AMC White Mountain Guide, 27th: Hiking Trails in the White Mountain National Forest

Rating:
Summary: The Bible got Better
Review: Anyone who has been hiking the White Mountains of New England since the 1970s, is likely to have kept their orange hardcover AMC "White Mounain Guide," like a family heirloom. Since its inception, the Guide has provided detailed, largely editorial-free, descriptions of all the many trails of the white mountains. For novice hikers, it is absoulutely indispensable for its advice on practical hiking pleasures and perils - it should not leave the pack. For experienced hikers, the Guide provides all information needed to plan White Mountain excursions ranging from half-day beginner hikes to multi-day backpacks. The trail descriptions should be viewed as overviews, not all-telling. At times, a trail seemingly modest from the book description, will be rocky and arduously steep. Other times, an innocuous-sounding trial will provide breathtaking views. Some curse this as a short-coming, while others, this reviewer included, appreciate the fact that reading the book does not diminish the surprises of the trail. The directions to the trailheads are remarkably accurate, as are the essential descriptions of major trail junctions, as well as trails and peaks on which extra care should be taken. The maps, while not minute topographical maps, are extremely useful, more so with compass skills, but quite practical even without them. The organization is improved over the 26th version - especially the recommended easy and moderate hikes at the end of each mountain region's trail descriptions. Worthwhile to complete one's White Mountain hiking library, are the AMC Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide and AMC Maine Mountain Guide.

Rating:
Summary: The Bible got Better
Review: Anyone who has been hiking the White Mountains of New England since the 1970s, is likely to have kept their orange hardcover AMC "White Mounain Guide," like a family heirloom. Since its inception, the Guide has provided detailed, largely editorial-free, descriptions of all the many trails of the white mountains. For novice hikers, it is absoulutely indispensable for its advice on practical hiking pleasures and perils - it should not leave the pack. For experienced hikers, the Guide provides all information needed to plan White Mountain excursions ranging from half-day beginner hikes to multi-day backpacks. The trail descriptions should be viewed as overviews, not all-telling. At times, a trail seemingly modest from the book description, will be rocky and arduously steep. Other times, an innocuous-sounding trial will provide breathtaking views. Some curse this as a short-coming, while others, this reviewer included, appreciate the fact that reading the book does not diminish the surprises of the trail. The directions to the trailheads are remarkably accurate, as are the essential descriptions of major trail junctions, as well as trails and peaks on which extra care should be taken. The maps, while not minute topographical maps, are extremely useful, more so with compass skills, but quite practical even without them. The organization is improved over the 26th version - especially the recommended easy and moderate hikes at the end of each mountain region's trail descriptions. Worthwhile to complete one's White Mountain hiking library, are the AMC Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide and AMC Maine Mountain Guide.

Rating:
Summary: A Hiker's Essential
Review: If you are going to hike in the White Mountains and only have room for one book, then this is it--hands down! It is no surprise how good this guide is when you look at the two editors.

Firstly, Gene Daniell, who, among many other things, has climbed all 48 four-thousand footers in the state of New Hampshire in EVERY month of the year. On top of this, Gene has donated many years of his time as Secretary of the Four Thousand Footer Committee. This club offers guidance and direction for the thousands of avid hikers who yearly strive to climb NH's high peaks.

And Steve Smith is a devotee of the Whites as well. I once bumped into him, accidentally, while shopping in a hiker's enthusiast store in Lincoln, NH (The Mountain Wanderer). As we conversed, it became clear I discovered a rich hiking resource. When he offered to autograph my copy of the AMC Guide, I then realized who he was and that he owned this store.

The AMC White Mountain Guide, whose first edition released in 1907, clearly has as its objective to provide the most accurate, thorough and up to date account of trails in the Whites. Towards this end, with Steve and Gene's expertise, they have refined and packaged the 27th edition in a manner worthy of the most avid hiker's respect.

Excellent topographical maps accompany the guide, offering extensive coverage of the trails discussed. A discussion of how to prepare safely for hiking the Whites is also present. Elevation gains are provided for the various trails and destinations. Moreover, a high level of forethought, in the form of potential alternate trails and escape routes, is all here for the novice and expert alike.

All this is done, thankfully, while adhering to succinctness, since few hikers want to waste their precious and sacred hiking hours reading flowery digressions. Not surprisingly then, the result is a piece of literature of which the owner quickly and particularly grows fond.

I have wandered through the forests of the Whites for over 40 years. I now hike in all twelve months of the year. Through the years I have invested money in many different items which promised to enhance my experience. I can honestly say, without a doubt, none of the dollars were better spent than the ones which went into the purchase of my first AMC White Mountain Guide.

Rating:
Summary: A Hiker's Essential
Review: If you are going to hike in the White Mountains and only have room for one book, then this is it--hands down! It is no surprise how good this guide is when you look at the two editors.

