Speaking of the NH48 vs the ADK46 -
I find that the trails in NH get going quickly, climb more quickly than the ADKs. With some exceptions.
IMHO the NH peaks have much shorter approaches than the ADKs. Exceptions of course. Really nothing comparable in NH to the shortest approaches to Allen Mt, Couchie Redfield, Cliff, Skylight, Hough or Emmons.
Up until the late 90s, some 20 of the ADK46 were trailless with herd paths and canisters. With no trail markers, even those herd paths required some skill to follow and more so in the winter. Now those peaks have maintained but unmarked trails.
The ADK mud is in a class by itself. Black, sticky and when the trails are wet, horrendous in spots. Even during wet periods, the NH soil seems more 'sandy' and not the kind you'd use to paint your face with before a battle.
During the Spring and humid weather, the ADK bug season seems to last longer, and the combo of blackflies during the morning and afternoon, deer flies until dark, and then mosquitos in the evening are worse over in the ADKs. Not to say that NH's bugs are mild but having experienced them both, a humid, damp ADK Summer is like Nicaragua at times.
Many of the trailheads are remote. Loooong drive to the Sewards trailhead. Getting to the Upper Works is a journey in itself and there is a real sense of wilderness on the Tahawus Rd. Access at the Garden is not hard, but the parking is limited and fills up early on busy weekends. Ditto the ADK Loj.
Parts of the ADK High Peaks allows dogs only on a leash. Sometimes ignored.
No open fires in many areas unless in leanto firepit or approved area.
Bear canisters are really necessary in many popular High Peaks areas. The bears are big, educated, plentiful and know how to attack the food rope to get the hang bag. And are bold in some cases about coming into site after site. A recent development is that some ADK bears have learned how to open a certain brand of bear canister, a real problem that the rangers are studying. The manufacturer has offered refunds in cases. In some areas of the High Peaks it is a formal regulation to have food in a bear canister.
You may not hike in large groups in areas of the High Peaks and this is enforced. Snowshoes are required in the HPs on trails when there is a certain amount of snow on the trails and people get fined for violations.
Backcountry skiiers have been cutting bandit ski trails to slides for decades. While it is illegal, it appears to be ignored by authorities though I suspect the skiiers could be identified if an effort was made.
And unfortunately, there is more illegal view cutting every year.
Just some stuff off the top.
