Basecamp: Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and Joe Dodge Lodge
- Fall hiking picks at Pinkham Notch
- Free naturalist-guided foliage walks and hikes
- "Splash" of color for families: waterfall hikes
- Frontcountry meets backcountry: lodge-to-hut hiking
- Mt. Washington’s storied weather and history
- Visit Northern Forest Heritage Park
- "A good day fishing" at Moose Brook State Park
- Ride the trails at Great Glen and other foliage tours
- Leaf peeping by the rails: foliage train rides
- Another fall vantage point: flatwater paddling
For almost a century, AMC's Joe Dodge Lodge next to the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center has been the center for hiking and skiing in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and an ideal starting point for Mt. Washington summit hikes -- making the lodge popular with the intermediate to expert crowd looking to tackle more challenging terrain.
1. Fall hiking picks at Pinkham Notch
Lost Pond Trail
The Appalachian Trail follows the Lost Pond Trail from Pinkham Notch Visitor Center to the lower end of the Wildcat Ridge Trail. This short link trail is great for families and offers terrific views across to Huntington Ravine and Mt. Washington.
Low's Bald Spot
A hike from the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center to Low's Bald Spot via the Old Jackson Road and Madison Gulf Trail rewards beginners and families with fantastic views of Mts. Jefferson, Adams, and Madison from a small clearing on this knobby crag. This favorite lunch destination also provides an overlook on to the Great Gulf Wilderness.
Square Ledge
Catch a breathtaking view of Mt. Washington and Pinkham Notch by taking a fairly rugged but short trip to Square Ledge via the Lost Pond and Square Ledge Trails.
Wildcat Mt.
Another option (of many) is to head down the road to one of New Hampshire’s Four Thousand Footers, Wildcat Mt., located at the south end of the Carter-Moriah Range. The mountain is heavily forested, but outlook ledges offer breathtaking views, including straight down into Carter Notch.
Also up and running during the fall through mid-October is Wildcat’s quad for rides to the mountain’s 4,062-foot summit. Spectacular views of Mt. Washington and eastward to the Atlantic make Wildcat’s Skyride a big hit with families and beginner hikers not yet up for bagging a Four-Thousand Footer.
Summit Mt. Washington
There is also no shortage of Mt. Washington ascent routes for a challenging day hike, including Huntington Ravine and the Alpine Garden via the Huntington Ravine Trail—considered the most difficult regular hiking trail in the Whites.
Or, opt for the Lion's Head Trail or Boott Spur Trail on the eastern side of the mountain.
Some other favorites for advanced hikers in good physical shape include Old Jackson Road Trail, Nelson Crag Trail, Glen Boulder Trail, and Imp Trail/Loop.
Multi-day backcountry trips
For solitude seekers, Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and Joe Dodge Lodge also make an excellent base camp for more rugged, White Mountain backcountry trips in the Wild River and Evans Notch areas of New Hampshire and Maine, as well as the Mahoosuc Range, which extends from Gorham, NH to the summit of Old Speck in Maine.
Rock climbing
Beginner and expert rock climbers alike will find many routes in the area, including Huntington Ravine for experts and Cathedral Ledge in North Conway.
2. Free naturalist-guided foliage walks and hikes
Throughout September and October, join free, family-friendly naturalist-led walks or longer, moderately challenging hikes to scenic Pinkham Notch pond, waterfall, and overlook locations on the network of trails branching out from the AMC’s lodge at the base of Mt. Washington. Backcountry clinics on topics such as Leave No Trace and safe hiking and outdoor preparation are offered daily, and guided walks, hikes, and talks take place as scheduled. The evening program every Saturday is a featured speaker.
3. "Splash" of color for families: waterfall hikes
Several waterfalls can be found within a few miles distance from the Pinkham Visitor Center: Crystal Cascade, a short, 15-minute walk from the visitor center; Thompson Falls, a series of small cascades near the Wildcat Mountain Ski Area; and Glen Ellis Falls, a picturesque waterfall that plunges into a pool 70 feet below. Waterfall enthusiasts can make a day of it by making a drive along The White Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway and checking out the various waterfalls at Franconia Notch and Crawford Notch.
