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
1,130 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
"A hike up Cannon with Molly and Sarah. Cloud cover was above us so we could see stuff today. It has been awhile since I was last on the tower. Some ice and snow scattered around. I managed to bareboot the KRT!" — newenglandwarrior • May 11, 2024
"Molly wanted to hike Carrigain for her Grid. I needed something for my Grid gains. We had to do the road walk for 2 miles. There was washout damage along Sawyer River Rd. There were signs of former flooding near the river crossing along Signal Ridge Tr. There was water in several places along the trail below the junction with Carrigain Notch Tr. We headed up Signal Ridge Tr and located the snow. Partway up, we used microspikes. We reached the summit and had some views. But the cloud cover was coming in and out so the views changed. We headed back down. We saw an owl early in the hike!!!" — newenglandwarrior • May 4, 2024
"A Monroe, Washington, Jefferson hike for my Grid and calendar day. Hiked up Ammonoosuc Ravine Tr. From Gem Pond, I used my microspikes on the ascent. I ascended into a cloud and had no views on Monroe and on Washington. On the way over to Jefferson, the cloud cover was breaking up. I dropped my snowshoes just past Jewell Tr. On Jefferson, I had views, but Washington was still in the clouds. I headed back to Jewell Tr and down that, making good time coming down. I was beat after today's hike. Saw a short tailed weasel below the summit of Jeff. " — newenglandwarrior • May 3, 2024
"A Monroe, Washington, Jefferson hike for my Grid and calendar day. Hiked up Ammonoosuc Ravine Tr. From Gem Pond, I used my microspikes on the ascent. I ascended into a cloud and had no views on Monroe and on Washington. On the way over to Jefferson, the cloud cover was breaking up. I dropped my snowshoes just past Jewell Tr. On Jefferson, I had views, but Washington was still in the clouds. I headed back to Jewell Tr and down that, making good time coming down. I was beat after today's hike. Saw a short tailed weasel below the summit of Jeff!!!" — newenglandwarrior • May 3, 2024
"A Monroe, Washington, Jefferson hike for my Grid and calendar day. Hiked up Ammonoosuc Ravine Tr. From Gem Pond, I used my microspikes on the ascent. I ascended into a cloud and had no views on Monroe and on Washington. On the way over to Jefferson, the cloud cover was breaking up. I dropped my snowshoes just past Jewell Tr. On Jefferson, I had views, but Washington was still in the clouds. I headed back to Jewell Tr and down that, making good time coming down. I was beat after today's hike. Saw a short tailed weasel below the summit of Jeff. " — newenglandwarrior • May 3, 2024