Fun (aka "Steep") Hikes

[higghiker]

I'm planning on heading up north soon for my once a year real hike (the trails in central CT are nice, but that's about it). I'm planning on hitting the Tripyramid Loop (up north slide, down the south) because of the north slide's steepness, which I find quite fun. I'm also considering the loop via the Flume Slide trail. I'd like to know what other trails have the same sort of "fun" factor, especially those in the southern and western parts of the Whites. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Somewhere down the road I'd like to try the Adam's Slide trail when I have a bit more time on my hands.

- Jon

[KSearl]

Jon,

As someone has mentioned on here recently, the Beaver Brook Trail up Mount Moosilauke (Southwest Whites) is steep to some degree, although I don't know from experience.

I've heard Huntington Ravine Trail is pretty steep too...but again, I don't know from experience.

The upper portion of the Holt Trail on Mount Cardigan is also pretty steep, although Mount Cardigan doesn't really qualify to be in the Whites (just south of the Whites though, very close). I have done this one when it was wet and it scarred the crap out of me. If it was dry, it wouldn't have been that bad.

I'd be cautious with the Adam's Slide Trail as I believe it is an unmaintained trail, and has been for a while. Make sure people know you're there if you attempt it...since I'm assuming you probably won't see anyone else.

Hope this helps,
Karl

[higghiker]

Karl,

Funny you should mention Holt and Beaver Brook. The Holt trail is the only time I've feared for my life on a hiking trail, but that was because the trail was frozen over (April) and I had to venture out onto the rock face below the summit. Still, a good time. I hiked Beaver Brook about this time last year. It's a good workout going up, but it absolutely killed my knees coming down. There really aren't many views on Beaver Brook, which is why I'm looking at something a bit more open.

Thanks for the tip about Adam's Slide. I don't want to add my name to the list of people who have made tactical blunders in that area. Perhaps next year I can come up for more than a day trip and give that a shot.

- Jon

[smithtim]

I'm also considering the loop via the Flume Slide trail.

one of my favorites!

Flume/Libetry is a great loop trail that is challenging but yet doable withount ropes etc....


Are you looking for hike or rock climb?





If you are looking for a "hike" with a few slabs here and there than Huntington Ravine is a classic....


OR if you are looking for more of a "climb" then these two are pretty popular

http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/r...ral-ledge.html

http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/r...untain-nh.html

Also there is a spot of US 302 just east of the notch where people ice climb in the winter.... might be interesting to take a look there? For the life of me I can't think of the name of that route right now, but maybe somebody will chime in or you might be able to find an old trip report of mine as I did an ice climb there back in march & pretty sure I posted some pics



best of luck & enjoy your pilgrimage up north! I know I look forward to mine every six months

[higghiker]

Tim, thanks for the input. I'm just looking for a steep and challenging hike with some mileage, but without climbing equipment. It's a toss-up at this point between Tripyramid and Flume Slide. Seems as if they are equally enjoyable (based on trip reports).

[krummholz]

Adams Slide was totally grown over with thick scrub about 10 years ago, according to someone I know who did it. Haven't done it myself.

If you really like scrambling, go up the Flume Slide trail to the same elevation as the base of the slide, traverse through scrub to the slide, then go up the slide itself rather than the trail. I wrote about doing this here:

http://http://streamsandforests.word...ume-bushwhack/

Some other trails that involve use of hands as well as feet: Castle ridge up Jefferson, King Ravine, Great Gully, Huntington Ravine, Madison Gulf.

[higghiker]

If you really like scrambling, go up the Flume Slide trail to the same elevation as the base of the slide, traverse through scrub to the slide, then go up the slide itself rather than the trail. I wrote about doing this here:

http://streamsandforests.wordpress.c...ume-bushwhack/

I think we have a winner. Gonna have to try that!

[KSearl]

krummholz - Wow! That's awesome...but I must say...I could never do that. I remember looking down those slides from the summit ledge, and unstable is an understatement. Great accomplishment!

Karl

[krummholz]

Things in the mountains always look harder from the top down than from the bottom up--so don't get discouraged too easily!

I am afraid of heights, but I did this in the Smokies:

[smithtim]

If you really like scrambling, go up the Flume Slide trail to the same elevation as the base of the slide, traverse through scrub to the slide, then go up the slide itself rather than the trail. I wrote about doing this here:

http://http://streamsandforests.word...ume-bushwhack/

hmmmmm sounds like an interesting route? I couldn't get a redirect on your link, but I bet it is good hike in summer/early fall when the rock is exposed.

Can't really get lost! Just head up that way right........... when I did last spring in full snow cover I completely lost the trail, but just headed straight up the slide and kinda bushwhacked ( well more like sno wacked) and it was fun. I ended up finding a rock with a blue marking on it & then one more short section lead me to the summit