going to do the Howe Brook Trail with the wife one of the days so I wanted to do a "real" hike the other full day we'll be there.