White Mountain Memorial Weekend Expedition

We depart New York City early Saturday morning driving into the heart of the White Mountains, the most rugged in the Northeast. Along the way, we will stop for dinner and bathroom breaks. Upon arrival in the early afternoon, we will strap on our boots and hike three miles into the mountains where our backcountry hut awaits. Tonight your Outdoor Bound guides will serve you a delicious and warm meal. With bellies full and a cup of hot cocoa in hand, you can retire to the library for a quiet read, play some cards in the game room or just hit the hay for the night! Rest up, for Sunday we have an invigorating day of exploring the Presidential Range.

After a restful sleep and a hearty breakfast, we will begin our hike into the Presidential Range wilderness. Jackson, Pierce an Eisenhower are just a few of the presidents that have been memorialized by these great peaks. Shortly after our start, we will have entered the high-alpine zone of fragile flora and fantastic views of the Presidential Wilderness. On the return, we will hike through Cloudwater bog, a true alpine environment where rainwater cannot escape, and home to the most diverse vegetation in the White Mountains. Shortly after the bog, we will begin our last climb to Mount Jackson. At 4,052 feet, we can enjoy our last glimpses of the Presidential Range before our descent. The journey will end back at the Crawford Notch where you can enjoy a shower and more fabulous food.

All aboard the cog railway! After breakfast, we will hop on the train departing at 10:00 AM sharp. This old-fashioned, coal powered train ride takes about three hours round trip. Bring old cotton clothing, for the coal embers can get you dirty as they fly past the open-air passenger cars! The entire ride is filled with incredible views, slightly hair-raising inclines and of course the peak of Mount Washington. Once we reach the summit at 6,288 feet, we will have 20 minutes to enjoy the views, take pictures and grab a snack or a drink at the summit gift shop. When we return to the base of the train, we will grab a quick lunch and head on back to NYC at 1:30 PM. Drop off is at 73rd and Broadway at 8:30 PM.

The Cog Railway

Built in 1869, this old-fashioned cog railway is surely one of the most innovative industrial accomplishments of its time. The idea for the railway came from Sylvester Marsh, who after becoming lost near the summit of Mount Washington, thought that there must be an easier way to reach the top of the highest peak in the Northeast. Whether carting supplies over 25 miles with the use of ox-trains was “easy” remains in debate. Regardless, Marsh realized his dream which still transports sight-seers of all kind to New Hampshire’s most rugged summit. The round trip cog is approximately three hours in length, including a 20-minute stop at the top to take in the views or grab a cup of hot cocoa at the summit gift shop.

We offer adventures for everyone, no matter what your skill level. This guide will help you decide which trip is right for you.

• Activity

  How long (in hours) you may be active every day during the trip.

• Distances

  You should feel confident that you would be able to complete these distances every day of your trip.

• Surfaces

  What types of terrain you may encounter and should be prepared for on your trip.

• Elevation Change

  The largest elevation change you may encounter on your trip.

• Altitude

  The highest elevation you may reach on your trip.

Welcome to the outdoors! These trips are designed to introduce you to new challenges and new adventurers. Take in the scenery, tackle moderate elevation, experience some local flavor, and enjoy your day out of the office.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for one to three hours. Take a long walk around Central Park to make sure you’re comfortable being outdoors and active for at least a two-hour period.

• Distances

  For our Level 1 trips, you’ll be walking or hiking less than three miles. Think about this distance in terms of the width of Manhattan. Walking from the Hudson to the East River via 14th street is just under two miles.

• Surfaces

  You’ll be walking on flat terrain. This means there will be limited rocks and a few tree roots.

• Elevation Change

  There will be little or no elevation change on this trip. To simulate the change in elevation, trying walking three flights of stairs and back.

• Altitude

  Less than 3,000 feet.

Level 2 trips will give you a taste of what hiking is all about. Test yourself on intermediate terrain, including light rock scrambles and ascending multiple peaks. The trips will invigorate you and inspire you to continue strengthening your hiking skills.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for four to six hours. Prepare for the trip by jogging three miles around Central Park.

• Distances

  Plan on getting starter miles under your belt. You’ll be doing up to six miles on this trip. You can imagine this distance in terms of the full Central Park loop, which is 6.1 miles.

• Surfaces

  You’ll be hiking on rolling terrain. You can expect rock surfaces, steeps, roots and small boulders.

• Elevation Change

  There could be up to an accumulative 1,500 feet per day.

• Altitude

  From sea level to 6,000 feet.

Level three hikes will challenge you with a faster pace and longer distances. This hard work allows you to see more terrain and higher vistas. You should expect to be tired and fulfilled on the van ride home.

• Activity

  We’ll be out on the trails for five to eight hours. Prepare for this trip by maintaining your daily fitness regime that includes both cardio and strength.

• Distances

  Be ready to cover some serious distance. We may hike up to ten miles today before heading back to the city. This is the distance between Battery Park and Washington Heights in Manhattan.

• Surfaces

  We’ll be walking on rolling or mountainous terrain. This will require navigating various rock faces and trail conditions including steep inclines and uneven ground.

• Elevation Change

  There could be up to 2,000 feet per day.

• Altitude

  From sea level to 10,000 feet.

Deep inside you is a desire to push past your limit. On these hikes you’ll be challenged by some of the steepest elevations and technical terrain available. These trips are for endurance athletes and those who wish to push their physical abilities.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for six to nine hours. You can best prepare for a Level 4 trip by maintaining your intense fitness regiment, trying to get your mile time below 7 minutes, and hiking consistently on the weekends.

• Distances

  Level 4 hikes can be up to 16 miles. This is the distance between Wall Street and Yonkers.

• Surfaces

  These trails will be mountainous with exposed terrain, uneven trails and steep ascents/descents. Most hikes will require not only hiking boots but also additional gear like hiking poles and headlamps.

• Elevation Change

  There could be elevation change of up to 3,000 feet per day and possible altitude.

• Altitude

  From sea level to 14,000 feet.

Prepare yourself for the ultimate outdoor experience. If you yearn to touch the sky and think the rewards outweigh the risks and extreme conditions, this is what you’re looking for. Over the course of multiple days you will be called upon to prove you belong among the best.

• Activity

  You should be ready for at least ten hours a day of pain, challenge, and constant small victories.

• Distances

  You should expect to be hiking for at least twelve miles a day. Prepare for this by racing in triathlons, training for a marathon and up keeping your hiking skills.

• Surfaces

  On Level 5 trips you will be trekking in remote mountains with exposed terrain and loose features.

• Elevation Change

  There could be elevation change of 5,000 feet per day.

• Altitude

  Altitude change could also reach up to 14,000 feet.