Looking for a mini New England thru-hike? This post includes everything you need to know to hike the Monadnock-Sunappe Greenway! What is the Mondanock-Sunapee Greenway? The Monadnock-Sunappe Greenway, also known as The MSG or simply The Greenway, is a 48 mile trail in southern New …
Hey, Hikers! Have you heard of Hikewize yet? The Hikewize box is a new subscription box catering specifically to hikers. I’ve been a bit leery of subscription boxes in the past but, when I saw photos of recent Hikewize boxes, I knew that this was …
A hot cup of tomato soup is the perfect meal for cold weather backpacking or even rainy summer days on trail. This simple home-dehydrated version is packed with vegetables plus pasta for some extra carbs and calories. I enjoy freezer bag cooking on trail and …
Winter hiking is beautiful but shorter days, cold temperatures, wet weather, and a case of the sniffles can make it harder to get on trail. Add in family responsibilities and that pesky nine-to-five job and even the most devoted hikers may be feeling less than …
Last summer, after a week in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, we found ourselves trying to decide how to spend the last 24 hours of our trip. We were looking for a short, rewarding hike to cap off our vacation. Wanting an overnight option …
The Cnoc Vecto is a collapsible bladder-style container that comes in two-liter and three-liter sizes. One end is threaded to screw onto popular filters such as the Sawyer. The other end is a wide opening for filling that zips closed with a slider. My two liter 2018 Vecto weighs in at 2.72 ounces on my home scale.
As the weather grows cooler, many hikers across the northeast will find themselves sharing the woods with local hunters. During this time of year, many hikers choose to stick to areas such as national parks and conservation land where hunting is illegal. If you do opt to venture into hunting territory, however, it is important to know how to keep yourself safe on trail.
The Tully Trail is a 22 mile loop in north-central Massachusetts maintained by The Trustees of Reservations. The trail is a unique opportunity for a multi-day loop hike in southern New England that explores lake shoreline, waterfalls, ridgelines, scenic vistas, and the summit of Tully Mountain.
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge is located in Middletown, Rhode Island on beautiful Aquidneck Island. The 242 acre refuge is popular with fishermen and bird watchers and also offers a few miles of well-maintained trail for a unique New England hiking experience.
Get rewarded for buying gear! I’ve put together a list of my favorite retailer rewards programs for hikers and backpackers.
About a year ago, I started The Northeast Hiker with no experience blogging, designing a website, or writing professionally. It has been quite the year! I’ve made some blogging mistakes, shared some awesome hikes, and learned something new every day. Below are six of the …
Happy birthday to The Northeast Hiker! In celebration, I’m sharing how to make this awesome coniferous forest hiker cake. This cake would make a great birthday treat for a backpacking buddy or a sweet Valentine’s Day surprise for your favorite hiker. This post may contain …
One of The Northeast Hiker’s most popular posts of 2018 was my Backpacking Gear Wishlist. Now that the year has come to an end, I think it’s time for a gear update! Today, I am revisiting my wishlist to let you know which items I …
Bear Mountain, located in the northwest corner of Connecticut, is the highest peak in the state. (This is not to be confused with the highest point in the state. Connecticut’s high point is somewhere on the side of Mount Frissell, whose summit is in Massachusetts.) …
Looking for a list minute gift for your favorite hiker? These budget-friendly stocking stuffers are sure to please! This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make purchases The Northeast Hiker receives a small commission (at no extra cost to you) …
If you have a backpacker on your holiday shopping list, this post is for you. Chances are your hiker already has a closet full of gear that they have carefully researched and selected. A new tent, stove, or sleeping bag is an extremely personal choice …
Five little things for hikers to remember during this season of thanksgiving. 1. Bear Boxes That simple metal box elicits a sigh of relief from many weary hikers at the end of a long day. It is relief that they do not need to worry …
One piece of gear that I knew I wanted to upgrade for the 2018 backpacking season was my camp shoes. Previously, I was wearing the Teva Sanborn sandals. There were many things I liked about the Teva’s but the fit just wasn’t right for my …
Riga Shelter is a Connecticut Appalachian Trail shelter with nearby tent sites. All information in this post is accurate, to the best of my knowledge, as of an October 2018 visit. If you have any updated information about this shelter please comment below. Location of …
AMC’s Mountain Skills Manual: The Essential Hiking and Backpacking Guide was part of my 2018 Summer Reading List. This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make purchases The Northeast Hiker receives a small commission (at no extra cost to …
Sandy Neck Beach Park Sandy Neck is a barrier beach located in the town of Barnstable on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. The park, managed by the town of Barnstable, offers a variety of recreational opportunities including hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, and horseback riding. This post …
Today I am sharing what is in my car camping kitchen box. This box stays packed all the time with basic kitchen items and is a lifesaver on spontaneous weekend trips. When I return home, I do any necessary cleaning or replenishing before returning the …
Labor Day weekend is approaching and we all know what that means….REI coupons! If you are an REI Co-op member, you may have already found a flyer in your mailbox with a coupon for an extra 20% off one REI Outlet item. I’ve done the …
Today’s post is all about what’s in my daypack! Many hikers I see on trail are carrying only a water bottle or, sometimes, nothing at all. Best practice, however, dictates that we should be carrying gear to meet ten essential needs. This applies every time …
I know I am not the only hiker who needs my morning cup of coffee! The caffeine boost is great for pushing over a tough summit but the morale boost brought on by enjoying an everyday ritual beneath a not-so-everyday mountain sunrise or cozying up to …
I am a backpacker on a pretty tight budget and have always been a bargain hunter. Therefore, when I was shopping for a pack cover a few years ago, I was less than pleased to find that a rain cover for a multi-day pack ran …
