is it just me or are trails in the White Mountains (NH) getting more crowded?

[Driver8]

How does 5 to 10 minutes trying hard not to walk into the person in front of you sound?

And this happened once? 20 times? I'm betting once. Which would stink, though I find it hard to see how you couldn't have gotten past this/these rude slowpoke/s. You gave the impression that a large number, maybe even most, of your fellow hikers in the Whites were badly behaved. I responded b/c I found that very unlikely.

[Bobby]

And this happened once? 20 times? I'm betting once. Which would stink, though I find it hard to see how you couldn't have gotten past this/these rude slowpoke/s. You gave the impression that a large number, maybe even most, of your fellow hikers in the Whites were badly behaved. I responded b/c I found that very unlikely.

"Everyone is there for the same reason - hard to keep in mind sometimes when proper trail Etiquette is not followed by most of the people out there."


you seem to be fixated on the idea of "people behaving badly". I would not use that characterization. I simply said "trail etiquette" - which to me is something that comes with experience or mostly just common sense I guess. I also indicated that I understood we were all "there for the same reason" - commenting that it required patience on occasions.

Perhaps most is an over statement - I'll change that to a lot - more than I have experienced before.

My comment appears to have bothered you some how. why are you so hung up on it?

oh yeah.....
twice and it's a long story

[DavidNH]

Caretaker at Greenleaf Hut told me during any given weekend during the summer he estimates upwards to 800 people hike up the Old Bridle/Lafayette trail.

That's ridiculous! It's crowds like that (800 people hiking to or past Greenleaf hut each summer weekend) that are starting to turn me off from the whites. But where else but Whites can I go within a two hour drive? (I'm in Concord, NH).

[hikerboy57]

Youve got about 50 trails all around you that you can find solitude.there were about 40 people atop katahdin the day i summited,baxter was packed and i was never alone in the 100 mile wilderness except for the half hour I spent waiting for the boat at white horse landing. it's august it's the busy season and the popular trails are crowded. but there's plenty of trails to hike if you want to be alone right in your backyard.

[Deadeye]

There's a bit of irony that we're commenting on the crowds on the trails that we're hiking, no? There's lots of solitude to be found if you decide that panoramic views are not important to you. Take the long way up, or the trail up the backside, and you'll rarely see people except at the summits. Even better, avoid summits, and you'll find you have a lot of trail to yourself.

[Driver8]

There's a bit of irony that we're commenting on the crowds on the trails that we're hiking, no? There's lots of solitude to be found if you decide that panoramic views are not important to you. Take the long way up, or the trail up the backside, and you'll rarely see people except at the summits. Even better, avoid summits, and you'll find you have a lot of trail to yourself.

I like people and enjoy seeing them on the trails. I also love the long views, the smell of spruce and fir below treeline, the strong, clear-running streams, the waterfalls. The Whites work well for me. After a while I'll want to do Maine (already getting that itch) and the Adirondacks (probably next year). But loving the Whites when I can get to them.

[Chaco Taco]

I have noticed the crowds are insane. I also find that when we do hike, the earlier you get out the better. Not just fro parking but for overall enjoyment of the trails. With the shuttles running, it makes it crazier. Parking lots have been just stupid as well.
I also noticed that its obviously busier on weekends. The Pemi, especially the Bondcliff Trail isnt as heavily travelled but once you get to Guyot, its a s*** show. This was one of the reasons we decided to go into Maine, off of the AT, for Labor Day. The trash and disposal of human waste has been of major concern as well. People are just being irresponsible when it comes to trash and waste.

[DavidNH]

There's a bit of irony that we're commenting on the crowds on the trails that we're hiking, no? There's lots of solitude to be found if you decide that panoramic views are not important to you. Take the long way up, or the trail up the backside, and you'll rarely see people except at the summits. Even better, avoid summits, and you'll find you have a lot of trail to yourself.

But panoramic views ARE important to me. The views are why I go to the whites. Heck, if I didn't care about views.. I could just drive 20 minutes to Bear Brook State Park or go outside of Keene, or parts of southern VT or Mass. Views are one of the big reasons TO hike!

[IrishBASTARD]

But panoramic views ARE important to me. The views are why I go to the whites. Heck, if I didn't care about views.. I could just drive 20 minutes to Bear Brook State Park or go outside of Keene, or parts of southern VT or Mass. Views are one of the big reasons TO hike!

PERHAPS the views are why others hike to. ALL too many people consider because its in someone's state its your own personal...playground. WE ALL PAY TAXES to up keep these areas of natural wonder and beauty. NOT a single state pays all its own costs...its impossible and would crush that State. But perhaps suggest we allow everyone who cannot afford such luxuries be damned to Hell...for shame you bothering a Nh resident. The trails are for ALL HIKERS regardless if they are in your way or not.

[Driver8]

The trash and disposal of human waste has been of major concern as well. People are just being irresponsible when it comes to trash and waste.

This is a big frustration for me. Hiking through beautiful terrain and seeing drink containers, candy wrappers, etc., alongside the trail is awful. The adage about one bad apple spoiling a barrel applies here - I'm sure only a small percentage of hikers litters, as only a small percentage tramples tundra flora off trail, but it only takes a few. The thing is, the perps, as to littering, almost never do it when someone is watching. I pick stuff up a lot, but it's impossible for one person to pick it all up and keep in the enjoyment of the hike. ...

