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

Gene Daniell (Editor), Steven D. Smith (Editor)

Book Description

Series: AMC Hiking Guide Series | Publication Date: May 1, 2003

The bible for hikers since 1907, AMC's White Mountain Guide is the most trusted guide to hiking trails in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Maine. This latest edition features the most up-to-date descriptions available of more than 500 trails in the White Mountain National Forest. In addition, the guide's summary of easy-to-moderate hikes, list of 4000-footers, plus information on Leave No Trace principles make this guide indispensable for every New Hampshire hiker.
More than just trail descriptions, the 27th edition includes:
*6 pull-out full-color maps created using GPS technology
*distances, times, and elevations
*trip planning
*what to carry
*campgrounds, huts, and shelters
*fire regulations
*backcountry hazards
*White Mountain National Forest information
*extensive information on Mt. Washington, New Hampshire's highest peak

Editorial Reviews

Review

If it's not quite gospel, it's darn close. No space is wasted: no photos, and no nonsense. Just reliable and accurate information.  -- National Outdoor Book Award Work of Significance

From the Back Cover

Since 1907, hikers have relied on the AMC White Mountain Guide as the most comprehensive guide available to the hiking trails of the spectacular White Mountains of New Hampshire and Maine. This revised and updated edition is lighter weight, but still includes everything you've come to expect from this popular guide - detailed trail descriptions, topographic maps, tips on safety and trip planning, and the latest trail data. With more than 500 trail descriptions even the most experienced White Mountain hiker will always find a new path to explore. Whether you're heading out for an easy day hike along the Kancamagus Highway or a week of back-country adventure in the Pemi Wilderness, the AMC White Mountain Guide is an essential addition to your pack.

Product Details

• Paperback: 624 pages
• Publisher: Appalachian Mountain Club Books; 27th edition (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929173229
• ISBN-13: 978-1929173228
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,212,248 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bible got Better, July 9, 2003

By 

Ken Margolin (Newton, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: AMC White Mountain Guide, 27th: Hiking Trails in the White Mountain National Forest (Paperback)

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.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deserves 10 Stars...Essential book for Hikers!, September 20, 2004

By 

Tracy Talley "Book Addict" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: AMC White Mountain Guide, 27th: Hiking Trails in the White Mountain National Forest (Paperback)

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~@

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Hiker's Essential, April 14, 2004

By 

Ernest Berube (PAWTUCKET, RI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: AMC White Mountain Guide, 27th: Hiking Trails in the White Mountain National Forest (Paperback)

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.