Bible & Hike Trip June 16-20, 2025
Come adventure! From June 16th - 20th, we are taking a group from Community of Hope backpacking in New Hampshire’s beautiful White Mountains. We take backpacking trips because they're such an awesome way to get away from the daily grind, enjoy God's creation, stretch physical and mental limits, bond with one another (community!), and grow in faith.
This year, Lord willing, we plan to hike one of the most intense and scenic trails - the Presidential Traverse. Covering nearly 20 miles of sometimes grueling, often beautiful terrain, it takes hikers over the Presidential Range, crossing seven 4,000-foot peaks, all named after U.S. presidents: Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower, and Pierce. On this route, you'll enjoy long stretches of above-tree line hiking.
The Presidential Traverse is a challenging hike, with lots of rock scrambling and steep climbs, but you'll be rewarded with an adventure of a lifetime - something you’ll never forget.
Trail Facts:
Total Distance about: 21.9
Duration: 3- days hiking
Elevation Gain: 9,100 feet
Difficulty: Extremely strenuous
Trip Info:
Who can go?
This trip is open to anyone ages 15 years and up. The limit for the group is 10 people, so register below now to secure your spot. You don't need to be an experienced outdoor enthusiast to go, but you do need to be in good physical shape, as this is a difficult but rewarding hike.
When is the trip?
Monday, June 16 - Friday, June 20, 2025.
What is the itinerary?
Monday 6/16:
Meet at 5am (yes 5am!) Leave by 5:30am drive 12ish hr to Top Notch Inn 265 Main Street Gorham NH 03581 (603)466-5496 www.topnotchinn.com
Tuesday 6/17:
Up early breakfast and personal devotions, drive to Appalachia, Randolph, NH 03593 https://maps.app.goo.gl/X2g2M6gaz1QR5hRW7
Start hiking at the western side of Appalachia and quickly veer right onto Airline. It’s a beautiful climb up a long ridge, this part of the route ends at the summit of Mount Madison. From Mount Madison we will travel on the Gulfside Trail. When we reach the Israel Ridge Path it will lead to our first night at The Perch Tent site.
https://randolphmountainclub.org/camps/the-perch/
Wednesday 6/18:
Breakfast and personal devotions, head back up Israel Ridge Trail to Gulfside, to the summit of Mount Jefferson. Next we head to Mount Washington on the Gulfside Trail. From the summit of Mount Washington, take the Crawford Path. Head south from the buildings, the trail will be on the right side of the railroad tracks towards Lake of the Clouds Hut. From the hut, it is about 0.4 miles up to the summit of Mount Monroe. Continue on to Crawford Path to Mount Eisenhower to Nauman Tent site second night.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=82850&actid=34
Thursday 6/19:
Breakfast and personal devotions, hike over one more peak - Mount Jackson, end at the southern terminus of the Crawford Notch, near the AMC Highland Center.
https://www.outdoors.org/destinations/new-hampshire/highland-center/
Shuttle back to cars and Top Notch Inn.
Friday 6/20:
Up early, breakfast, personal devotions and drive back to Community of Hope
How much does the trip cost?
The cost of this trip is: $355.00
Price includes all transportation costs, camping permit fees, and two-night stay at Top Notch Inn Gorham NH . Checks can be made out to Community of Hope Church or you can pay online.
Not included in this price are lunch and dinner on the way down and back, and the dinner that we'll eat out in Gorham NH on Thursday night (6/19). Make sure to bring a card or some cash to cover those meals!
How does the food work?
Food on this trip breaks down into two parts:
On the way down and Back:
We will eat out for lunch and dinner on our way to Gorham NH on the first day (6/16) at dinner on 6/19, and at lunch and dinner during our drive back on our last day (Friday, 6/20). These meals are not included in trip cost.
WHILE Backpacking You will need to have packed:
3 Breakfasts: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
3 lunches: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
2 Dinners: Tuesday, Wednesday
Snacks for each day
Dinner: We recommend a dehydrated dinner you can order online or at REI or shop at Sierra, 18220 Royalton Road
Strongsville, OH 44136 For some recommendations and links, try this website.
Lunch and Breakfast Ideas:
Chicken, Tuna, and Salmon Packets
dried meats like salami, summer sausage, and various types of jerky
Hard cheeses shelf-stable, like individually packed String cheese, individual cream cheese packets
Pop Tarts, Granola, Energy, and Meal Bars,
Trail Mix, Nuts, and Dried Fruit
Peanut and Almond Butter
Tortillas/bagels are perfect vessel for peanut butter, cheese and meats, and other protein
Dark Chocolate
Instant Coffee and Tea Bags
Small packets of salt, pepper, olive oil, hot sauce, and fast food condiment packets (mayo, mustard, etc.) can really elevate your backcountry grub
Powdered electrolytes, IE Gatorade
How do I register?
Fill out the form below and turn in, mail or pay online $200 deposit to Community of Hope Church. Our address is: 1435 West Royalton Road, Broadview Heights, OH 44147. The remainder of your payment can be turned in on the day of departure. There's no deadline to register, but we do have to cap our group at 10 people, so register as soon as you can to ensure a spot.
Note: If you are thinking about registering but have a question you'd like answered first, feel free to use the form below.
What will I need to bring?
You can find a comprehensive list of suggested items to pack here. Don't worry if you do not currently own some of these items. If you desire to go on this trip, we'll help make sure you have everything you need. We will go over specifics at our pre-departure meeting on Sunday, May 18th after the 10:45 service (aprox 12:15pm) and make sure to answer any questions you might have.