Easy hikes and walks in Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness

Lake of the Clouds Hut is the highest and one of the most iconic of the AMC’s backcountry huts. Perched at 5,012 feet between Mount Monroe and Mount Washington, it offers stunning alpine views, dramatic sunsets, and a front-row seat to the Presidential Range’s famously unpredictable weather. It's a great place to stop and refill water bottles or shelter from the weather on a day hike or an iconic (and popular!) place to spend the night. The hut is full-service during the summer and early fall, with bunk accommodations, family-style dinner and breakfast, potable water, and composting toilets. It sleeps over 90 hikers and is a popular overnight stop for those tackling the Presidential Traverse. Reservations are essential and fill quickly.

Washington is the most prominent mountain in the eastern U.S. and an absolutely incredible peak to bag. This is easily one of the best summits in New England. It is also the most dangerous if you come unprepared, especially in the winter. Washington creates its own rapidly changing weather system and is known for being the deadliest small mountain in the world. The second-fastest wind speed on earth was recorded here at over 230mph. That said, a quarter million people visit Washington every year, and if you come prepared and respect the mountain you have nothing to fear and are guaranteed to have an epic summit.

The 'Coliseum Falls' are located below the 'Bemis Brook Falls' on the trail of the same name, a less frequented alternative to the 'Arethusa Falls'. The water falls down a low granite step and flows over a long, flat granite slab in the valley floor down into the 'Fawn Pool'. In dry times you can walk from the waterfall to the pool on the granite slab. https://www.newenglandwaterfalls.com/nh-arethusafalls.html

The 'Bemis Brook Falls' are located below the 'Arethusa Falls' and can be reached on the 'Bemis Brook Waterfalls Trail'. This alternative route to the 'Arethusa Falls' runs along the valley floor and climbs steeply up to the main route at the lower waterfall. Only a few hikers visit the smaller waterfall, which falls over four steps of granite rock. https://www.newenglandwaterfalls.com/nh-arethusafalls.html

The 'Bemis Brook Waterfalls Trail' is a trail variant to the 'Arethusa Falls'. The route runs along the valley floor of the 'Bemis Brook' and climbs steeply up to the main route at the lower waterfall. https://www.newenglandwaterfalls.com/nh-arethusafalls.html

Arethusa Falls on Bemis Brook are considered the highest single-stage waterfall accessible by hiking trail in New England. The hike to Arethusa Falls on the trail of the same name is one of the most popular day hikes in White Mountain National Forest. There is a large parking lot at the trailhead on Crawford Notch Road - US Route 302; park admission costs $5 per vehicle. https://www.newenglandwaterfalls.com/nh-arethusafalls.html

Dress warmly. Snow season begins July 1 and ends June 30. We were at 68 mph at the summit. Keeping your hat on is a good idea. Two days ago, when we were last up there, it was 73 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind was blowing lightly around 23 mph. Mt. Washington is the highest peak within 1,000 miles, making it an exposed location with what the US Weather Service calls the worst and most surprising weather in the world.

Nice stop at mountain lakes