12    New Hampshire         161 miles / 258 km

Upon crossing the Connecticut River I arrived in Hanover. Here is the Dartmouth College located, one of the old east coast universities of the US. The university had their family day and all hotels were solidly booked. There is no hostel in Hanover. With a lot of luck I got a room at a hotel in nearby White River Junction. When leaving Hanover the trail passes by a real football (soccer) field. Immediately after passing by mosquitoes were every where. I had to use deet. After a few miles it became better again.

Just short of starting hiking in the White Mountains I staid at the hostel at Franconia Notch. The AMC, one the AT clubs, maintains a number of huts with bunkrooms as well as meals. To stay over night is not really cheap. These huts are directly adjacent to the trail. AMC does accept daily the first two hikers for the night to sleep on the floor in the dining areas. As this is work for stay next morning some work has to be done. I was lucky ones

I climbed from Franconia Notch until passing the tree line. This is at about 5,000 feet and there are hardly any plants. Instead there is a great view. To get to Crawford Notch I descended again. From here I had a short side trip to Bretton Woods. I wanted to see the room where after the 2nd world war amongst other currency exchange rates were set. This place also offers a cog rail way up to Mount Washington. Interesting mode of transportation but I was here for hiking. I hiked up to the top being at 1,916 m the highest mountain in the White Mountains. With a larger group of hikers I had lunch at the self serve restaurant at the top.

I continued down again to Pinkham Notch. Here I staid at the hostel again. This way I avoided a very strong downpour. Some of my fellow hikers who did not join me at the hostel got really soaking wet. From here I went up into the skiing area on the slopes of Wildcat Mountains. And then I continued into Maine.

Beaver Brook water fall, New Hampshire

View south from Franconia Ridge, White Mountains, New Hampshire

Signpost near Lake of the Clouds Hut, White Mountains, New Hampshire

View of Mount Adams, White Mountains, New Hampshire

AT board walk through boggy area, New Hampshire

AT in Carter Mountains, New Hampshire

New Hampshire - Maine state line

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