About Us

The Mountain Wanderer was opened in August 1998 by Steve Smith of Lincoln, NH. In the Fall of 2025, Forrest Chess and Caroline Eaton took over ownership and operation (as well as an expansion) as Steve was ready to enjoy retirement. We are a “niche” book/map retailer specializing in New England outdoors and especially in White Mountain hiking. Our most popular items are hiking guidebooks and trail maps. We carry these not only for NH but also for Vermont, Maine, southern New England and eastern NY (Adirondack and Catskill Mountains).

We also have sections (again, both for NH and the other New England states and eastern NY) on bicycling, paddling, fishing (small section), rock climbing, nature and field guides, birding, general travel, winter sports, and White Mountains history (probably our second most popular category after hiking). We carry a great variety of trail maps – more than just about any other retailer in the region. We are a dealer for US Geological Survey topographic maps, carrying all NH quads from the Lakes Region north to the Canadian border, and we also sell many raised relief maps (the “bumpy maps”).

The new expansion now also features a wide array of unique gifts and decor, most of them handmade, and from all around New Hampshire, New England and beyond. Many of the items found within are nature-themed, while others are not, and we know the makers of 90% of what’s in the shop; from trail sign replicas, to up-cycled clothing, new and vintage jewelry and much more. You won’t find much of what’s inside almost anywhere else.

Steve has been a hiking enthusiast for more than 40 years and is the author of several White Mountain guidebooks as well as serving as co-editor of the AMC White Mountain Guide. In 2001 Steve and his good friend Mike Dickerman  co-authored a guide to the White Mountain 4000-footers. And in his retirement, Steve loves exploring the mountains in all seasons both on and off the trail; many of these treks appear on the “Mountain Wandering” blog.

Caroline and Forrest both have lifelong histories hiking, camping and pursuing other outdoor activities like swimming, paddling and ice skating. After years of visiting the White Mountains in all four seasons from out-of-state, they were thrilled to get the chance to relocate to Lincoln and take over this business. While not experts like Steve, they too always enjoy talking hiking with store customers, and can provide suggestions for trips suitable for any ambition level.

We look forward to sharing our enthusiasm for the White Mountains and the Northeast outdoors with you!