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.
New Hampshire Books
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Franconia Notch Book $24.99 -
East Branch & Lincoln Railroad Book $17.99
Camp 9 Spur Line, Franconia Brook Trail
Camp 9 Spur Line, Franconia Brook Trail - When the Franconia Brook Branch of the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad (1893-1948) was in operation, a spur line traveled through this wetlands area along today's Franconia Brook Trail in the Pemigewasset Wilderness; it was not always wetlands. Beavers have been active over the years. The Franconia Brook Branch of the railroad began at trestle No. 7 and ended at logging Camp 13. The Franconia Brook Trail utilizes the railroad bed right-of-way...[Continue ...
Cable Car, Wilderness Trail
Cable Car, Wilderness Trail - During the mid-1900s, the Wilderness Trail in New Hampshire's Pemigewasset Wilderness began on the southern side of trestle No. 17, along the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad, near logging Camp 17. The Cedar Brook Branch of the railroad also began at this location. With the exception of the Cedar Brook Branch operation, which ended in 1946, the railroad track along the Upper East Branch of the railroad, above trestle No. 17, was removed by 1940...[Continue ...
Ice Pond, Black Pond Trail
Ice Pond, Black Pond Trail - Located at the abandoned site of logging Camp 7 of the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad (1893-1948), near the junction of today's Lincoln Brook Trail and Black Pond Trail in Lincoln, New Hampshire, is a pond known as “Ice Pond”. Many hikers pass by this pond on the side of Black Pond Trail without even noticing it; it looks more like a parcel of dead trees than a pond...[Continue reading] ...
Split Rock, Boott Spur Trail
Split Rock, Boott Spur Trail - Pictured here along Boott Spur Trail is Split Rock; this interesting glacial erratic is split in half. The scenic Boott Spur Trail begins off of the busy Tuckerman Ravine Trail and ends at Davis Path. If you are hiking Mount Washington and want extensive alpine zone exposure and breathtaking views, this trail is a great choice. Because most of this route is above treeline, hiking it on a perfect weather day is the best ...
Madison Boulder, New Hampshire
Madison Boulder, New Hampshire - Considered to be one of the largest known glacial erratics in North America, Madison Boulder weighs roughly 4,662 tons. It is 87 feet long, 23 feet wide, and an impressive 37 feet high. It's worth mentioning that the size of the boulder ranges from source to source. If you enjoy the geology of New Hampshire, this boulder is worth a visit. It is massive!..[Continue reading] ...
Shelter Rock, Old Osseo Trail
Shelter Rock, Old Osseo Trail - Shelter rock is a large boulder on the side of the old Osseo Trail in Lincoln, New Hampshire. Cut in the early 1900s, this section of the Osseo Trail began near the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad’s logging Camp 3. It traveled up through the Clear Brook drainage to Osseo Peak (Whaleback Mountain) and then on to Mount Flume. This large boulder is an interesting feature of the trail...[Continue reading] ...
Jewell Trail, White Mountains
Jewell Trail, White Mountains - Established in 1934, the roughly 3.7 mile long Jewell Trail begins at a trailhead on Base Station Road in Chandler's Purchase, New Hampshire. It travels up an unnamed ridge of Mount Clay and eventually ends at the Gulfside Trail; the Gulfside Trail is a segment of the scenic Appalachian Trail. Upon reaching the junction with the Gulfside Trail, most hikers continue on to Mount Washington...[Continue reading] ...
Picking Up Trash, White Mountains
Picking Up Trash, White Mountains - During this covid pandemic, many hikers have been picking up trash along the trail system here in the White Mountains. And there also has been an increase in hiker organized clean-up days, which is awesome. The easiest way for hikers to “give back” is to pick up trash along the trails...[Continue reading] ...
Sanders Bridge, Randolph Path
Sanders Bridge, Randolph Path - Originally built in 1976, the Sanders Bridge crosses Cold Brook along the Randolph Path in Low and Burbank's Grant, New Hampshire. It is a memorial to Miriam Sanders, who was a long-time resident of Randolph and treasurer of the Randolph Mountain Club (RMC) for many years...[Continue reading] ...
Trailside History, White Mountains
Trailside History, White Mountains - The history of the trail system in the New Hampshire White Mountains is amazing; early 19th-century trail builders are true legends of the White Mountains, and they are forever implanted into the history books. Trails built in the 1800s, such as Crawford Path, Davis Path, and Lowe’s Path, are still in use today. And while the building of hiking trails is a great topic, there are also many interesting features along the trails....[Continue reading] ...
ScenicNH Photography LLC
Specializing in environmental conservation and historic preservation photography mainly in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, Erin Paul’s photography and writing focuses on the history of the White Mountains, and telling the story of abandoned places and forgotten historical sites.