HOST: Cherie Bélanger | @cherie_hikes | New Hampshire Ambassador

ACTIVITY: Hiking

LOCATION: Holderness, NH

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Free

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: November 14, 2024

MINORS ALLOWED: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

Limit: 10

Mounts Morgan and Percival are distinguished mountains in the Sandwich range for being on both the NH 52 With a view, AND Terrifying 25 lists. While the challenge of this hike will be its technical nature, there are bypass trails that can be taken to get around the most technical parts. Challenge rating for this hike is moderate with 5.5 miles of trail and 1,522 ft of vertical gain.

We will be taking a SLOW pace, stopping frequently, and there are 2 summit areas with phenomenal views where extended breaks will be taken. The first 1.5 miles of the hike is a fairly standard NH climb. The final 0.25 miles up Morgan's summit features 3 ladders (about 25 feet total) bolted to, and climbing up a rock face. After the second ladder, a horizontal transfer to the 3rd ladder will be necessary before reaching the top of the ledge, and scrambling on all fours through a 12 foot boulder cave leading to a final scramble to the summit.

For those who get to the ladders and decide it's too much, there is an alternate trail that goes around to the summit while avoiding them. After catching our breath on Morgan, we'll make our way along a mostly flat 1 mile of trail to get to the Percival summit for another break and pictures. From here, there will be 2 choices of descent from the summit area, either down a massive glacial rockslide, through more boulder caves where we'll be working as a team to get ourselves and our packs through the caves, or down a much less technical cliff walk for those feeling less limber. The chambers inside the caves are roomy, but we will need to take off packs and pass them through a couple of smaller openings.

After the cliff/cave walks, the rest of the hike is fairly standard without any further technical challenges. While this is not a super challenging hike, those with an extreme fear of heights, or tight spaces MAY find parts of the hike to be particularly unsettling. If you are unsure, know that there are alternative routes one can use to skip the most technical parts. This hike will be cancelled if wet or icy conditions are present, which would make the climb or descent dangerous.

Registration has closed.

If you haven’t joined the New England FB group you can do so here!

HOST: Heidi Lewis | New Hampshire Ambassador

ACTIVITY: Hiking

LOCATION: Moultonborough, NH

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Free

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: October 31, 2024

MINORS ALLOWED: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

Limit: 12

Join Us for an Scenic Hike Up Mount Roberts! Get ready to explore the Ossipee Mountains as we hike to the summit of Mount Roberts, the westernmost peak in the Castle in the Clouds complex. This scenic trail offers breathtaking views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the surrounding mountains.

What to Expect:

• A moderately challenging hike (5.2 miles, 1,335 elevation gain)
• Gorgeous vistas and photo opportunities along the way
• A chance to connect with fellow hiking enthusiasts
• Lunch/snacks at the summit (bring your own)

Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking to enjoy the great outdoors, this is an event you won’t want to miss! Let’s hit the trail together and enjoy a day of adventure in the beautiful White Mountains!

Event full. Registration has closed.

If you haven’t joined the New England FB group you can do so here!

HOST: Cherie Bélanger | New Hampshire Ambassador

ACTIVITY: Hiking

LOCATION: Moultonborough, NH

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Free

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: October 17, 2024

MINORS ALLOWED: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

Limit: 14

By popular demand, we'll be offering a repeat of our last fall foliage hike in NH. Our route will start near Castle in the Clouds and take us on a 10 mile trek to stop at 3 outlooks with amazing, and different views, followed by a brook walk featuring 7 waterfalls.

Our planned route will be approximately 10 miles, and total elevation gain for the day will be around 1,200 feet. We will be taking a leisurely pace, stopping for water/food breaks often. Most sections of trail are wide, well maintained, and the main ascent rarely goes above a 6% grade. It's an old carriage road with plenty of switchbacks to keep it from getting too steep, a rare trail feature in NH. On easier sections, we'll be aiming for 30 minute miles.

Plan to be out for approximately 6 1/2 hours, including stops. The challenge rating for this hike is Moderate. The trail, terrain and climbing are not difficult but the distance could be a challenge for someone who doesn't walk very much.

