Admittedly, waking up before dawn to exercise is not everyone's cup of tea. But if you've ever watched the sunrise from the top of the mountain, you know it's truly worth making the trek at least once in your life. One of the best places in New Hampshire for a sunrise hike is definitely our beloved Mount Cardigan -- and for beginning to moderate hikers, we recommend the Mount Cardigan Loop Trail .
Mount Cardigan is a beautiful bare-rock summit located in Orange and Alexandria in western New Hampshire.
To reach it, take I-89 to Rt. 4, follow Rt.4 east for 12 mile, veer left on Rt. 118, take a right at the Cardigan State Park sign, and follow the signs.
The loop mostly follows the West Ridge Trail, but it does cross with the Skyland Trail and the Ranger-Cabin Trail at times. Don't worry, the path is well marked.
This trail is ranked as moderate, and for the most part, it's a nice, steady climb to the top.
(Note: Hikers who have never hiked in the White Mountains before will find this a strenuous trip due to the distance, elevation gain, and exposure to weather above the treeline; this trip is best suited for more experienced hikers and is not a casual walk in the woods. All hikers should pack the 10 essentials at a minimum, be prepared to turn around, and leave a plan with a trusted person. Hike smart to hike another day.)
New Hampshire's Mt. Moosilauke is a place of majestic wonder to me. With its hidden, darkly-clad ravines, windswept alpine tundra, and lively history, it's easily one of the most interesting summits in the White Mountains. For me personally, I feel a connection to the mountain like no other. I can't say I'm too much of a spiritual person, but it always feels like home to me.
Moosilauke is not an easy mountain to climb. It is one of the higher of the state's famous 4,000-footers at nearly 5,000 feet in elevation, and all ascents involve steep and rough climbing in places. Its bare summit is also at the mercy of the forces of nature as there is no other higher terrain around to offer protection. It's a mountain that commands (and demands) respect. It will tell you when it doesn't want you there. That said, as fickle as Moosilauke can sometimes be, it also offers unparalleled views in all directions from its small alpine zone. If you have the opportunity to hike it on a good weather day, don't pass it up!
Fortunately, Moosilauke is graced with several different approaches to reach the top. The long-distance Appalachian Trail passes over the peak, carried by the segments locally known as Glencliff Trail and Beaver Brook Trail. The "easiest" (Moosilauke standards) ascent is via Gorge Brook Trail from Moosilauke Ravine Lodge, which is also the highest trailhead on the mountain.
All of these routes offer their own unique adventure but one that isn't mentioned above is one of my personal favorites. Benton Trail is the sole approach to the mountain from the northwest and its longer drive time and slightly out-of-the-way trailhead make it less traveled than the more commonly used routes. Dating back to 1859, Benton Trail, which follows the way of a former bridle path, provides a quiet and somewhat long route where you will likely see few people but will enjoy gorgeous forest walking en route.
At 4.7 miles from the trailhead, Benton Trail ends at its junction with Beaver Brook Trail (Appalachian Trail). Continue ahead on Beaver Brook Trail and abruptly emerge from the trees onto Moosilauke's grassy alpine summit, which is reached 0.4 miles from the trail junction. The way is marked by prominent cairns that guide the way in less than favorable conditions. Hikers should stay on the trail at all times and should not venture off onto the vegetation. Alpine grasses and plants are extremely fragile and are easily damaged by footsteps. It's an amazing landscape to take in from the trail.
At the summit, hikers will find unobstructed views in all directions as well as several stone wind shelters should ducking out of the breeze be necessary. Once here, you will understand why this grand mountain has such a prominent place in New Hampshire's history. If the weather is good, stay, sit a while, and take in the experience. If not headed down via another trail to a spotted vehicle, it will soon be time to reverse direction and head back down Benton Trail, which is just as beautiful on the way down as it is on the way up.
Before heading out, be sure to thoroughly research Benton Trail in the AMC White Mountain Guide. Flooding from Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 rearranged access to the trailhead and parking and the guidebook includes the most current information. More details on parking and reaching the trailhead can also be found on the U.S. Forest Service website.
To stretch your legs on one of the shorter and easier hikes in the White Mountains that can be done in a half day, try Stinson Mountain in Rumney; its summit was once home to a fire tower.
During my recent excursions on the state's hiking trails, hints of New Hampshire fall foliage color are beginning to appear but so far things have been pretty muted. The color seems to have arrived a bit early this year. Couple that with a dry stretch of weather recently, and it could result in a shorter foliage season, but we still have some time to go before peak!
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As I was looking back through some foliage photos for a social media post, I was reminded of a visit to the small but attractive Table Mountain in 2019. This low peak, which -- and I'm not kidding here -- once had a wooden table on its summit, boasts incredible views to the south from ledges near the top of the mountain. These views earned Table a coveted spot on the New Hampshire 52 With A View hiking list when it was added in 2020.
On the day of this visit, a friend and I checked it out not only for the views but because it was also an incredible year for foliage color, as you can see in the included photos. As this was also Columbus Day weekend, lots of other people had the same idea. But we didn't let that stop us as we began our 1.9-mile hike along Attitash Trail.
The trek to Table is simple and perfect for beginner hikers as there is only one trail to follow out and back. Overall, it is a relatively easy walk, although closer to the summit there are some steeper pitches and a couple of gravelly sections where care must be taken with footing. Nothing inherently tricky or dangerous, though.
The first half or so is in the woods but once the ridgeline is reached, the views begin to open up. As soon as we popped out on the first open ledges, we were greeted with a beautiful display of autumn's fiery color. These views continued to the main ledges, where I caught a great photo of a hiker basking in the beauty. We continued ahead on Attitash Trail a bit further to a lesser-known outlook for a break and a bite to eat before wandering back.
Even outside of New Hampshire's fall foliage season, the hike to Table is a great destination for a great view. It's suitable for beginner hikers who are starting to get their legs under them, and experienced mountain dogs shouldn't have a problem (always check with your vet first, though). To learn more, check out the United States Forest Service website and research Attitash Trail in either the AMC White Mountain Guide or New Hampshire's 52 With A View - A Hiker's Guide.
