Plans for this years Fall Hiking Weekend have been finalized. We will be heading to the White Mountains of New Hampshire on the weekend of October 26-28. After four consecutive years in Stowe we decided to try a new area this year.

This will be our second trip to the New Hampshire, but the first to time to the heart of White Mountains. In 2003 we stayed in Fairlee, VT, along the Connecticut River and hiked Mount Moosilauke in the western Whites. This year we are staying at Woodward's Resort in Lincoln, NH, near Franconia Notch and at the west end of the Kancamagus Highway.

The hotel is within 20-30 minutes of numerous 5000 plus peaks. There are also many easier trails for those that prefer an easier pace.

We will be staying at the Woodward's Resort. You can visit their website at www.woodwardsresort.com. In addition to their excellent proximity to the hiking trails, they offer a full breakfast, tennis courts, an indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, and meeting facilities. The rooms are equipped with cable TV and wi-fi access.

The hotel has set aside a block of rooms for the Rip Van Winkle Hikers. You can call the hotel directly at 1-800-635-8968 to reserve a room. Please tell the clerk that you are with the Rip Van Winkle Hikers. I would appreciate it if you could drop me an email at fresmith@hughes.net when you have booked so that I can keep track of the number signed up.

As in past years, if you are single and need a roommate or want to share a ride up, drop me an email and we'll send it out on the club mailing list.

RATES:

The rate structure this year is per night, based upon double occupancy (two people in a room). The rate is $87 per night and includes the full breakfast. A single person in a room would be $78 per night.

Each additional person in a room would be $14 extra per night ($5 plus $9 for the breakfast).

Most rooms have two double beds, but ask for specifics as there are some varied rooms and a few cottages, etc.

Add a 9% NH hotel occupancy tax

The package includes the two nights accommodation and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. Boxed lunches can be pre-ordered at the desk for Saturday's hike. Please tell them when you arrive that you will be picking up a lunch on Saturday morning. The cost is $12.

The 'official club weekend' is Fri/Sat nights, but some people may choose to stay a third night (Sunday night). The same rate of $78 double occupancy + breakfast will also apply. Unfortunately we did no get any special deal for Sunday night this year.

The club will get together for dinner at 7:00 PM on Saturday night. There is a restaurant on-premises at the resort and each person can order straight off the menu

TRAVEL TO LINCOLN, NH:

The area can be accessed primarily via interstate highways, or a more "scenic route" through Vermont is possible. The "interstate route" from the Hudson Valley would be the Thruway (I-87) to the Berkshire Connector and Mass Pike (I-90) and then I-91 north, following the Connecticut River Valley to northern VT/NH. Then east about 28 miles via NH 301/NH 112 to the North Woodstock/Lincoln area. I will send directions for a few different routes as the weekend approaches.

HIKES:

We will be staying right in the heart of the White Mountains with numerous 4000 foot plus peaks and several 5000 foot plus peaks within 20 to 30 minutes. Just to the north in the Franconia Notch area: Cannon Mountain (4180'); North (4293') and South (4356') Kinsman Mountains; Flume Mountain (4325'); Mount Liberty (4459'); Little Haystack Mountain (4760'); Mount Lincoln (5089'); and Mount Lafayette (5260'). To the east Mount Carrington rises to 4760' and to the west Mount Moosilauke rises to 4802'. Mount Osceola (4340') to the southeast is a more moderate hike with a base elevation at over 2300'. Mount Washington (6288') and the Presidential Range is about 35 miles drive east via the Kancamagus Highway.

Easier hikes and walks include the Franconia Notch bike path (8.5 miles from N to S), the nearby Lincoln Woods trail along the Pemigewasset River, the 4.4 mile Greeley Ponds North Trail and the 7.4 mile Greeley Ponds South Trail with it's moderate 700' elevation gain. Nearby Franconia Notch State park offers easy and moderate hikes such as the Flume Gorge Trail.

AREA ATTRACTIONS:

Lincoln is located near the western terminus of the Kancamagus Highway ( http://www.kancamagushighway.com/ ) and about 20 minutes south of Franconia Notch. The nearby village of North Woodstock has various shops and places to eat. The White Mountain National Forest Visitor's Center is located in North Woodstock. The 35 mile long Kancamagus Highway extends east to North Conway and the Mount Washinton area. This National Scenic Byway reaches an elevation of 2860 feet at ane Pass and offers easy access to the scenic Sabbaday Falls. At the eastern terminus is the Presidential Range and the town of North Conway with it's Outlet Malls and other attractions. Other nearby attractions include Bretton Woods Resort, site of the famous conference of world leaders in 1944; Franconia Notch State Park with it's 800 foot long Flume Gorge and the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway to the top of the 4180' peak.