New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont

[IndianChris]

I've seen so many awesome trip reports with photos from the Whites on this site. The photos are killer! I've never done any real hiking there due to the distance from my house here on Long Island but I gotta start!
My longer trips are usually spent paddling the Adirondacks - which are great trips too, don't get me wrong...but...seeing the trails above treeline, the volcanic rims, the moose, the this, the that...I have to make the move.

So, my first question...what is the best set of maps to use?...and why?

Thanks for all those trip reports!

 

[The Unstrung Harp]

I usually use the maps that come with the AMC guidebook. Welcome to the great north, and please keep us posted with trip reports of where you end up.

 

[Jay H]

I use a maps illustrated waterproof maps of the whites. The AMC white mountain guide is great, but the maps that come with it don't last long. Also if you want smaller maps rather than one big map, Wilderness map systems have smaller maps that may or may not be useful. Obvious pros and cons with a smaller map than with the one big map. Kind of like the catskills, which you are probably familiar with, you have the individual NYNJTC maps and then there is the venture out catskill mapset.

Jay

 

[Guthook]

I've always used AMC's tyvek White Mountains maps, which are the same maps that come with the guidebook except in tyvek (I don't know why more people don't make maps out of this, because it seems nearly indestructible). I've never used the Nat Geo or Wilderness Maps maps for the Whites, but the AMC ones seem pretty much perfect as far as I can tell.

For Vermont, the Green Mountain Club's waterproof Long Trail map is everything you need. I think they'll be coming out with a new edition of the Long Trail Guide sooner or later, so if you want the written guidebook, might be a good idea to wait on that one. The waterproof map is fantastic, though.

For Maine, the MATC's Appalachian Trail Guide to Maine has what I think are the best official maps for the AT, although I'm still using the 2004 edition. The new one came out last year, I think. Mine are the waterproof and pretty durable paper types. I love them. For places not near the AT in Maine, I don't know of any good maps, although AMC has maps of Acadia and Baxter, I think. Also, check out www.mainetrailfinder.com Pretty great site that started up recently. I've used it for one or two good day hikes.

 

[Ed'n Lauky]

This one is my favorite: http://www.amazon.com/White-Mountai...0232/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1315232459&sr=8-7

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

This one is my favorite: http://www.amazon.com/White-Mountai...0232/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1315232459&sr=8-7

I would much rather buy it from here.

 

[Guthook]

This one is my favorite: http://www.amazon.com/White-Mountai...0232/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1315232459&sr=8-7

I haven't seen the inside of that one yet, but I probably should check it out. That company's map of the Camden Hills State Park in Maine is pretty fantastic. How would you say it compares to the AMC maps for the Whites?

 

[--M.]

I would much rather buy it from here.

I second this, and buy the new one every year or two: I just keep handing out the old ones. They're easy to read, have the treeline in yellow, mileages right on the routes, and cover most of what you need in the area.

[edit: By the way, if Amazon were better for this, I'd go that way, but they're not: The Wanderer will remember you after a transaction or two, will reliably get your order out to wherever, and will provide good info for whatever hike you're pondering. Amazon never knows how high the water is in the East Branch.]

They also have good sets by the local clubs for places like Waterville Valley and the RMC territory.

For north of Route 2, I use the National Geographic map, as I do for New York (five in all!).

I still like the Map Adventures one best.

 

[Ed'n Lauky]

Steve at The Mountain Wanderer is one of us. So that is a good recommendation.

 

[Forester Jake]

USGS Topographic maps for targeted exploration zones

 

[TEO]

I use the free state road maps that you get at rest areas.


Actually, I'll use the maps that come with the guidebook (or, in the case of the AMC, their Tyvek versions), or for bushwhacks, print USGS topos off of the computer.

 

[NewHampshire]

Grab yourself the current version of the 4 map waterproof tyvex maps out out the AMC for the WMNF. They listened to people and brought the current ones out in a better scale, and now also have milage for trails and/or sections. I have even used mine for impromptu bushwhacking when I occasionaly forget to print out a USGS quad from the NG Topo! program. With 4 maps you get complete and total coverage of the White Mountain National Forest and even into part of Nash Stream Forest. I think you will be pleased.

Brian

 

[mtruman]

Personally I like the Map Adventures map (which several others noted) because it covers everything on one map and is reasonably indestructible. That's the one that stays in my pack all the time. That said I also have the maps from the WMG (two sets in fact) and would certainly say that anyone who's going to spend any time in the Whites needs to have the WMG and therefore will have at least a set of the paper maps. The Tyvek version is certainly better for the trail.

I know that there is mixed opinion here about this but I'm also a big fan of the White Mountain Guide Online version. It's $12/yr for AMC members and I think it's well worth it. Great for trip planning since you can lay out the route, get a custom route guide with all the trail section descriptions from the WMG and export the route to a GPX or view it in Google Earth. You can find it here: http://www.wmgonline.org/

 

[coldfeet]

I have some maps here, coe on over...by the way I cracked open the chocolate illusiuon by by summer 2011

 

[Chip]

I have some maps here, come on over...

Yeah, your best "map" is to just head north with someone who's been there before. I spent a lot of time looking at maps before my first Whites hike and came up with the brilliant insight that Ammo Ravine and Jewell Trail would be a good loop to get Monroe, Washington and Clay .

