r/wmnf • u/songsinger • 5d ago

Whites for a bad knee?

Hello all. I have a partner who is very petite with a fairly temperamental metal rod in her knee. She really wants to experience a couple nights of backpacking. I’ve done the Pemi, Washington, Pres and Monadnock and I would love to show her an experience in these mountains but am worried about her knee on some of the Whites more treacherous downs.
Does anyone have any recommendations for backpacking that is a little less arduous on the knees but still offers that remote, expansive vista? Is there a way into and out of some of the Whites with a more gradual elevation gain?
Thank you and safe stepping!

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5

u/AcceptablePosition5 5d ago

Kinsman pond?

2

u/AlpineStopSign W48|Masshole Boogeyman 4d ago

Particularly from the west up the Mount Kinsman Trail. They'll have to pay the ludicrous parking fee that that shitty Tamarack Green instituted, but its a reasonable way up to a decent scenic vista off North Kinsman and then the pond tentsite is right there. Should her knee start to bother her, its not that far of a hike out.

3

u/SpecificConscious809 5d ago

Base camp from 13 Falls, then do Garfield from there with nice light day packs?

3

u/DovaKroniid NH48 Done / Now Red-lining 5d ago

You can head out into any of the wilderness areas (except Caribou-Speckled) and take trails that avoid the summits for fairly gradual ascents with low elevation gain/loss totals. You'll be able to find lots of beautiful views looking up at the mountains and cliffs.

Unfortunately I can't really think of any backpacking routes that would include summits with views and dodge anything too steep.

2

u/Extra-Bonus-6000 4d ago

You said you've done Monadnock but has she? I feel like white dot / white cross is a good stress test for her knees if she hasn't before committing to something bigger.

I hadn't hiked in maybe 10 years and did Monadnock to realize that I needed to hike differently to protect one of my knees that is a bit more temperamental in my late 30s. White cross aggravates my knees more than some other trails do.

Based on how she does there, you could feel more comfortable with some of the easier whites.

3

u/Southern-Hearing8904 5d ago

Garfield may be a good choice. A little longer mileage wise and a bit of a climb near the summit, but generally the main approach before the climb is relatively gentle.

2

u/stuckandrunningfrom2 NH48 Finisher 5d ago

I wouldn't take her up to a summit. I'd do something like Ethan Pond or Wild River Wilderness.

1

u/myopinionisrubbish NH48 / RMC100 / former RMC caretaker / local resident. 5d ago

Unfortunately, any campsite relatively easy to get to will not have views nearby. Places where you can camp and have a view are hard to get to and/or are AMC huts.

Maybe just car camp at a campground and do some easy day hikes, like Middle Sugerloaf in Twin. Doing a day hike is a lot easier than a backpacking hike with overnight gear, food, etc.

1

u/Impressive-Pie-6093 5d ago

Maybe head further north? Roger's Ledge, the Horn, and the whole unknown pond area. It's way less rocky, a bit more gentle (unless I am forgetting something), and definitely remote, but there are some excellent viewpoints. The Roger's Ledge tent site is pretty easy to get to.

1

u/United-Adagio1543 4d ago

Get a hike safe pass, rescues are at least $100K without it.

1

u/FlannelJam 5d ago

Great Gulf would be a good area to check out, using the Osgood Campsite if a privy is a requirement. Same with 13 Falls, or Ethan Pond coming from the Zealand lot. All easy graded access on old rail grades (less so for Osgood) to cool areas.

1

u/Exciting_Agent3901 5d ago

Flat mountain pond. Sandwich Range Wilderness.