Worthwhile Bushwhacks

[Nate]

Of the truly trailless 3k peaks in New England, which ones are considered to be worth doing? I ask because in the bushwhacking I've done for the NEHH list, all my efforts in fighting the scrub usually just resulted in reaching a viewless summit. I'm know there are quite a few people out there who are really into bushwhacking, and it would be great if some of them could recommend some peaks that are worth the extra effort that bushwhacking requires.

 

[dr_wu002]

and it would be great if some of them could recommend some peaks that are worth the extra effort that bushwhacking requires.

I don't know... none of them have views at all and aren't worth doing.

Read trip reports and keep your eyes out. A lot of these places are special and rarely visited and while I don't think people are necessarily hiding things, I can't see anyone writing up a convenient list. Part of the wonder and fun is discovering this stuff for yourself. I guess I've found in my experiences bushwhacking (not that much but it's growing) is that it's much different than hiking on trails and oftentimes it's the journey itself that is in fact the destination.

-Dr. Wu

 

[Tom Rankin]

Read trip reports and keep your eyes out. A lot of these places are special and rarely visited and while I don't think people are necessarily hiding things, I can't see anyone writing up a convenient list. Part of the wonder and fun is discovering this stuff for yourself. I guess I've found in my experiences bushwhacking (not that much but it's growing) is that it's much different than hiking on trails and oftentimes it's the journey itself that is in fact the destination.

Just as an example, I didn't think there were views on Mendon, but surprise, there are!

 

[dr_wu002]

Just as an example, I didn't think there were views on Mendon, but surprise, there are!

I'm a views person, I'll admit it. But you might find that with bushwhacking, there's more than the views from the top that are exciting. It can be the pretty forest, landscape or even artifacts you run across. It might be the solitude or the remoteness or some other feature.

-Dr. Wu

 

[Double Bow]

When I am hiking on trails, I seek views. When I am bushwhacking, it's all about the adventure of the journey and the solitude. Sometimes, you are suprised with views or other interesting, unexpected rewards. Sometimes not. One of the best things about it is the fact that there is no book telling you exactly what you are going to find along the way. It's a whole 'nother ballgame.

Oh, and IMHO, MOST the NEHHs that do not have "official trails" have herd paths that are so well defined that they can hardly be called bushwhacks (unless you don't use them ).

Bushwhacking is like a box of chocolates...

 

[John H Swanson]

With a very few exceptions, I never really found the best part of bushwhacking to be the summit views. I much more enjoyed the view of the terrain I saw along the way. Rocks, ravines, moss and stream beds. All within the next 50 ft. I really did like the view from Barren Mtn, and Mahoosuc Mountain is nice too.

 

[bill bowden]

Views from bushwhacks

There are a few NH 3000 footers with views from the summit Whitewall has excellent panoramic views and South Engine Hill also has some good views. There is a good panorama from a subsidiary peak of South Hale. In vermont, many of the 3000 footers offer nice vews with mixed forest up to near the summit so fall hiking is especially rewarding.
Because bushwhack routes are not so well established as trails, finding a view is as much a test of your own abilities as the best views often come from open areas and ledges on the trip.

 

[hockeycrew]

It may not be a 3000 footer, but a rewarding bushwack with a view is Howe Peak next to Shelbourne-Moriah. It has open ledges with fantastic views. Just make sure to go to the real summit, not the wooded in rock with the log.

And if you're only interested in peak bagging, apparently it's on someone's NH 200 list

 

[onestep]

Sunday River Whitecap

Sunday River Whitecap has a great view... lot's of above treeline. Better hurry though if you want to 'wack this one as the AMC is hard at work on the new Grafton Loop Trail which will go over it's summit.

Does the GLT go over the summit Slide too?

Onestep

 

[spencer]

Nope, the GLT does not touch Slide.

When I hiked Sunday River Whitecap, I didn't know there was even going to be the southwestern half of the GLT. I found it by mistake a couple hundred feet shy of the summit. I did find remnants of a very old trail on the northern end of the "ridge."