...by the way I cracked open the chocolate illusiuon...

Whaaa ?

 

[IndianChris]

I have some maps here, coe on over...by the way I cracked open the chocolate illusiuon by by summer 2011

LOL...definitely will!

Chip - it's a beer...chocolate indulgence I think actually, right Dave? By Ommegang...mmmmm. Although after drinking it, illusions abound!

Great suggestion guys! Thanks a lot.

I have the NG topo program which I always bring a copy of but as we all know those maps can be a little out of date when it comes to trails, trail heads, roads and parking areas.

As a new comer to the whites my main concern are just those things...the back roads and trail heads that are current and up to date. I'm going to pick up some of those suggestions and plan a trip for the spring. Fall is booked up already and then I'll probably have no money in winter.

I'll get there. Thanks!

 

[RoySwkr]

Personally I like the Map Adventures map (which several others noted) because it covers everything on one map and is reasonably indestructible.

I don't like it because it has a reputation for errors. In a previous note somebody asked me to name some so last time I was in a bookstore I looked at the Isolation area which was on top.
* It shows a trail to Mt Davis when the trail actually stops at the S viewpoint and it's a half-hour bushwhack to the summit
* It shows the Isolation Trail from the E going to the col instead of the relocation uphill to the N

So if every 4k area is similar, that's nearly 100 errors just near 4k peaks

 

[Ed'n Lauky]

I don't like it because it has a reputation for errors. In a previous note somebody asked me to name some so last time I was in a bookstore I looked at the Isolation area which was on top.
* It shows a trail to Mt Davis when the trail actually stops at the S viewpoint and it's a half-hour bushwhack to the summit
* It shows the Isolation Trail from the E going to the col instead of the relocation uphill to the N

So if every 4k area is similar, that's nearly 100 errors just near 4k peaks

My Map Adventures map happened to be on my desk when I saw this post so I looked it up. Error, it does not show the trail going all the way to the summit of Mt. Davis. On the other hand my White Mountain Guide map does. I must admit I'm not sure how or when the relocation you mentioned took place but the map shows the trail hitting the Davis Path .9 miles from Isolation and .3 miles from the west branch of Isolation which is exactly what the White Mountain Guide indicates.

The French have an interesting expression which when translated into English says: With enough "ifs" you could put Paris in a bottle. Paris is not in a bottle and despite your implication the map does not have errors on every 4K peak.

 

[--M.]

I don't like it because it has a reputation for errors. In a previous note somebody asked me to name some so last time I was in a bookstore I looked at the Isolation area which was on top.
* It shows a trail to Mt Davis when the trail actually stops at the S viewpoint and it's a half-hour bushwhack to the summit
* It shows the Isolation Trail from the E going to the col instead of the relocation uphill to the N

So if every 4k area is similar, that's nearly 100 errors just near 4k peaks

Sorry, not with you on this one, in any way: I don't accept the assertions about the implied scope of errors (finding one doesn't imply many); it seems to get updated regularly, which hopefully means opportunities for corrections; and it's still so much more legible than the AMC (or even Nat Geo) maps, that I'll risk the possibility of an error (I admit this seems like not practicing safe map-reading).

That said, I'm glad if the feedback leads to error correction and a better map in the next edition, so thanks, Roy!

Some products are so good, I enjoy being a booster; I think this is a good map.

Want a bad one for comparison? Wasn't there a map included in the old Barbara McMartin Adirondack guides, all in black-&-white, with codes for the trails? Now that was a painful map.

Take the Map Adventures one to the top of Carrigain's fire tower (or Eisenhower, or Lafayette, or...) and hold it out against the horizon. It just works way better.

I too keep one on my desk.

 

[RoySwkr]

My Map Adventures map happened to be on my desk when I saw this post so I looked it up. Error, it does not show the trail going all the way to the summit of Mt. Davis. On the other hand my White Mountain Guide map does.

I admit that I didn't look at the date on the MA map so possibly it was an old edition and they have fixed this error. You apparently have an old AMC map, as the 2007 edition no longer shows the spur trail going to the summit of Mt Davis.

I must admit I'm not sure how or when the relocation you mentioned took place but the map shows the trail hitting the Davis Path .9 miles from Isolation and .3 miles from the west branch of Isolation which is exactly what the White Mountain Guide indicates.

The Isolation Trail from both directions used to meet in the muddy col, but over 10 years ago both branches were moved N (perhaps foolishly since most of the traffic from the E at least is headed S). The 1983 AMC WMG says the new W branch of the Isolation Trail is .5 miles from the old shelter site where the E branch then still was which would mean the E branch was later moved up about .2 miles although I would say it was on the short side of that. The AMC map shows the E branch ending a contour up while the MA map I looked at did not. I'm sure you will agree if you've been there that there is a notable drop back to the col from the junction.

Someone headed N on the Davis Path using the MA map might expect to find the Isolation Trail at the col and be confused when it wasn't there - perhaps trying to follow the old trail or a streambed. Of course someone who doesn't understand contour lines might think that the MA map is just fine.

it seems to get updated regularly, which hopefully means opportunities for corrections;

A definite problem with AMC maps is the time between editions, so changes and errors take a long time to fix.

I used to like the DeLorme WMNF map which was updated annually and had most of the WMNF on one map, but trail descriptions were on the back so to be most useful you needed 2 copies