[Chaco Taco]

This is a big frustration for me. Hiking through beautiful terrain and seeing drink containers, candy wrappers, etc., alongside the trail is awful. The adage about one bad apple spoiling a barrel applies here - I'm sure only a small percentage of hikers litters, as only a small percentage tramples tundra flora off trail, but it only takes a few. The thing is, the perps, as to littering, almost never do it when someone is watching. I pick stuff up a lot, but it's impossible for one person to pick it all up and keep in the enjoyment of the hike. ...

This was a huge frustration when I spent over an hour trying to wash off human feces off my montrails then cleaning it off of the tent platform when I tracked it across. Its been a dirty summer in The Whites. I will say that I have seen alot more hikers calling out people in parking lots and on trails for flicking cigarette butts and dropping trash and burning trash

[Tom Murphy]

That's ridiculous! It's crowds like that (800 people hiking to or past Greenleaf hut each summer weekend) that are starting to turn me off from the whites. But where else but Whites can I go within a two hour drive? (I'm in Concord, NH).

2 hours ~ 120 miles, so

Sandwich Range
Carter-Moriah Range
Kinsman Range
Kilkenny Range

[Driver8]

This was a huge frustration when I spent over an hour trying to wash off human feces off my montrails then cleaning it off of the tent platform when I tracked it across. Its been a dirty summer in The Whites. I will say that I have seen alot more hikers calling out people in parking lots and on trails for flicking cigarette butts and dropping trash and burning trash

Ack. Disgusting in the extreme. Sorry you had to endure that, Choc.

[Deadeye]

But panoramic views ARE important to me. The views are why I go to the whites. Heck, if I didn't care about views.. I could just drive 20 minutes to Bear Brook State Park or go outside of Keene, or parts of southern VT or Mass. Views are one of the big reasons TO hike!

Well then, young Skywalker, deal with the crowds you must! But do take the road less traveled by, it will make all the difference.

[Chaco Taco]

Ack. Disgusting in the extreme. Sorry you had to endure that, Choc.

The good thing about all of it was that afterward, went down to the pond and listened to the 2 loons in the middle of the pond. Such a beautiful place that seems to take a beating. The shelter needs to go and people just need to learn. Thoreau Falls is a great place to stop. If you are responsible and can just be considerate of the various regs and guidelines, some that arent written, it would remain that way. Wak and I are pretty good about picking up trash but some of the stuff you see when its as busy as it has been and as busy as its about to get with the foliage, baffles me. I definitely am not trying to self righteous about it or anything. The part that always baffles me is seeing the parents setting the examples for their kids when it comes to respecting nature and the outdoors. The busier it gets up here the more it makes me want to just go out into the middle of Maine. I was out memorial weekend and was so glad it rained as much as it did because it stopped the massive flood of people. We drove through the notch 2 weeks ago and the highway was lined with cars. Lincoln and North Woodstock have been pretty busy. That area needs it with warm wintah.

[Chaco Taco]

Well then, young Skywalker, deal with the crowds you must! But do take the road less traveled by, it will make all the difference.

I agree with both of you. There are some sweet spots that are off the beaten path and not overpopulated by the tourons. Just know the traffic on the major ridges. I live about 10 mins from Bear Brook and their are some great trails and a great campground. I really like the forests up here. The way the trails crawl through some of the wildernesses of Maine and Vermont are beautiful, NH also. Im so glad I moved up here. I love friggin New England

[Driver8]

The good thing about all of it was that afterward, went down to the pond and listened to the 2 loons in the middle of the pond. Such a beautiful place that seems to take a beating.

I think we might need a new public relations campaign, one less positive and more focussed on shaming bad behavior. Not "give a hoot, don't pollute." More "losers litter." Scorn and shame have been shown to be very effective in stopping bad behavior of this sort.

[Chaco Taco]

I think we might need a new public relations campaign, one less positive and more focussed on shaming bad behavior. Not "give a hoot, don't pollute." More "losers litter." Scorn and shame have been shown to be very effective in stopping bad behavior of this sort.

Most of the time people are really good. Its the few jerk holes that just dont give a damn. I feel like the AMC does a pretty good job with it. The caretakers are always good about keeping the order and the experienced backpackers in the bunch always step it up. Have only really seen one incident up here where a guy hassled a caretaker when the caretaker called him out on leaving foil packs and fuel canisters in the shelter and trying to hike out without it.

[Tom Murphy]

There are some sweet spots that are off the beaten path and not overpopulated by the tourons. Just know the traffic on the major ridges.

So is it the crowds that bother you OR a few inconsiderate hikers OR both?

I find that having no expectations of solitude while hiking on any of the trails in the WMNF makes my trips more enjoyable.

That way, on those few times when I only see a few people [or none], I feel a special blessing.

[Chaco Taco]

So is it the crowds that bother you OR a few inconsiderate hikers OR both?

I find that having no expectations of solitude while hiking on any of the trails in the WMNF makes my trips more enjoyable.

That way, on those few times when I only see a few people [or none], I feel a special blessing.

I stopped with expectations a long time ago. I typically am the last person to set up camp and the first one out. I think the solitude is there, but on some the lesser travelled trails. The campsites and shelters are where the crowds are and I have managed to meet some cool folks that have told me some of the good private spots to stealth, legally. I dont really mind the crowds. I think its awesome to see so many people getting out on the trails. Especially families. But I have noticed that the crowds are larger this year as opposed to last year. We are going to go up into Maine next weekend and check out the Grafton Loop Trail. Pretty excitted!