WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST
GREAT GULF WILDERNESS

OSGOOD CAMPSITE - JULY 28-29, 2002

The White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) has forty eight mountains above 4000 feet.  It encompasses five National Wilderness Areas (Pemigewasset, Dry River, Great Gulf, Sandwich Range and Speckled-Carribou), serveral prominent ridgelines (Presidential, Franconia, Carter/Wildcat, Bonds) and three notches (Franconia, Crawford, and Pinkham).

There are several state parks in the Whites, the main ones being Franconia Notch State Park, Crawford Notch State Park, and Mt Washington State Park, and trail management is a coordinated effort with the Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC), Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), Dartmouth Outdoor Club (DOC), and several federal, state, and volunteer organizations that kick in man hours and funds to keep the trails open for hikers and backpackers. 

The AMC Huts, a chain of eight mountain huts, are a major destination for visitors in this area.  Most offer food and lodging high in the alpine areas, and they are a convenient way to lighten your load in this rugged and rocky wilderness.  In the Whites, there are also a large number of overnight shelters and campsites for those who wish for a more intimate wilderness experience.

The Appalachian Trail crosses the Whites, as do hundreds of other hiking trails.  We hiked the Great Gulf trail from the summit of Mt. Washington down to NH 16 and completed a 7.8 mile shuttle hike.  The Park Ranger warned us that the Great Gulf Trail was particularly difficult in wet and foggy weather, and he was 100% correct (especially the section between 4500 and 6200 feet). However, the clouds broke occasionally and the views were spectacular above 4900 feet.

There’s a variety of alpine zones on the hike including tundra, fir and hardwood climates. Two waterfalls drop right next to the trail, which makes for a nice area to rest your screaming quads and calves. The 5000 foot descent (or ascent if you choose to hike up the mountain) will make you feel like you completed a marathon when you finish this hike.