• Having two hiking options most days, from trails that traverse rocky and windswept ridges to others that lead through hardwood forest to waterfalls
• Having lemonade at one of the AMC huts
• Staying in a private vacation home with individual rooms and a sauna
• Visiting the town of North Conway

The White Mountains of New Hampshire provide some of the most diverse mountain hiking to be found anywhere. Over 400 miles of hiking trails crisscross this vast area, much of which is wilderness. Some trails lead to rugged summits, traversing rocky and windswept ridges, with steep climbs and few switchbacks. Other trails lead through northern hardwood forest, past beaver ponds, to waterfalls and overlooks. Most days we will offer a choice between a more moderate trail (4-6 miles with less than 1500 feet elevation gain) and a longer route with significant elevation gain. Whether you're new to hiking and are more interested in spending time outdoors at one of the loveliest times of year, or a seasoned hiker interested in finding some challenging hiking, the White Mountains provide endless choices.

any woman who exercises regularly at a moderate level, and who either enjoys hiking or is new to hiking and wants to learn in a safe and fun environment. Women who are interested in the more strenuous hikes should be in very good physical condition, as all entail significant elevation gains on steep and rocky trails.

 We will be staying at Pine Brook Lodge, an 8 bedroom / 16 room / 5 bathroom vacation house just half a mile outside of North Conway

• experienced guides
• four nights lodging in single occupancy rooms
• all meals from lunch Sunday to lunch the following Thursday
• round-trip transportation from the Manchester, NH airport is available for $75

on August 30 at 12:30 in Lincoln, NH. If you are flying in, meet at the Manchester Airport (MHT) at 10:30 am

after lunch on September 3. If you are flying, you can plan to fly out after 3 pm

 trip description, packing list, notes on packing list, itinerary and general information

The following itinerary should be considered a general guideline, intended to give a sense of the possibilities. We may follow it exactly, or we may vary it depending on the weather, the interests of the group, or new opportunities.

August 30: Our journey begins at 12:30 at the White Mountain Visitor Center in Lincoln, NH. If you are flying in, we will pick you up at the Manchester, New Hampshire airport at 10:30 a.m. The Visitor Center is located on Rte 112 (the Kancamagus Highway), exit 32 off of I-93, in the town of Lincoln. On our way to our home for the week, Pinebrook Lodge, we will stop for a hike to scenic Upper Greely pond.  We will have a picnic lunch, and potentially go for a swim. Please come dressed accordingly.  (3.4 miles round trip, 600 ft)

Each of the next 3 days we will offer a choice between a more moderate trail (4-6 miles with less than 1500 feet elevation gain) and a longer route with significant elevation gain.

August 31: Today we will explore 2 scenic loop hikes off the Kancamagus Highway.  The moderate route will hike the Boulder Loop Trail. This interpretive loop trail offers excellent views for a relatively modest effort (3.1 miles and 950ft).  The longer route will hike South and Middle Moat Mts an out and back trail that traverses through some beautiful wooded areas and along open ridges that provide magnificent views from numerous overlooks (6.6 miles and 2350ft)

September 1: Today the moderate and long hike leave from the same point. Both hikes will go to Zealand Falls Hut, a 2.8-mile hike in with an elevation gain of 650 feet. This is a beautiful hike though scenic forest, past marshes and alongside the rushing Zealand River and ends at one of the AMC huts with a spectacular view as well as opportunity to buy a glass of lemonade or a piece of cake.   Women in this group wanting a longer hike will hike on to Thoreau Falls, through Zealand Notch which offers a spectacular view and adds another 2.4 miles each way. After returning to the car we'll visit the historic Mt Washington Lodge for a self-guided tour and a refreshing drink on the majestic veranda. (5.6 miles and 650ft or 10.4 miles and 800ft)

September 2: The choice for the moderate hike today is the Hedgehog Mt. Loop. This is a beautiful loop hike that traverses numerous open ledges, affording views in nearly every direction (5 miles and 1450 ft.).  If the weather is nice, there is the option to stop at a great swimming hole on the way back to the lodge. The longer route will head up the Edmands Trail, one of the most moderately graded paths up into the mountains. We'll join the Crawford Path and follow it to the summit of Mt. Eisenhower (elevation 4760 feet). From there we are treated to open views of the Presidential range, including Mt. Washington. Continuing across the ridge on the Crawford Path, we have the option of climbing Mt Pierce before descending to the Crawford Rd for a total mileage of 8.8 miles and 2,750 feet elevation gain.
Tonight we'll have dinner at a local restaurant.

September 3: On our last morning we hike one of the shorter trails near our lodging, ending our trip with a final picnic lunch. Those who are driving can plan on departing at 1:00 and those who are flying can fly out after 3 pm.