On a recent trip to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, we discovered Hancock Campground, a drive-in camping area operated by the United States Forest Service. The campground’s close proximity to Lincoln Woods (one of the most popular trailheads in the whites) makes it a …
The Richardson-Zlogar Cabin is a backcountry camping area on Stratton Mountain in Northfield, Massachusetts. The cabin, built in 2012 by the Berkshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club, offers a unique Southern New England backpacking experience with exceptional views of peaks in Massachusetts and New …
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make purchases The Northeast Hiker receives a small commission (at no extra cost to you) to help keep this site running! Mileage: about 15 miles round trip Trip Type: out and back Location …
My 2018 summer reading list…. because I enjoy cracking open a good book on the beach just as much as I love climbing mountains. Reading Weather: The Field Guide To Forecasting The Weather By Jim Woodmencey Since I was a child, I have …
As a backpacker on a budget I have become quite familiar with the REI Garage Sale over the years. Just this past weekend I received a significant discount on a new sleeping pad at my local sale. In celebration, I am sharing my tips, tricks, …
Father’s Day is approaching quickly! We have gathered a list of some of our favorite Father’s Day gift ideas for any hiker dad whether he is an occasional day hiker or planning a long distance trek. This post may contain affiliate links. If …
Popular outdoor retailer, REI, prides itself on being a consumer co-op. Is an REI membership right for you? Here are six reasons you may want to consider becoming a member. 1. Lifetime membership The Co-op membership costs a one-time fee $20 but it …
In my post about freezer bag cooking I showed you the homemade cozy that I use to insulate my backpacking meals. Today, I am excited to show you how you can make your own for only a few dollars and a few minutes time. Commercially …
The 2018 REI anniversary sale is here and going on until May 28th. If you are an REI co-op member you should have already received your flyer and 20% off coupons. Each member receives 20% off one regular price item and 20% one online …
Backpacking gear at Walmart? I know some of you gearheads out there are thinking I’m crazy right now but hear me out. Walmart is definitely not my favorite place to shop. I personally find the sprawling retailer to be a bit overwhelming and would much …
In celebration of Cinco De Mayo this past weekend, we took a beautiful walk on the Vin Gormley Trail. The Vin Gormley Trail is an eight mile loop around Watchaug Pond in Rhode Island’s Burlingame State Park. The state park also offers camping, fishing, and …
It is the first week in May and thru hike season is in full swing! Advancing technology is making photography, videography, and internet access more accessible to hikers on trail. With that increasing accessibility we also see a steady rise in the number of hikers …
Today’s post is an introduction to freezer bag cooking for new hikers or seasoned pros who have never tried the freezer bag method. Dehydrated backpacking meals like Mountain House and Backpacker’s Pantry are popular because of their convenience but they can be pricey. Freezer bag …
A good night’s sleep is essential to enjoying your time on the trail but shopping for a backpacking sleeping pad can be a daunting task. Much like choosing a mattress for your bed at home, it can be difficult to know which option is best …
Spring is my favorite time to reassess my backpacking gear setup. There is always something new I’d like to try or some small detail that could be tweaked to reduce weight or increase comfort. As the weather gets warmer and the days longer, I often …
For the final installment of The Northeast Hiker’s spring 2018 gear feature I would like to share two packs that you may want to consider if you are looking to upgrade this season. Be sure to also check out our 2018 sleeping bag and shelter …
Welcome back to The Northeast Hiker’s spring 2018 gear feature. This week’s topic is shelter. Click here if you missed last week’s post about 2018 sleeping bags. This article will highlight three new for 2018 backpacking tents that recently caught our eye. We chose …
Happy vernal equinox hikers! As spring slowly creeps into the northeast many are feeling a strong pull to get out on the trail. Spring is also a popular time to upgrade gear and many manufacturers are releasing new products. In honor of the changing season, …
When hiking or backpacking, potable water is necessary for hydration and also often needed for cooking and personal hygiene. Hikers can carry all of their water with them from the trailhead or obtain water from backcountry sources. Packing out your water may work on short …
Mileage: about 4 miles Type: loop Location of Trailhead: Arethusa Falls Road, Hart’s Location, NH – Trailhead parking is just off of U.S. 302 about a half mile south of Dry River Campground in Crawford Notch State Park. Approximate Duration: 2-3 hours (make sure to …
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make purchases The Northeast Hiker recieves a small comision (at no extra cost to you) to help keep this site running! This season, I plan on adding a pillow to my backpacking gear …
I am very picky about how I store my water both on and off trail. I have spent a lot of time and energy weighing the pros and cons of different water bottles and storage containers. Plastic, glass, or stainless steel? Flip top or screw …
Mileage: 1 mile round trip Type: out and back Location of Trailhead: Wiley House Station Road, Hart’s Location, NH Approximate Duration: ½ hour Highlights: Ripley Falls Suggested Maps: A free map of hiking trails in Crawford Notch State Park at various locations throughout the park, …
This post contains affiliate links. If you click these links and make purchases The Northeast Hiker receives a small commission (at no extra cost to you) to help keep this site running! Mileage: 6.5 miles Type: lollipop Location of Trailhead: Bretton Woods, NH – …
I know that I don’t have to tell any hiker that outdoor gear is expensive! If you are willing to put in a little extra time and effort, however, it is possible to get the gear you want without blowing your budget. I have always …
1. Trail Snacks Everything just seems to taste better out in nature. Plus, there’s nothing like climbing mountains to work up an appetite and quell any concerns you may have had about the 250 calories in that Snickers bar. 2. A Great Night’s Sleep The …