Hiking Trails


History of hiking trails in the White Mountains, New Hampshire. The hiking trails in the White Mountains are known for being rugged and steep, but how they came to be is often overlooked. Trails that were built in the 1800s and early 1900s are still in use today; and the oldest continuously-used mountain trail in America, Crawford Path in the Presidential Range, is located in the White Mountains. With the use of photography, writing, and research, this work focuses on the White Mountains trail system.


Memorial Bridge, Randolph

Memorial Bridge - Randolph, New Hampshire
Memorial Bridge, Randolph - Built in 1923-1924, Memorial Bridge crosses Cold Brook along “The Link” trail in Randolph, New Hampshire. The bridge was dedicated as a memorial to Randolph's early pathmakers (19th-century trail builders) on August 23, 1924. These early pathmakers are responsible for cutting many of the trails in the Northern Presidential Range....[Continue reading] ...

Lincoln Woods Trail, White Mountains

Lincoln Woods Trail, New Hampshire
Lincoln Woods Trail, White Mountains - There isn’t a grand story about how the Lincoln Woods Trail came to be, and the trail isn’t named for any famous person. However, this trail is the direct result of J.E. Henry’s historic East Branch & Lincoln Railroad, and that is what makes it so unique....[Continue reading] ...

Six Husbands Trail, Presidential Range

Great Gulf Wilderness - Mount Washington, New Hampshire
Six Husbands Trail, Presidential Range - When it comes to rugged mountain trails in the New Hampshire White Mountains, the Six Husbands Trail is at the top of the list. This trail dates back to the early 1900s when the legendary AMC Trail-builder Warren W. Hart was cutting trails in the Great Gulf. From 1908-1910, Hart was AMC’s councilor of improvements, and he oversaw the building of 9 trails in the Great Gulf. He thought trails should be all about ...

Random Trail History, White Mountains

Camel Trail - Mount Washington New Hampshire
Random Trail History, White Mountains - Think about these White Mountains history facts for a minute. Crawford Path is the oldest continuously-used mountain trail in America. Trail maker Charles E. Lowe and Dr. William G. Nowell built Lowe’s Path in 1875-1876. Nathaniel Davis, son-in-law of Abel and Hannah Crawford, built Davis Path in 1845. Nathaniel L. Goodrich (1880-1957) is considered to be the founder of peakbagging in the White Mountains...[Continue reading] ...

Trail Construction, White Mountains

Mount Tecumseh Trail - Waterville Valley, New Hampshire
Trail Construction, White Mountains - In 2011, Tropical Storm Irene caused massive destruction along the East coast of the United States. The White Mountain National Forest was officially closed during the storm. Many trails in the White Mountains were damaged. And this series of photos shows how one trail that suffered storm damaged has changed since Tropical Storm Irene....[Continue reading] ...

Trail Blazing, Trail Stewardship

Artists Bluff - White Mountains, New Hampshire USA
Trail Blazing, Trail Stewardship - Painted trail blazing (paint marks on trees that mark the path of a trail) along the White Mountains trail system is an endless complaint among outdoor enthusiasts. Either the trail is excessively blazed or not blazed enough. I don’t mind the trails that have little trail blazing, but I'm not a fan of the excessive trail blazing...[Continue reading] ...

Interesting Finds, White Mountains

Downes - Oliverian Brook Ski Trail - White Mountains, New Hampshire
Interesting Finds, White Mountains - My documentary work of historic sites takes me to many areas of the White Mountain National Forest. And I have to admit I have come across many things that I just can’t explain. And today I want to share a few of these interesting finds with you.....[Continue reading] ...

Mt Tecumseh Trail, New Hampshire

Stone Steps - Mt Tecumseh Trail, New Hampshire
Mt. Tecumseh Trail, New Hampshire - This photography focuses on trail work. Since 2011, there has been an excessive amount of stonework done on the Mt. Tecumseh Trail. Sections of trail where four or five stone steps would have done the job have been transformed into one hundred foot long elaborate, unnatural looking, staircases. Trail stewardship groups preach that low-impact trail work entails building stonework in such a way that it looks natural and blends into nature, and man’s impact ...

Scree Walls, Trail Stewardship

Franconia Ridge Trail - White Mountains, New Hampshire USA
Scree Walls, Trail Stewardship - Today’s blog article focuses on a keyword search term. I chose one search term in this case “scree wall” and searched my image archive to see what imagery I have available that represents this area of trail stewardship. As photographer, these keyword searches help me determine what subject matter I need more coverage of. The below imagery showcases this search term....[Continue reading] ...

Trails of the Pemigewasset Wilderness

Pemigewasset Wilderness, New Hampshire by ScenicNH Photography LLC
Trails of the Pemigewasset Wilderness - At 45,000-acres, the Pemigewasset Wilderness is one of six designated wilderness areas in the White Mountain National Forest. Wilderness areas are governed under the National Wilderness Preservation System and the Wilderness Act of 1964. They are managed much differently than other parts of the National Forest....[Continue reading] ...