[at-l] Best Blue Blazes

[rickboudrie@hotmail.com (rick boudrie)]

How about retracing on's steps over the Presidential or Franconia Ridge if 
you hike them in the fog on your first pass. Or even if the weather was 
spectacular?  Once a NOBO comes down to Pinkham notch, there are some 
absolutely amazing trails back up Mount Washington that far surpass that 
which you came down.  I mean there is some really cool hiking to be had on 
anothe summit.  You could add a bit of a loop to your to you line.  Whats 
the rush?

No, thats not going to happen.  Not sure why since that is such a unique and 
wonderful part of the Trail, but its not.

On the otherhand, the relatively short blue-blaze to the RMC camps (the 
Perch or Gray Knob) do allow you to spend more time above treeline in the 
Presies, and are not much of a drop in elevation at all.  It is a good 
stretch of trail.  It also allows you to avoid a stay with 90 paying guests 
at Lakes of the Clouds.  But even if you do stay at lakes, why not check it 
out.  It looks like a bit of drop in elevations, but since you are abouve 
tree line, it really doesn't feel like it.

BTW, the National Geographic will publish a map in the next month or teo 
that covers the entire AT in NH.  It will show more great blue-blazes than 
you can imagine.  I think the best might be the ones that return to the AT 
where they left off, since the AT is so cool there that it is really not 
something you want to miss.

Rick B

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