The mega-classic New Hampshire peak challenge and one of the most popular peak challenges in the world. Includes all New Hampshire peaks over 4,000 ft high with at least 200 ft of prominence. All peaks lie in the White Mountains of northern New Hampshire, a 2-3 hour drive from Boston, MA and Portland, ME. Started in 1957 by the AMC based on the Adirondack 46er challenge. More on the history here: http://www.amc4000footer.org/history.html
Highest peak
Mount Washington
6,288 ft / 1,916 m
Most prominent peak
Mount Washington
6,148 ft / 1,873 m prom
Most summited peak
Mount Washington
1,118 summits
Most difficult peak
Mount Washington
Class 1
Difficulty breakdown
Class 1/2 5 peaks
Highlights
- One of the most popular Peak Challenges in the world. First created in 1957 and modeled after the Adirondack 46er Peak Challenge.
- All peaks have official trails (except infamous Owls Head, often saved for last, which has an unofficial route to the summit that isn't really different than some of the other official trails).
- Emerge from the forest to explore the incredible alpine environments of the White Mountains. Treeline here is about 4,400 ft so this challenge will bring you to all the above-treeline spots in the range.
- Traverse the dramatic alpine landscape of the Presidential Range and climb the highest and most famous mountain in the northeast, Mount Washington.
- Hike deep into the heart of the Pemigewasset Wilderness and summit the remote, above-treeline Bonds.
- Embrace the notoriously steep, rugged trails of the White Mountains. Some of the steepest are the Flume Slide Trail, Tripyramid Trail (north slide path), Hancock Loop (south face of Mt Hancock), Willey Range Trail (east face of Willey), Wildcat Ridge Trail, and the Desolation Trail off the back of Carrigain. There are many more.
Latest summits
"We started at 8 am, a couple cars beat us. Cloudy skies and in the 30s-40s at the base. The first mile was gradual with patches of snow. Snowshoes were needed for the rest of the ascent. The next 2 miles were basically straight up until a junction. We decided to skip South peak, as it wasn't broken out. The mile to Moosilauke peak was a flat alpine zone then a bare climb. Some peaking views through the clouds but overall was in the cold and windy haze at the summit." — gregoryskiba • Mar 16, 2024
"Warm, wet, foggy, windy with low visibility on our climb up then as we approached, the final 0.3 miles, the clouds parted to let the blue sky greet us. Perfect timing for some photo ops while taking in the views. On our way down we got to see what we missed on the way up. Because of the conditions many folks turned around and missed a nice day. Once back to tree line the clouds came back.
Trail conditions were less than favorable with soft mushy snow, some ice/crusty snow and way too many exposed rocks. No need for snowshoes only spikes which were useful half the time and a complete PIA the other half. Plunging into mini-ponds on our way back." — Nimblefoot • Mar 3, 2024
"A hike for a Calendar Day and for Molly's Grid. We did a car spot so we could grab NE Cannonball for her NEHHw. From Lafayette Campground, we hiked up a hard packed trail up to Lonesome Lake. We then hiked into the col. A short steep hike took us to NE Cannonball. We carefully came down (some slick spots) then headed up Cannon. There was a lot of really icy areas and we had to go off trail for a few of them. Once above them, it was a quick hike to the summit of Cannon. It was windy on the summit and some low cloud cover. We were not socked in, but Franconia Ridge was not visible. We came down the KRT down to the Tramway." — newenglandwarrior • Mar 2, 2024
"Five of us drove to Twin Mountain,NH with one mission to get the smallest and oldest member of our group, 82 yo Marguerite(AKA Itty Bitty), to Mount Jefferson. It would be her finale peak of her W48 quest.
Today we choose Mount Jackson as our warm up hike/peak while we wait for bluebird day for Jefferson. Unbeknownst to us she began to suffer a small stroke as we started the hike from Rt 302. Moving very slowly and unable to talk within minutes of the road we promptly aborted and got her back to the motel. The local in our group got her to the hospital in Littleton for an MRI then got admitted.
The three of us went back to the TH and had a wonderful romp up to the open summit. The forecasted strong winds and cold temps were not an issue as we took in the fine views, particularly to the Presi range.
" — Nimblefoot • Mar 1, 2024
"A hike with Molly for our Grid. Busy day out on the trails. We headed up Falling Waters Tr and reached Little Haystack. Beautiful day up on the ridge. No wind until the northern side of Lincoln. We bundled up on Lincoln and wore jackets until Greenleaf Hut. Blue skies and fantastic views all the way across. We came down Greenleaf Tr and Old Bridal Path. We both picked up 2 Grid peaks today. " — newenglandwarrior • Feb 25, 2024