Hanover - Gorham

imported
#1

How long in miles and hiking time from Hanover (NH) to Gorham ? I am planning a little hike but I need some advice.

Thank You
Storm

Storm

#2

Storm, I just got my 2006 Data book, it’s about 144 miles. I have never hiked in NH, so I don’t know if I could give you any advice. I will say, Have an awesome hike!!

bctoOz

#3

Hanover to Glencliff is not bad. However, Glencliff to Gorham was pretty tough. Most people consider this 100 mile stretch as the “whites”. But bare in mind that by the time re reached Hanover we had already hiked 1600 miles and were pretty tired.
If you give yourself enough time this can be enjoyable. It took us 9 days to get through the whites.

Up and Down

#4

As stated above, it is a tough section. It starts out very easy by going over some low ledges near the Velvet Rocks area just outside of Hanover and continues easy until you come to Moose Mt. and Smarts Mt. Then Mt. Cube (all rugged but not too bad). Once you get to Glencliff, you are at the base of Moosilauke (sp?). Here the going gets tougher but the views are the reward for your efforts. You will be way up there in some of the most beautiful country (the Whites). With the Whites, you will come acros their hut system. There are shelters and campsites between most of the huts, so you do not necessarily have to shell out the steep fees to stay at them (although some of their shelter areas also charge - $11.00, the last time I checked). Some (thru-hikers) often do a work for stay option but that depends upon if the hut has not already filled their quota for that. All in all, you should have a very nice time in that area. Enjoy!

WoodBadge

#5

Storm,

This is a great section!! We loved it when we went through on our thru hike. We probably averaged about 15 miles a day until Glencliff. Then slowed to about 10 to 12 miles a day. The huts and shelters will slow you down some because of the distance between campsites. The notches were the best climbs (Crawford, Franconia, Pinkham). Flame didn’t like the climb down Beaver Falls (Moosilauke)or the climb over the Wildcats. I almost forgot the climb up Kinsman was a blast. You spend a lot of time trying to figure where you can get a hand and foot hold!

Take your time in the Whites, it is beautiful. We had clear days when we went through in late August but a thru hiker friend (Harley) died a couple of days later near Mt. Madison just past Mt. Washington when he got wet and the temps dropped below freezing. Be prepared for some crazy weather in the Whites.

Pack Rat at the Glencliff hostel had a list of stealth sites in the Whites and it came in handy.

Have a great hike!

Papa Smurf

#6

This is a great section to hike. If you’re starting your Hanover-Gorham hike without “trail hardness” (already on the trail for a few weeks) I’d allow two weeks. Thats only 10 or so miles per day but north of Moosilauke these are very rugged miles. Its also good to have extra days for laying low for bad weather and slowing down for good weather and spectacular scenary. The Appalachian Mountain Club maintains the trail and most of the shelter/campsites between Kinsman Notch and Gorham, eight of them, and they do charge an $8 fee (its never been more) to pay for composting human waste, trail and campsite maintenance and the caretaker who does this work.

Celt