4. Frontcountry meets backcountry: lodge-to-hut hiking
Steeped in over 100 years of tradition, the AMC’s unique network of mountain huts, all a day’s hike apart, stretches 56 miles along the Appalachian Trail through the White Mountain National Forest. For a taste of the backcountry, call Joe Dodge Lodge base camp and spend a night away at one of AMC's huts. Hiking to these remote hostelries (located from two to five miles from a roadside trailhead) puts you right in the thick of the forest, where colorful maple, birch, or beech leaves may brush your cheek as you hike by.
The AMC Hiker Shuttle operates during weekends through mid-October, linking Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and AMC Highland Lodge in Crawford Notch to major trailheads to AMC's mountain huts along the Appalachian Trail.
Lonesome Lake and Zealand Falls Huts
The huts are popular with hikers who want to spend the night in the backcountry without having to carry heavy backpacks, cooking gear, food, sleeping bags, and tents. Many families with younger kids looking for shorter, easier hikes with moderate elevation gain start with Lonesome Lake or Zealand Falls Huts.
Nestled against the flank of New Hampshire's Cannon Mt. at 2,760 feet, Lonesome Lake Hut offers the shortest hiking distance from the trailhead at just under two miles. Hiking options from Lonesome Lake Hut range from short and simple to more strenuous. Many visitors enjoy the walk around the lake on the Around-Lonesome-Lake Trail, which on a clear day offers stunning views of the Franconia Range.
Zealand Falls Hut, located in Zealand Notch, sits at 2,700 feet next to beautiful Zealand Falls and offers outstanding views of varied ecosystems and abundant wildlife. For a quiet, backcountry excursion through the bright fall forest, head into Zealand Falls Hut from the Highland Lodge via the Zealand Trail. For a great day hike, take a trip to the top of Thoreau Falls, a gorgeous spot at any time of year—especially when the colors of fall are at their peak. Some of the finest views in this area are available from the ledges at Zeacliff, which overlooks the Pemigewasset Wilderness.
Greenleaf, Mizpah Spring, and Galehead Huts
Older families will find more rugged, challenging terrain at Greenleaf, Mizpah Spring, and Galehead huts, all higher elevation huts that sit below treeline and afford great views.
Centrally located near Franconia Ridge, Greenleaf Hut is perched at treeline on the shoulder of Mt. Lafayette at 4,200 feet and provides spectacular views of the Franconia Range and memorable sunsets over the notch. The most popular hike from Greenleaf is the 1.1-mile climb along the Greenleaf Trail to the 5260-foot summit of Mt. Lafayette. This exposed peak boasts views in all directions.
Mizpah Spring Hut is located at 3,800 feet, just off the historic Crawford Path on Mt. Clinton above scenic Crawford Notch. Mt. Pierce, also known as Mt. Clinton, is easily accessed from Mizpah Spring Hut and provides a quick route to the land above treeline. Mt. Pierce is one of New Hampshire’s 4,000-footers. It’s a steep but fairly quick climb from the hut to the 4,312-foot summit.
The most remote hut in the chain, Galehead Hut, is located at 3,800 feet and offers spectacular views of the Pemigewasset Wilderness Area. The 4,024-foot peak of Galehead Mountain lies very close to Galehead Hut, and visitors will often climb to the peak and back before breakfast. Access is via the Frost Trail, and this short, up-and-back trip covers one mile. A more challenging climb to spectacular views can be made by following the Twinway Trail from the hut to the summit of South Twin Mountain, which has exposed ledges and expansive views.
5. Mt. Washington’s storied weather and history
Before heading out on the trails with your family, spend an hour at the Mt. Washington Discovery Center in North Conway finding out why the Northeast’s highest peak has earned a reputation for having the "world’s worst weather." Learn about weather and climate, and then head up to Mt. Washington’s 6,288-foot summit, where weather observations are conducted hourly at the Mt. Washington Observatory. Gain an even greater appreciation of Mt. Washington history at the summit museum run by the Observatory, and then step out on the rooftop promenade of the Sherman Adams Summit Building to catch some great views beyond New Hampshire as far as 130 miles to Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Quebec, and the Atlantic Ocean.
