peaks for solo hiker

[steve40]

Hi everybody!I'm seeking advice on some peaks I could do this summer that are not very steep.Since I almost always end up hiking solo I am uncomfortable with very steep hikes,especially during descent.I did Wright Peak last summer and that was at my comfort level limit.Mountains I have done that I was comfortable on include Cascade/Porter,Ampersand,St.Regis,Jo and Vanhoevenberg.Would Hopkins or Hurricane compare favorably with those mountains,any others?I realize most people are talking about winter hikes now but I like to plan way ahead of time.I plan to do Avanlanche Lake and Phelps but would like other options.I am a determined hiker but at the same time very cautious.Thanks Steve

[Dick]

Hi everybody!I'm seeking advice on some peaks I could do this summer that are not very steep.Since I almost always end up hiking solo I am uncomfortable with very steep hikes,especially during descent.I did Wright Peak last summer and that was at my comfort level limit.Mountains I have done that I was comfortable on include Cascade/Porter,Ampersand,St.Regis,Jo and Vanhoevenberg.Would Hopkins or Hurricane compare favorably with those mountains,any others?I realize most people are talking about winter hikes now but I like to plan way ahead of time.I plan to do Avanlanche Lake and Phelps but would like other options.I am a determined hiker but at the same time very cautious.Thanks Steve

Hi Steve! If you do Wright, Cascade/Porter, Ampersand, S.Regis, Jo, Vanhoevenberg, you'd probably be interested in these: Hopkins (beautiful views, acres of blueberries in July!) and Hurricane (360-degree views, several approaches), Noonmark (one of the best non-46er views in the HPs!), Snowy (central Daks, misses 46er status by 100ft), and Giant (a 46er peak, steep, but only 6 miles r.t.). Lots of other suggestions present themselves (and I'm sure others will chime in), but these are a few of the off-top-of-the-head classic hikes.


Dick

[GimmeTrails]

Steve, I've only done Hurricane in the winter but it was certainly a great climb (the views were amazing). Wasn't too steep...I doubt you'd have a problem doing it solo.

[steve40]

Thanks for the info guys,Hopkins and Hurricane will be 2 I climb this summer.

[Wildernessphoto]

Thanks for the info guys,Hopkins and Hurricane will be 2 I climb this summer.

Keep me in mind when your planning Steve.
We never did get to get a hike in this fall. I'd like to still hike T lake falls and Metcalf lake some time. I'd like to try Hurricane myself.
-Gary-

[Kevin]

I'm game for hurricane as well (continues to be at the top of my to-do list ).

[billandjudy]

We can attest to Hurricane--see post in trip reports--a great day out--not difficult at all and a great summit w/ great views if you catch a good day--a real nice winter hike

[Dick]

Keep me in mind when your planning Steve.
We never did get to get a hike in this fall. I'd like to still hike T lake falls and Metcalf lake some time. I'd like to try Hurricane myself.
-Gary-

Gary, keep me in mind as well. I've been up Hurricane a few times, but always from 9N. I'd be interested in trying one of the others, especially the northern (Keene) approach and checking out the lean-to. FYI, the beginning of the eastern approach has been closed to vehicular traffic by landowner since 1998. You can still hike this approach, but from the landowner's gate it's 1.2 miles of hiking on a road. 2004 Guidebook says DEC performs only limited maintenance on the eastern trail.

Dick

[Robony]

Keep me in mind when your planning Steve.
We never did get to get a hike in this fall. I'd like to still hike T lake falls and Metcalf lake some time. I'd like to try Hurricane myself.
-Gary-

I too am very interested in seeing T Lake falls. Maybe we could organize something for spring run-off?

[Boreal Chickadee]

Now Gary, T Lake Falls is on my list of places to go also. Have you been saving the posts for the different approaches to the falls? I filed them if you need them later.

[steve40]

I am planning to go to Mountain Home in mid to late April.We'll have to play it by ear as far as run-off goes.Plan on bringing waders to cross the S.branch at that time of the year.Will post again on this when the time gets closer in the event planning section.Won't do Hurricane until vacation in august.Steve

[Wildernessphoto]

I am planning to go to Mountain Home in mid to late April.We'll have to play it by ear as far as run-off goes.Plan on bringing waders to cross the S.branch at that time of the year.Will post again on this when the time gets closer in the event planning section.Won't do Hurricane until vacation in august.Steve

Sounds good Steve!
Looks like neither of us will have to worry about doing it solo. We got lot's of company! That sounds like a plan. Once you get your schedule organized, just let us know.
I'm working on a plan for July and August. I was planning a week long trip hiking the loop from Blueberry pond trailhead to Duck Hole, down the Cold river, and back to the trailhead . Then another week long trip into French Louie's territory from Pillsbury Mt. Trailhead to West Lake and up to Cedar lake and out to the trailhead again. Let me know what your dates are in August and I'll try to coordinate my schedule so we can hike Hurricane. Sounds like the summer is coming together already!