From city streets to mountain peaks, Backpacking the Granite State

Photo credit: Joseph Moffatt

Get ready to lace up your boots and hit the trail with Joseph Moffatt—known in the hiking world as @hikewithjoeyflatlander—who’s making waves across New Hampshire’s rugged outdoors. From city kid to seasoned backpacker, Joe’s journey shows us how passion and perseverance can lead to breakthrough adventures in the Granite State. 

Joe grew up about 20 minutes north of Boston, a typical “city kid” with a backyard camping start.

“My dad did his best to get us outside,” Joe says. “We camped a lot on weekends—even if sometimes it was just the backyard.”  

But it wasn’t until high school that Joe got introduced to serious hiking. His wrestling coach signed him up for a three-day backpacking trip in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.

"I thought, what’s hiking gonna be like? It was a workout, but I loved it.” 

Life pulled Joe in different directions—marriage, kids, work—but after a tough divorce, hiking came back as his lifeline.

“I needed to feel good about something. A friend invited me to hike, and I said, ‘Sign me up.’ I haven’t stopped since.” 

Joe’s current mission? Tackling New Hampshire’s famous 48 peaks—mountains all over 4,000 feet high.

“I started with the easier ones and planned never to repeat,” he says. “But I’ve gone back to some favorites like Franconia Ridge more than once. The views are unbeatable.” 

Photo credit: Joseph Moffatt

When it comes to hiking, Joe is all about smart packing.

“I used to bring way too much stuff and hated the weight. Now, I aim for around 15 pounds for overnight trips. Getting your pack right makes a huge difference—you don’t want it pulling you off balance.” 

And Joe isn’t just a fair-weather hiker—he thrives in the winter months.

“Winter hiking is actually my favorite,” he says. “No bugs, different views, and yeah, you carry more gear. But it’s worth it.”

He describes the winter trails as packed down by snowshoers, turning rocky climbs into icy “luge” runs where microspikes or snowshoes are essential.

“Off-trail, your trekking pole can go down four feet in snow. It’s beautiful, but you have to be careful.” 

Photo credit: Joseph Moffatt

One of Joe’s all-time favorite hikes is the Bondcliff Loop—a challenging 24-mile trek hitting three summits and camping at a mountaintop tent site.

“You carry everything—food, water, tent, sleeping bag—and it’s totally worth it for those views. It’s one of those hikes that makes you feel like a total badass.” 

Joe also recently summited Mount Washington via the Ammonoosuc Trail, stopping at the AMC hut on Mount Monroe for a break.

“The weather changed fast—from shorts to mittens. At one point, the Cog Railway passed by, and hikers and train riders waved at each other. It was pretty cool.” 

Whether it’s tackling steep climbs with 4,000 feet of elevation gain or soaking in fall colors on crowded weekends, Joe embraces it all.

“Sometimes hiking makes your problems feel small, When you see those layers of mountains stretching forever, you realize what really matters.” 

Follow Joe’s adventures at @hikewithjoeyflatlander on Instagram, where his photos and stories bring the Granite State’s wild side right to your feed.