Registration has closed for this event.

If you haven’t joined the New England FB group you can do so here!

HOST: Cherie Bélanger | New Hampshire Ambassador

ACTIVITY: Lost River Gorge Hike

LOCATION: North Woodstock, NH

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10 (See Below)

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Admission is waived for our group. Donations strongly encouraged to support LGBT Outdoors and the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: September 27, 2024

MINORS ALLOWED: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: No

Limit: 30

Join the NH chapter of LGBT Outdoors, The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, and LezHang Seacoast for a family-friendly visit to Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves in North Woodstock, one of the 5 Hikes Challenge destinations for the Forest Society this fall.

After walking the 1 mile of boardwalk trail and exploring 11 boulder caves, participants will share a (BYO) picnic lunch, good company, and beautiful views of Kinsman Notch. (Moderate hike with 1,000 steps into and out of the gorge.)

The Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves is a land of spectacular beauty forged by the powerful forces of water, wind, weather, and time.

The shaping of Kinsman Notch and the surrounding mountains began about 300 million years ago. The Ice Age brought glaciers more than a mile thick that grounded, lifted, and deposited rocks that formed notches and mountains. When the ice melted, the water carried debris, eroding the rocks and forming Lost River Gorge.

Lost River is so-named because the brook draining from the south east part of Kinsman Notch disappears below the surface in the narrow, steep-walled glacial gorge. The Gorge is partially filled with immense blocks of granite, through which the brook cascades along its subterranean course until it eventually emerges and joins the Pemigewasset River, which flows south from Franconia Notch.

In the early 1900s, as logging increased in the area and threatened the beauty of Lost River Gorge and the surrounding area, there was a need to protect this natural wonder. A newly formed, private nonprofit conservation organization – the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests recognized that need and purchased Lost River in 1912. Still owned by the Forest Society today, and now leased and operated by the White Mountains Attractions Association, the two organizations work closely together to provide guests the opportunity to experience the fun, challenge, and excitement of Lost River.

Registration Closed

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HOST: Jac Goldstein | Massachusetts Ambassador

ACTIVITY: Hiking

LOCATION: Lynn, MA

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Free

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: September 13, 2024

MINORS ALLOWED: No

DOGS ALLOWED: Yes, on leash

Limit: 8

If you’re planning on (or just interested in) going backpacking, join us for an equipped training hike on this moderate 4.5 mile loop around Lynn Woods, a reservation of 2,200 acres with over 30 miles of scenic trails and three active reservoirs.

With our gear, we'll start by the Rose Garden and loop counterclockwise, stopping for snacks half-way at Walden Pond. With less than 100 feet in elevation change, this is an ideal loop to train for backpacking. The anticipated pace will be 1.5 - 2 miles per hour (30 - 40 minutes per mile) with about 30 minutes for a snack break.

To sign up, click the “Register Here” button below and follow the steps.

If you haven’t joined the New England FB group you can do so here!

HOST: Heidi Lewis | New Hampshire Ambassador

ACTIVITY: Hiking

LOCATION: Strafford, NH

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Free

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: August 30, 2024

MINORS ALLOWED: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

Limit: 12

Join us as we hike one of my favorite local hikes on Parker Mountain in Strafford.

Although there are a few lookouts on the way up, the summit of Parker Mountain isn’t much to see except a huge cairn. The real beauty of the hike is the view overlooking Bow Lake from the ledges about a mile beyond the summit. Fortunately, there isn’t a lot of elevation change from the summit to the ledges. A good portion of the elevation gain happens within the first 30 minutes of the hike, which is the most challenging part.

You’ll get the hard work out of the way and then be able to kick back and enjoy the scenery! We will take this hike slowly with plenty of water and rest breaks including a longer stop at the ledges for lunch.

This is a good beginner hike with 3.6 total miles and an elevation gain of 623 ft.

To sign up, click the “Register Here” button below and follow the steps.

If you haven’t joined the New England Facebook group you can do so here!