I then followed the GLT from the summit down to the col between it and Slide and ran into Mike Cooper (the trail designer/builder) and a helper. They seemed VERY surprised to see me, but probably not as surprised as I was to find them or their trail. They were laying out or working on another section. From that col, the GLT heads due south and then circles around the southern base of Slide and meets up with the AT south of Old Speck. I don't have a map in front of me to say more specifically.

Anyway, I had a relatively easy time of it going up to Slide. I then decided to whack over a couple of bumps toward old Speck. There are a couple of bumps between OS and Slide and I thought I'd do them just for fun. it was fun with only infrequent views down into Grafton Notch.

 

[post'r boy]

everything has a view if you have your eyes open!!

eagle cliff,east huntington, deception
write back when you need more!!

 

[Dennis C.]

Baxter State Park has a number of trailless 3000 footers and they all have open summit vistas. In fact every 3000 footer in the park has an open view. Several of these peaks have recently been discussed here: BSP Bushwacks; Squaws Bosom & Barren Mtn

 

[Barbarossa]

There are a few NH 3000 footers with views from the summit Whitewall has excellent panoramic views

I second Whitewall for a great hike, even though I didn't get to the summit.

I personally enjoy open, mature forest. I would recommend Mt Clough and its neighbor the Hogsback. Hogsback is just over 2800, but it has some great views.

 

[bigmoose]

If there were views from many of the NH 3s, there would be trails! With forested tops and no views, there's not much interest for the general hiking public, so no trails are cut, and herd paths don't develop. All the better for the bushwhacker!
In contrast, many of the Adk 3s have stunning views, yet no paths. Bushwhacking+views. Best of both worlds.

 

[Neil]

In contrast, many of the Adk 3s have stunning views, yet no paths. Bushwhacking+views. Best of both worlds.

Shhhhh.

 

[forestgnome]

If there were views from many of the NH 3s, there would be trails! With forested tops and no views, there's not much interest for the general hiking public, so no trails are cut, and herd paths don't develop. All the better for the bushwhacker!
In contrast, many of the Adk 3s have stunning views, yet no paths. Bushwhacking+views. Best of both worlds.

Agreed, my favorite places in the forest are where there are no views, and therefore no crowds. I've "discovered" many nice views which are added treats, but the adventure through the forest is the destination.

Happy Autumn!

 

[Nate]

I really appreciate the feedback people have been submitting. However, considering the joys of bushwhacking they cite, I still don't understand what the draw is. After all, as long as I'm on a less popular trail, I get to fully experience the solitude and beauty of nature that bushwhacking offers (for instance, on Sunday, I hiked a stretch of the Davis Path [which I wouldn't even consider a less popular trail], and during the course of that seventeen mile hike I only encountered two other parties, and they were both within the first 2.5 miles), but without getting branches in the face or having to negotiate blowdowns. Perhaps I'm simply a lazy hiker, but bushwhacking just seems like too much work, especially since it seems to yield the same net result as hiking along trails. I know some have contended that the only way to really find the "cool stuff" is through bushwhacking. Perhaps I'm missing something, since that has yet to be my experience. If so, please enlighten me, since I sincerely want to understand what the draw is.

 

[Double Bow]

For me at least, a major part of the draw is the test of skills. It's easy to follow well marked, well trodden trails. It takes skill and brains to navigate off trail. You need to be able to read the land as well as a map. It's much more of a mental exercise.

Another key attraction for me is not knowing exactly what to expect. With there not being any guides and with the fact that you probably aren't traveling the exact same route as others whose trips you may have or may not have heard about, the "unknown" quotant is much higher. This is what makes it so much cooler when you come across a view, a cellar hole, or anything else that grabs your attention.

If a test of skills and a sense of exploring the unknown are not things that sound appealing to you, you probably won't enjoy bushwhacking.

 

[Dennis C.]

Besides the motivations that "Double Bow" mentions, I've especially enjoyed the camaraderie of bushwhack hikers. A lot of closer relationships have developed through the years because we feed off each other (sharing ideas and off trail information). You may greet other hikers along the trails as you pass, but how many do get to know really well?

"bigmoose" adds this: "Adk 3s (which) have stunning views". There are some unbelievable open summit trailless peaks (beyond the ADK 46) which I'd be willing to discuss here if there's interest .

 

[John H Swanson]

The second time I hike a trail, it's boring.