Boston's White Mountains Maple Leaf Peeping | While the Crowds Flock t

Boston's White Mountains Maple Leaf Peeping | While the Crowds Flock to the Seas, I'm Among the Mountains 🏞️🍁 Just as the title suggests! Here's a frontline report from a pro at uncovering hidden gems for maple leaf peeping and autumn adventures with an unbeatable experience: October 5-12, 2024, is the peak season. Hurry up and go while the weather's still sunny! ☀️🏃‍♂️ ⛰️ Mount Willard Trail Head 📍 Crawford Notch Station, Crawford Notch Rd, Carroll, NH 03598 🚗 Boston → 2.5h drive 🅿️ No dedicated parking lot, but plenty of roadside parking available 🆓 ⌛️ Tour duration: 2-3 hours 📸P8-10: Scenic views at the foot of the mountain 📸P11-13: Stream-tracing paths at the mountain's base 📸P14-17: Trail conditions on the way up 📸P1-7: Summit vistas Just search for "Mount Willard Trail Head" on your navigation app. The trailhead is super obvious because people come here for two main reasons: 1. To take the scenic train (it stops here on its way to the highest peak in the White Mountains for maple leaf peeping), or 2. To hike the Mount Willard Trail. There are 🚾 at the trailhead. They look normal from the outside, but inside, they're dry composting toilets 😓. There's also a gift shop. Cross the railway tracks and head into the forest. You'll start on a flat path covered in fallen leaves. Later on, there are two opportunities to stream-trace. ⚠️ Make sure to wear waterproof hiking boots 🥾! After crossing the streams, the trail starts to climb. The trail conditions are as shown in P14-17. Overall, the difficulty is moderate to easy. For those out of shape, the challenge lies in the rocky terrain where you have to be careful about where you step. For seasoned hikers, this trail is a piece of cake! The summit is a huge platform where most people who make it to the top linger, chatting, enjoying the breeze, and taking in the distant views. This hike is suitable for all ages. As long as you stay away from the cliffs, there's no danger at all. It's a free view, but the experience is priceless. Compared to the crowds at Artists Bluff (where you even have to queue on the way up), I personally think the scenery here is more in line with my idea of a spiritual sanctuary. Plus, it's only a 30-minute drive from Artists Bluff, so if you don't want to miss out on the Instagram-famous spot, you can totally do both! You know that feeling when you've been hiking uphill for ages with not much to see, and then suddenly, the path opens up into something bright and beautiful? Even a novice hiker like me can be treated to breathtaking views here! 😍👣 #SceneryOnlyVisibleOnFoot #HikingToSeeAutumnBeauty #NatureLovers 🍂🌄