A frequently asked question is: Which 4,000 footers
have the best (or worst) views? Rather than rank them, I have used
the following (admittedly arbitrary) classification:
Excellent Views. I use this for those summits where, in
addition to 360° views, you get to hike above treeline for some
time before reaching the summit. I very much enjoy feeling that I
am really above the trees, and do not get that feeling when
I just pop out of the trees and reach the summit.
360° Views. These summits are treeless, but not
fully above the level of the trees. Here I include not only summits
like Mount Moriah, where only the very top is treeless, but also
those like Mount Liberty where you hike for some time on a bare
ridge, but with trees right below you.
Good Views. Mountains with good views (from the summit
or on the trail) that are not 360°.
Poor Views. Everything else. Most do have a viewpoint
from which there are some views, but they are poorer than those
from summits in the other categories. I am aware that the
distinction between this category and the previous one is in many
cases arbitrary.
Views from the New Hampshire Summits
Excellent
360 degrees
Good
Poor
Adams
Bond (from north)
Carter Dome
Cabot
Bond (from south)
Carrigain
Hale
East Osceola
Bondcliff
Clinton
North Kinsman
Field
Eisenhower
Flume
Osceola
Galehead
Jefferson
Garfield
Tom
Middle Carter
Lafayette
Isolation
Whiteface
Middle Tripyramid
Lincoln
Jackson
Wildcat A
North Hancock
Madison
Liberty
Willey
North Tripyramid
Monroe
Moriah
Zealand (from Zeacliff)
Owl's Head
Moosilauke
North Twin
Passaconaway
Washington
South Kinsman
South Carter
South Twin
South Hancock
West Bond
Tecumseh
Wildcat D
Waumbek
I am less familiar with the Maine and Vermont summits, having
visited them only once or twice, so the following is presented with
much less confidence: