T
his past Tuesday, I suggested a hike to Nancy - either down Rye Beach or up North to climb Mount Jefferson. We chose the latter, driving up I-93 to the mountain, which stands at 5,712 feet as the third highest in the state. However, it has the shortest distance to climb among its peers if you take the Caps Ridge Trail. Due to time constraints, we took the easy route by driving on Jefferson Notch Road from Bretton Woods to the base of the trail, which starts at 3,009 feet.

    The gravel scenic road follows a beautiful brook with waterfalls and is the highest point of a public road in New Hampshire. This made for a shorter hike, roughly 2,700 vertical feet to the summit. The climb begins gradually, but once it reaches a massive boulder overlook, it becomes steeper and more challenging as you scramble up to the "caps," three distinct pinnacles of ledge.

    We didn't make it to the top after my second knee replacement; I figured one more hike before hitting the summit was enough. The smoke and whistle of the Cog Railroad on Mount Washington were invigorating to see. New Hampshire is a great state to live in, with almost 800,000 acres of White Mountain National Forest where you can escape daily stresses.

    The lush boreal zone, majestic conifers, and stunted fir rekindle the spirit, nature's way of healing one's soul. Rock by rock, root by root, New Hampshire's trails are rugged and not as manicured as out west or in Switzerland. With 48 4,000-footers, more than any state in New England, there's no shortage of hiking opportunities.

    Mount Washington, at 6,288 feet, is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States, a very tough climb especially when tackling Tuckerman's Ravine and the Rock Pile. I remember climbing up to Tuckerman's with my son Chris and his friend Patrick when they were eight years old, carrying plastic sleds up and flying down the slushy trail into streams.

    Everyone who lives in New Hampshire has their favorite hikes, and thousands of hikers aim to conquer the 48 4,000-footers. Most of us stick to a few favorite hikes we can conquer in a shorter hike. West Rattlesnake is a popular short hike with stunning views of Squam Lake and Lake Winnipesaukee.

    Mount Major offers both brook and main trail loop, with an elevation gain of 1,151 feet. Welch-Dickey Loop Trail gets challenging near the top due to a steep wall of flat granite, but offers beautiful tranquil views above the treeline. The Franconia Ridge Loop Trail is one of the most iconic hikes in the east, encompassing three peaks along an exposed narrow ridge.

    The Falling Water Trail is my favorite long hike, very exposed to rough weather, but on a brilliant day it's a 10/10. However, with my knee recovery, it's not on the cards for this year. The Flume Gorge is a great place to bring kids for a quick adventure, a jaw-dropping cool natural phenomenon along a river with cascading waterfalls.

    Mount Willard Trail near Bretton Woods offers easy-to-moderate hiking with insane views of Crawford Notch. Mount Chocorua in Albany is one of the most photographed mountains in the country, with a distinct rocky summit and steep ledgy sections. Artist Bluff Trail is a great short hike up to Bald Mountain with rewarding views of Echo Lake.

    Belknap Range Trails offer a multitude of trails to explore, including Mount Rowe, Gunstock Mountain, Belknap Mountain, and Piper Mountain. With hundreds of other trails throughout the Granite State, there's no shortage of hiking opportunities in New Hampshire, which is the second most forested state in the country.