September 29, 2025 — This was my first real hike after dropping 25lbs of bodyweight, and I was pretty excited to see how my body would move around on this High Peak hike. I like to constantly reassess my own fitness level on these trips to help me plan for the next one, and the High Peaks present a great opportunity to test myself for all of the cross-country hikes in the Southwest I like to do. Speaking to the hike itself, it begins at the Trailhead off Route 73, the same location one would start at to reach the Nubble, which I also highly recommend one visit at some point. The hike starts off on a somewhat winding wooded trail with switchbacks and several stream crossings. The terrain is surprisingly smooth, relatively speaking compared to your typical rough Adirondack hike. As you work your way closer to the summit, the trail will give way to granite slabs and some scrambling. I found the hike to be rather easy, partially due to the weight loss, but admittedly the trail being relatively smooth meant every step was far more efficient and autonomous. That probably played a bigger factor in the ease of the trail. I contemplated tagging Rocky Peak Ridge as well, but the weather was unusually warm in the 70s, and I had only brought 3 liters of water with me. I was content with the views anyway, and quickly worked my way back down the trail.
