For years, my best friend during my New Hampshire youth, Laurie, regaled me with stories of her “glorious” White Mountain hikes and urged me to accompany her, but I always begged off.

An ambitious five-year project is underway to overhaul every foot of the Franconia Ridge trail, preserving and protecting it from the pressures of heavy use and extreme weather.

UPDATE: Wind advisory for White Mountains of Inyo County anticipated to expire at 9 p.m. By CA Weather Bot. Updated March 31, 2025 9:04 PM.