New England Fall Colors Hike

Have you ever seen the spectacular colors of the maples and the hobble bush paint the landscape of New England? If not, join us as we hike under a canopy of fall colors in the ancient Appalachian Mountains. These mountains are amongst the oldest mountains on earth and once towered above the continents as the Himalayans do today. The brilliantly jeweled gold and ruby ridges of the White Mountains will be in your memory forever.

The Seattle Mountaineers’ Recreational Properties Division will once again offer an eight-day expedition through the White Mountains of New Hampshire departing October 5 and returning October 12. Since we will be hiking between the Appalachian Mountain club (AMC) full service huts and lodges, you will not have to carry a sleeping bag or food except for lunch.

We will begin with an optional pre-trip social in Portland, Maine on Saturday, October 4. These activities may include exploring Old Town Portland, riding the little island hopping ferry to Peaks Island (off the coast of Maine) kayaking, bicycling, a Happy hour at the home of Mountaineers to celebrate your beach building skills, followed by a Maine lobster dinner. Please click on Portland Images to get a feel for what the East Coast Portland is like.

The next day we will start by taking a private bus through the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We will pass wooden covered bridges and white wash houses on our drive to Franconia Notch. There we will break into two groups. One group following a more strenuous route, the other, follows a more moderate route with various choices for daily hikes. Note that the strenuous route is dotted with large rocks and may include short stretches of scrambling.

The streneous route will consist of stays in AMC's remote huts for the first 4 nights and at the flagship Appalachian Mountain Club Lodge, Highland Lodge the last 3 nights, while the moderate route will consist of stay in remote huts for 2 nights and 4 nights at Highland Lodge. At the Highland Lodge, everyone will have an opportunity to hike up Mt. Washington (highest peak in the northeast) with just a daypack.

At the huts you will be awakened in the morning by a most gentle means, serenading by hut workers or possibly even a guitar. Sometimes the songs are composed and written by the hut staff! What a lovely beginning each morning! At all locations and along all trails, AMC guides and programs will enrich our visit. We guarantee you will long remember those engaging ambassadors of New England’s oldest and largest version of The Mountaineers.


Cost: Approx. $880
Includes: Land costs, meals except one lunch, private bus transfer, lodging in AMC lodges and mountain huts, AMC membership.
Not included: Transfers by AMC as desired by each participant and pre trip activites in Portland Maine on Saturday, October 11. These activities may include exploring Old Town Portland, a Maine lobster dinner, kayaking, bicycling on Peak Island, a Happy hour at the Peak Island, home of a Mountaineer and riding the little island hopping ferry.

Lodging:
Lodges are supplied with linens and showers. Huts offer bunkhouse accommodations where a sleeping sheet, and towels are needed.

Requirements:
Trip limits will be a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 24. Open to all Mountaineers. Participants must be able to hike trails of at least moderate difficulty. Leader’s approval necessary.

Information:
During the summer two "get acquainted" hikes will be offered. Also a pre trip party to look at equipment suggested for the trip. (Late May)

The Leader, Patti Polinsky, has led numerous hiking, climbing and European Trips for the Mountaineers. She has led the Fall Colors trip for the last three years. She is also the director of the Meany Lodge Sports Center, is a Trustee of the Mountaineers.

Reservations:
A deposit of $880 is required per person to reserve a space on the trip. In the event of cancellation, non-recoverable group expenses incurred will be borne by the canceling participant. If cancellation is made prior to June 1, full refund will be made, minus any non-recoverable expenses. After July 1 there will be a cancellation fee of $100 plus any non-recoverable expenses.

Disclaimer:
The leader or The Mountaineers reserve the right to cancel the trip or to make changes in the itinerary, and the extra cost, if any, shall be paid by the trip members. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a trip member should such person’s health, mental condition, physical infirmity or general deportment impede the operation of the trip or the rights or welfare and enjoyment of other trip members, and refund of unused trip services will be the limit of liability of The Mountaineers

 

Contact the leader, Patti Polinsky at MeanySports@Mac.com or 206/525-7464.