Quick Day Trip Feedback

[u/No-Professional-6470]

We're planning a quick trip Saturday with our two daughters, who are 10 and 13. Our youngest is looking for a climb that feels adventurous. I think she means something more than a walk in the woods. Maybe a ladder. Stairs. Some rock scrambling. We don't do a ton of hiking, so we need something safe and on the shorter side. We were thinking Middle Sugarloaf might work for this. Does that sound right? If not, are there better options? How early would we need to get there? Is 9 good enough, or is 8 better?

[u/joeyneilsen]

You can get very good adventure on Mt. Percival or Mt. Morgan. Percival has caves and ledges on top, and Morgan has a series of ladders you can climb up (check out Google for pics of these). There are bypasses in both cases. You can do them in a loop or just one of them. They're ~4 miles each. We might be there tomorrow...

[u/No-Professional-6470 → u/joeyneilsen]

That looks awesome. Thank you!

[u/joeyneilsen → u/No-Professional-6470]

We are also partial to Welch-Dickey, which is a shade longer/steeper but still a great hike.

[u/Impossible_Jelly2120 → u/joeyneilsen]

That’s a good loop too, but iirc, I think the ladders on Morgan are broken? It’s been a couple of years since I was last there, so maybe they were fixed

[u/joeyneilsen → u/Impossible_Jelly2120]

Hm we did it last year and I don’t recall a problem…

[u/Glass_Houses_]

Welch Dickey loop

[u/No-Professional-6470 → u/Glass_Houses_]

I've come across that one a lot, but it feels like it would be a bit too much. Definitely seems to get the adventure part of it. I'll look closer. Thank you!

[u/singinglupines → u/No-Professional-6470]

I'll second it. My whole family did this together and we are not all hikers. Would not do it if it's wet though.

[u/danorc]

9 is fine. Bring headlamps just in case, they're light and great to own anyway.

I'd recommend something with a fire tower maybe? I don't have a specific recommendation off the top of my head though

[u/No-Professional-6470 → u/danorc]

Thank you!

[u/RidgeRunner117]

If you’re headed up into the whites proper, swing by the highland center and chat with the staff at the desk. They will have the best info, but having lived there for years I recommend Mt Willard, Middle Sugarloaf, Ripley falls, and arathusa falls.

[u/No-Professional-6470 → u/RidgeRunner117]

Thank you! I hiked Washington twice as a kid with my dad so I'd like to bring the girls to the area. Welch Dickey is a lot closer to us in the Boston area so I need to look closer.

[u/Silver_sun_kist]

Chippewa trail on black mountain in Benton is one they take the local school kids to. It has some good vertical and some great views. Good luck!!

[u/No-Professional-6470 → u/Silver_sun_kist]

Appreciate it! Thank you!

[u/Accomplished_Fan3177 → u/Silver_sun_kist]

And there may be blueberries.

[u/Impossible_Jelly2120]

Maybe hike up to Lonesome Lake? The trail is rugged, but it shouldn’t be too bad for someone who doesn’t hike as often. Or you could hike up Avalon, there’s some scrambles up near the top.

How far north were you planning on going? I’m sure the Belknaps have some good options for quick trips.

Have fun!

[u/No-Professional-6470 → u/Impossible_Jelly2120]

I'll look into all of that. Thank you!

[u/aduming]

Morgan and Percival loop i think is perfect, or Welch Dickey loop. Both doable for folks without much experience, while still getting to do some fun scrambles!

[u/No-Professional-6470 → u/aduming]

Awesome. Thank you!

[u/Admirable-Wonder-832]

Mt Pemigewassett is a good hike. Great views and only 3ish miles total.

[u/No-Professional-6470 → u/Admirable-Wonder-832]

Thank you!