Tired of the Snow? This Spring, Hike Where It Ain’t

The glorious Camden Hills are among the premier hiking destinations in the Northeast United States to melt out the fastest in spring.

​As of the Spring Solstice (March 20, at 5:37 A.M.) winter, and winter-season “peak bagging” list hiking, is officially over and “Mud-Season” is upon us (see my previous post about being kind to trails during Mud Season). The trails up north (the White Mountains, Adirondacks, Maine and Vermont’s high peaks, etc.) are, for a lack of a better way of expressing it, yucky: ice monorails, mud, slush, swollen brook crossings. These conditions will last through May on high ground and in northern latitudes, and in some cases into June. 

At this point I’m done with all that and looking for a taste of spring—or at least some snow free ground. If you’re of the same mind, the good news is that there are some really great mountain ranges to hike which melt out a lot sooner than the high peaks (by virtue of being further south, lower in elevation, or because they are covered primarily with deciduous trees).

Here is a list of my favorite relatively snow-free mountain ranges to hike in the Northeast United States during the spring season. Not only will these mountain ranges melt out a lot sooner, they’re scenic, tough, rocky, and rewarding hikes that are worth visiting any time of the year. I briefly list and describe them below but will be following up with an in-depth profile on each range through April and May. (Note that camping options during the spring may be limited until Memorial Day weekend when campgrounds tend to open up, but other forms of lodging are likely to have vacancies and reduced rates in the spring). 

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Hiking the Belknap Range in spring.

​1: THE BELKNAP RANGE
Where: The Lakes Region, New Hampshire; about 1 hour  south of the White Mountains and 100 miles northwest of Boston.
What: Sixteen (more or less, depending on how you count them) summits, many with dramatic views of Lake Winnepesaukie and more open ledge than you can shake a stick at. Over 60 miles of trail: short, moderate and long loops, and long-distance traverses are possible. There is even a hiking patch challenge associated with completing a traverse of the Belknaps.
Info: AMC Southern New Hampshire Guide and maps. Online Belknap Range map.

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The Wapack Range's North Pack Monadnock in spring

2: THE WAPACK RANGE
Where: South-central New Hampshire and adjacent Massachusetts, about an hour northwest of Boston.
What: The 22-mile Wapack Trail traverses this linear mountain range over ten slabby peaks which poke up from dense coniferous and deciduous forests; there are excellent views over the surrounding rural countryside from the summits. Hikers tend to favor either a manageable 10-ish mile partial traverse or the full, difficult long-distance traverse, but there are also short and moderate loop options especially at the north and south ends of the range.
Info: Wapack Range Guide and map, AMC Southern New Hampshire Guide and maps.

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3: THE WANTASTIQUET-PISGAH HIGHLANDS
Where: Southwest New Hampshire, at the Vermont line near Brattleboro, VT
What: The Wantastiquet to Monadnock Trail spans a chain of small but rugged mountains extending from the Connecticut River overlooking Brattleboro, VT through Pisgah State Park in New Hampshire. Many short and moderate loops and moderate to ultra-level traverses are possible. 

Spring view from the spectacular Mine Ledge arete in the Wantastiquet-Pisgah Highlands.

​The terrain is surprisingly diverse with open ledges, rocky tarns, waterfalls, historic ruins, wetlands,  a startling knife-edge arete, and talus slopes.
Info: AMC Southern New Hampshire Guide and maps. Pisgah State Forest map, Wantastiquet to Monadnock Trail maps.

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The view from Maiden Cliff in Maine's Camden Hills

4: THE CAMDEN HILLS
Where: Maine seacoast, 1 hour and 40 minutes north of Portland.
What: Rugged, rocky highlands with many open ledges and precipitous cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and inland lakes. Hikes are clustered around the Camden Hills State Park (6 peaks) and nearby along the Hills section of the Georges Highland Path (4 peaks), and there are several other satellite peaks to do as well. Short, moderate and long loops and traverses are possible; hiking all 13 peaks in the Hills region would add up to a very challenging experience.
Info: Camden Hiking & Biking Map. AMC Maine Hiking Guide, Maine Trail Finder

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5: THE BLUE HILLS
Where: Metropolitan Boston area, 20 minutes south of downtown Boston, 50 minutes north of Providence, RI.
What: Serious hikers who live in Boston routinely use the rugged and attractive urban oasis of the Blue Hills Reservation as a training ground for their longer hikes in the White Mountains. ​The Hills, which contain over a dozen rocky summits, are really a small mountain range; they offer many fine views of the city skyline. 

Traversing the Skyline Trail in the Blue Hills Reservation

​Hikers often favor single traverses (depending on route, 7-9mi, circa 1,500ft eg) or double traverses (out-and-back) but the extensive, dense network of trails make for nearly unlimited short and long possibilities.
Info: Blue Hills Reservation Map; AMC Massachusetts Trail Guide and maps. 

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View from the cliffs of the Holyoke Range

6: THE HOLYOKE RANGE
Where: The Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts, near the University of Massachusetts in Amherst; 45 minutes north of Hartford, CT.
What: This unique, deeply fissured line of semi-open volcanic cliffs plunge up to 1,000 feet into the surrounding lowlands of the Connecticut River Valley. The Range offers a long, rollercoaster-tough traverse (about 14mi, 3,600eg), shorter segment traverses, and varied loop options. The New England National Scenic Trail traverses the crest of the range.
Info: AMC Massachusetts Trail Guide and maps, Skinner/Mt. Holyoke Range State Park maps.

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7: THE SOUTH TACONIC RANGE
Where: The Berkshires: in Southwest Massachusetts, Eastern New York, and Northwest Connecticut. 125 miles from New York City and 50 miles from Albany, NY.
What: The South Taconic Range offers sweeping vistas across the Hudson and Housatonic river valleys. Its many open summits, ledges, fine waterfalls, and biodiversity create what is considered one of the most scenic landforms and significant conserved areas in New England.

One of many waterfalls in the South Taconic Range

Short and long traverses, moderate and extended loops, and overnight backcountry treks are all possible. The Appalachian Trail traverses the east branch of the Range and the South Taconic Trail the west branch of the Range, with many shorter connecting trails between.
Info: AMC Massachusetts Trail Guide and maps, NY-NJ Trail Conference South Taconic Trail Map.

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View of the Hudson River from the precipitous Breakneck Ridge in the Hudson Highlands

​8: THE HUDSON HIGHLANDS
Where: 1.0 to 1.5 hours north of New York City
What: Over 100 miles of trails crisscross the mountains and hills of the Hudson Highlands on both sides of the Hudson River through several state parks, wildlife preserves, and non-profit conservation lands extending from the New Jersey border to the Connecticut border. Same-day or multi-day overnight backcountry trips and varied same-day loops are all possible. The long-distance Appalachian Trail and the Long Path traverse the Highlands. Some of the most dramatic and rugged terrain in the Northeast can be found where the Hudson River has gouged through the Highlands near Storm King and Bear Mountain (ex., the infamous Breakneck Ridge).
Info: NY-NJ Trail Conference maps; ATC Appalachian New York-New Jersey Guide.

Happy snowless spring hiking!--Paul-William

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