Day 137 on the Appalachian Trail reads like a warning label for what's ahead. A hiker logging miles through New Hampshire describes being rudely woken by pine cones dropping from overhead trees — nature's way of saying it's time to move — before tackling some of the most technical terrain of the whole hike so far.

The stars of this stretch are Smarts Mountain and Mount Cube, the last two significant peaks before the trail enters the White Mountains. Both are granite-heavy, steep and rocky, and the hiker compares the footing to the infamous rock slabs of New York's section of the AT. If the Whites have a reputation for punishing, hand-on-rock climbs, these two mountains are the trailer for the main feature.

It's not all pain. The summit of Smarts comes with a fire tower, and lunch with a view from the top turns out to be the day's reward — the kind of payoff that keeps long-distance hikers moving north. The hiker's own framing says it plainly: these mountains are an "appetizer for the Whites," a warm-up that hints at bigger, harder climbing to come.

For anyone walking the AT through New Hampshire, the practical takeaway is real. The Whites are widely considered among the toughest miles of the entire 2,190-mile trail, and arriving with legs trained on Smarts and Cube makes a genuine difference. Expect slower average speeds than the rolling terrain of Virginia or Pennsylvania, pack poles, and don't be surprised when a four-mile stretch takes most of a morning. The fire tower bonus is worth the push, though — clear-day views from the tower stretch across New Hampshire's lakes region and into Vermont.

Even if you're not thru-hiking, this corner of New Hampshire makes a solid day-hike base. Smarts Mountain's tower and Cube's open ledges are accessible as out-and-back trips from local trailheads near Orford and Lyme, and the area sits close to Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee country, with its small towns, general stores and swimming holes. It's a good way to taste White Mountains-style hiking without committing to a full thru-hike or a Presidential Range weather gamble.

Who is this for? Thru-hikers plotting their New Hampshire strategy, section hikers building a Whites warm-up itinerary, and day hikers who want a leg-burner with a view at the top. Just watch for falling pine cones — apparently they mean business.

Story based on reporting from The Trek.