The official guide to the almost 311 miles of the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire and Vermont--some of the highest, most rugged, and most scenic of the entire 2,186-mile route across the eastern mountains. Covers the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the Green Mountains of Vermont, the valley in between, and the first sections into the neighboring states of Maine and Massachusetts<br><br><br><br> Detailed mileage descriptions on one page face off against background on history and natural landmarks on the other, with schematic elevation profiles and maps for each section. The book comes packaged in a sturdy shelf-ready box with eight essential maps (on four sheets of waterproof, tear-proof plastic "paper") showing the route and nearby communities and roads at a scale of an inch to a mile. Detailed elevation profiles show you at a glance what lies ahead.<br><br><br><br> Both the guidebook and maps are composed by veteran hikers of the area, backed up by the local clubs of volunteers and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy staff who are charged with managing the storied footpath for the public.