casual hike | 1 Water 1 Coffee 1 Beer

Here’s another great hike for those in the mood for a great alpine view, but without the time or energy for a more ambitious full day hike. Best of all, this hike is literally moments from down town North Conway, for your après-hike convenience. Here’s a quick overview:

View Middle and Peaked in a larger map

The hiking is fairly quick, and the views from the top serve as ample reminder why you came out in the first place! Through the trees a few peaks at Mount Washington can be had, but the real highlights are the Southern Presidentials, the eastern slopes of the Pemi, and the Sandwich Range. See for yourself:

Mt. Chocorua

North Conway, Cathedral, the Southern Presis…

Chocorua Again

Sandwich Range

Gear List (click links for more product info):

For her birthday this year, my mom asked me to bring her and my dad on a quick hike some place nice. Additional constraints included a leisurely start from Methuen, MA around 9AM, and a goal of finishing in time for an early dinner some place up in the mountains followed by the ride back to Mass.

With these things in mind, I pulled out some maps, and guide books and started investigating. The solution could hardly have satisfied our requirements better. Willard is hardly a real mountain; it tops off just under 3000′ and is dwarfed by the surrounding 4 and 5 thousand footers. However, it’s situated right at the crux of Crawford Notch with an outstanding south-facing overlook. Words don’t really do justice to the phenomenon that is Crawford Notch, so I’ll rely on technology.

View Willard in a larger map

The hike conveniently begins at the AMC Highland Center. The route from the lodge up to Willard is less than a mile and half and it covers only 900′ of vertical. The trail takes you over the top of Willard and dumps you out on a spectacular ledge on the south side of the mountain with superb views of the Webster cliffs and the Saco River. After taking in the view for a bit we returned by the same trail back to the lodge below. The whole thing took just over 3 hours – perfect for a casual Sunday afternoon.