Firstly, Gene Daniell, who, among many other things, has climbed all 48 four-thousand footers in the state of New Hampshire in EVERY month of the year. On top of this, Gene has donated many years of his time as Secretary of the Four Thousand Footer Committee. This club offers guidance and direction for the thousands of avid hikers who yearly strive to climb NH's high peaks.

And Steve Smith is a devotee of the Whites as well. I once bumped into him, accidentally, while shopping in a hiker's enthusiast store in Lincoln, NH (The Mountain Wanderer). As we conversed, it became clear I discovered a rich hiking resource. When he offered to autograph my copy of the AMC Guide, I then realized who he was and that he owned this store.

The AMC White Mountain Guide, whose first edition released in 1907, clearly has as its objective to provide the most accurate, thorough and up to date account of trails in the Whites. Towards this end, with Steve and Gene's expertise, they have refined and packaged the 27th edition in a manner worthy of the most avid hiker's respect.

Excellent topographical maps accompany the guide, offering extensive coverage of the trails discussed. A discussion of how to prepare safely for hiking the Whites is also present. Elevation gains are provided for the various trails and destinations. Moreover, a high level of forethought, in the form of potential alternate trails and escape routes, is all here for the novice and expert alike.

All this is done, thankfully, while adhering to succinctness, since few hikers want to waste their precious and sacred hiking hours reading flowery digressions. Not surprisingly then, the result is a piece of literature of which the owner quickly and particularly grows fond.

I have wandered through the forests of the Whites for over 40 years. I now hike in all twelve months of the year. Through the years I have invested money in many different items which promised to enhance my experience. I can honestly say, without a doubt, none of the dollars were better spent than the ones which went into the purchase of my first AMC White Mountain Guide.

Rating:
Summary: AMC White Mountain Guide
Review: This is a really nice trail guide. You will find all informations about trails in the White Mountains. Three maps are included. The only negative point is that there is no photos in this book. Photos are very important for me.

Rating:
Summary: Deserves 10 Stars...Essential book for Hikers!
Review: This is by far the 'hiking bible'. Every trail you can think of in this jampacked 500+ page book with 4 maps is here! Little hikes to backpacking hikes for days and days...its all here.
The details are rich and very accurate. The levels of difficulty I found very on the mark.
I used this book to plan my first hike up Mt. Washington via, Tuckerman Ravine and it was invaluable. It was very accurate and when I reached the top, I felt if I hadn't had this book, I never would've tried this scenic and challenging trail. I would've missed out and taken the less interesting Jewell Trail!
We went back and did it again a month later using this book and took the Ammonoosuc Trail and my goodness...was I glad we did. The scenery was breathtaking...
We've done probably about 50 or so trails from this book so far and they were ALL very detailed and informative, with info on difficulty which I like very much.
The book gives alternate trails to the same places and where the AMC huts are and shelter. Mileages and information on dangerous spots. Even whether to try it in slippery conditions.
Don't hike without it!

Tracy Talley~@

Rating:
Summary: Don't Leave Home Without It!
Review: Whether you're planning a backpacking trip through the Presidentials or a series of family oriented dayhikes, this book is a neccessity. I just returned from a week long camping trip in the White Mountains and this book never left my side. It includes 100's of detailed trail descriptions as well as suggested hikes for different abilities and the maps for each region. In addition, the introduction includes some very useful information about the park.

One problem I had with this book is that the difficulty of the trails is sometimes understated. This is not really the books fault as difficulty ratings are very subjective. I would highly recommend looking at the maps in conjunction with the trail descriptions to understand the elevation changes. I'm from Maryland and did not fully understand what a 4000 ft. elevation change in 4 miles meant until I got up there (it's not fun and could be dangerous to someone not in good shape). I cannot stress enough that if this book says something is difficult or dangerous, it most certainly is. It might be prudent to talk to a ranger about a certain trail if you are unsure BEFORE you attempt it.

One other fault with the book is that it does not tell you which parking areas require a pass. The best advice for this is to just spend the 5 dollars on the week long pass to avoid the 100 dollar fine.

Rating:
Summary: Don't Leave Home Without It!
Review: Whether you're planning a backpacking trip through the Presidentials or a series of family oriented dayhikes, this book is a neccessity. I just returned from a week long camping trip in the White Mountains and this book never left my side. It includes 100's of detailed trail descriptions as well as suggested hikes for different abilities and the maps for each region. In addition, the introduction includes some very useful information about the park.

One problem I had with this book is that the difficulty of the trails is sometimes understated. This is not really the books fault as difficulty ratings are very subjective. I would highly recommend looking at the maps in conjunction with the trail descriptions to understand the elevation changes. I'm from Maryland and did not fully understand what a 4000 ft. elevation change in 4 miles meant until I got up there (it's not fun and could be dangerous to someone not in good shape). I cannot stress enough that if this book says something is difficult or dangerous, it most certainly is. It might be prudent to talk to a ranger about a certain trail if you are unsure BEFORE you attempt it.

One other fault with the book is that it does not tell you which parking areas require a pass. The best advice for this is to just spend the 5 dollars on the week long pass to avoid the 100 dollar fine.