While you're there, be sure to stop by the Tip Top House, located right next to the Observatory. Originally built in 1853, Tip Top House is a state historic site that is believed to be the world’s oldest mountaintop hostelry still in existence.
If you or your family are not yet up for summiting Mt. Washington, guided trips on the Auto Road highlight natural and cultural history on the way up the mountain. Or take a ride to the summit on the Mt. Washington Cog Railway.
6. Visit Northern Forest Heritage Park
Open May through October, the Northern Forest Heritage Park located in New Hampshire’s Androscoggin Valley is a logging history museum dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and promoting the story of the working forest and the multi-cultural heritage of the region. Visit the museum’s interactive exhibits and artisan’s gift shop before taking the family on one of the moose tours or river heritage boat tours offered by the park.
7. "A good day fishing" at Moose Brook State Park
Just north of the Presidential Range in Gorham, New Hampshire is Moose Brook State Park, a scenic destination for fishing in the Peabody and Moose Rivers. There are also many trails for walking and hiking. Particularly good spots are located at pull-offs on the southbound lane of Route 16 between Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and Auto Road/Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center.
8. Ride the trails at Great Glen and other foliage tours
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center
The network of carriage roads at Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center is ideal for mountain bike touring, plus there are a number of more challenging trails for hardcore bikers. A few miles up the road from Joe Dodge Lodge in the Northern Presidentials, Great Glen’s trails traverse beautiful fields, scenic rivers, and beaver bogs.
Franconia Notch State Park Bike Path
Road bicycles and mountain bikes alike are welcome on the Franconia Notch State Park Bike Path, a paved cycling path that winds through mixed hardwood forests and offers stunning viewpoints of the surrounding mountains. The trail is 9 miles long and runs the length of Franconia Notch. Grades are predominately mild to moderate.
Notch-to-Notch
For a unique, "scenic-overload" mountain cycling experience, try peddling notch-to-notch in the White Mountains. One of the more popular routes with strong road cyclists is the challenging, 32-mile Pinkham Notch to Crawford Notch loop. For a shorter ride with less elevation gain/loss, there is always Crawford Notch to Franconia Notch.
9. Leaf peeping on the rails: foliage train rides
The Conway Scenic Railroad is another historic attraction. In summer and fall, the railroad runs excursion trains from North Conway Village to the Crawford Depot, located outside of AMC Highland Lodge, and it's a ride that appeals to rail buffs and foliage fans alike. Shorter runs, from North Conway Village to Conway Village and back, are also offered. The annual Railfan's Day at Conway Scenic Railroad features railroading activities, flea market, special train runs, and more.
Hobo Railroad Fall Foliage Trains offer views of the annual color show along the Pemigewassett River.
10. Another vantage point: flatwater paddling
A paddling trip on the Androscoggin River gets high marks from AMC's Quiet Water New Hampshire & Vermont: Canoe and Kayak Guide for its wonderful wildlife watching opportunities. Just a 45-minute drive from Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, the river is also home to smallmouth bass, landlocked salmon, brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, moose, white-winged crossbills, white-throated sparrows, hermit and wood thrushes, loons, osprey, turtles, and beaver. Paddlers should note that below the dam is for experts only.
Another haven for wildlife is Lake Umbagog, a national wildlife refuge just over an hour's drive away on the Maine-New Hampshire border. Quiet Water New Hampshire & Vermont: Canoe and Kayak Guide recommends Leonard Pond, the coves along the inlet of the Rapid River on the northeast, and the small coves and islands east of Tidswell Point.
Or head south of Pinkham Notch for 45 minutes to Conway Lake, where the wildlife watching is also sure to please. If you put in at the northern access parking lot off of Route 302, there’s a trail where you'll see the ruins of water-powered mills.
