Over the years I have learned that there are many different ways to enjoy the great outdoors. I've also learned that many people view hiking as a very social experience and therefore enjoy hiking in large groups and staying at designated campsites or at one of the AMC Huts. But, that's just not why Louise and I take to the trails. I love the great outdoors for their ability to refresh and restore me. But for that to happen it needs to be a quite time in the forest. Listening to the sounds of the wind in the trees, the birds chirping or that ever elusive sound of nothing at all!! Much of it stems from my past. Thirty five or forty years ago my dad and I would spend 3 or 4 days backpacking in the Pemi Wilderness and I can still remember how upset my father would be if we saw more than a couple of people. "We're going to have to find somewhere else to hike if this keeps up!" Those were the types of things I would hear him say for weeks after such a disappointing time in the woods. So even back then we would bushwhack to avoid the "crowds."

        So, if you're anything like we are then you head to the woods to enjoy the relaxing peace and quite and not to share the trails with hundreds of other hikers. Many times we opt to see less of the grand sights simply to experience the forest in the way that we prefer. If you don't think that there are that many hikers in the White's simply try climbing one of the Presidentials or even Mount Chocorua on a summer weekend. In recent years I've been on summits where I was able to count over a hundred hikers sharing the experience with me. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with that, it's just not "me."

        So here, for the first time in print are some of the techniques we have found extremely helpful in cutting down on the crowds we encounter while out hiking. Some may seem pretty obvious and others perhaps not so obvious. They are simply little "tools" that we have learned are effective in enhancing our hiking experience. If you enjoy seeing lots of other hikers, then not to worry, just keep enjoying the forest the way you like. On the other hand if you are looking for a bit more solicitude when out hiking just give one or two of these suggestions a try and see what happens. Which ever you choose, happy hiking!

• Get An Early Start: This simple tip can make all the difference in the numbers of people you see on the trail. When we go hiking we try to be on the trail and underway no later than 7:00am. This is not only a great way to avoid the crowds but it's also a great way to experience an entirely different "feel" in the forest. There's nothing like it, being out in the woods in the early morning mist, watching the sun brighten everything up and feeling the sun begin to warm the day. That in itself can be a reason for starting early. In summer when the days get a bit too hot to enjoy hiking in you'll avoid most of the heat if you start early enough.

  To make my point, I have seen the summit of Chocorua with at least 150 people on it and barely a place to sit down and enjoy the view. BUT, I have also been on the summit on a Saturday or Sunday morning in the height of the summer hiking season and been all by myself!!! Yes, it takes some effort to get up there that early (I was on the summit by 8:00 or 8:30) but without doing it that way there is no way that you'll ever get the summit of that popular of a peak all to yourself in summer!




• Choose Your Location Wisely: This may sound obvious but it really helps. There are still lots of areas in the White Mountains that do not get the traffic that some place like the Presidential Range does. If you'd like a few suggestions then just drop us an e-mail and we'd be glad to help you out. There are three basic areas that you'll do well to avoid if you're looking for solitude. The are...
  • The Presidential Range
  • The Franconia Range
  • Any "Official" 4000 Footer


• Choose Your Season Wisely: This one has really been changing over the last few years. Twenty five or thirty years ago there were extremely few hikers that were hardy enough to venture out in winter. There were a few cross country skiers, a handful of climbers and a rare hiker, but that was it. With the advent of modern gear and the acceptance of all the new "extreme" sports, that's no longer true but you will still see appreciably fewer people on the trails in December than you will in July! For that and many other reasons I would say it's well worth your while to check out winter hiking. For a bit more info on the subject be sure to check out our Hiking in Winter page.



• Choose Your Trails Wisely: Most of the 4000 foot peaks in the Whites have become extremely popular with both peak baggers and those that simply love to see a great view when they hike. But, even many of these peaks have trails that are seldom used compared to the more popular routes. Again, if you'd like some help drop us an e-mail and tell us where you're heading and we'll see what we can suggest.



• Try Bushwhacking: If you've never been to the mountains to simply head out into the woods you're missing one of the great joys of the forest! If you're not experienced with map and compass you'll need to start really short and simple but go ahead and give it a try you may just love it!



• Try Going Solo: One of my favorite hiking quotes is by Thoreau and it says, "The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready." That's actually the reason that I originally started hiking solo. I grew frustrated with planning, coordinating and carrying out group hikes. I'd had one too many hikes spoiled by last minute changes of others and decided to just try going alone. It's one of the best things I've ever done and it totally changed the way I view hiking! It's definitely not for everyone but if you've been hiking long enough to feel comfortable in the woods with others than perhaps you would enjoy going it alone as much as I do. It's amazing how much more remote a trail can seem. If you go for half an hour or an hour without seeing anyone the trail will feel ten times more remote than it ever would when you were hiking with others. Start small, but give it a try. It may not be for everyone but if it's solitude you want, this is one way to get it!

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