I’m Matt Schwenk, and I run 448wild.
I built this site to create the kind of route library I want when I’m planning a trip: detailed enough to be useful, honest about the weak parts, and clear about what the writer actually did.
Every guide starts with a hike or backpacking route I completed. I write about the terrain, camps, water, navigation, logistics, mistakes, highlights, and what I would do differently. I do not try to make every trip sound spectacular. If a route was muddy, monotonous, confusing, crowded, or underwhelming, I say so. The photos are mine unless a separate credit says otherwise.
Backpacking is the main focus of 448wild. My long-term goal is to visit and document all 448 U.S. Forest Service wilderness areas, while also covering worthwhile day hikes, major routes outside wilderness areas, and occasional international treks. My wilderness checklist links qualifying visits to published trip reports.
I also keep peak checklists for the Adirondacks, New Hampshire and the Catskills.
How I Write the Guides
I try to be clear about what I experienced myself and what came from later research. If I mention an alternate route, campsite, side trail, or bailout I did not use, I try to say so instead of writing about it as if I did.
The trip date near the top of each guide tells you when I was there. When I publish or update a guide, I check the details most likely to change against official sources. I cannot monitor every route continuously, so check the linked sources before your trip for current permits, closures, fees, road access, transportation, fire rules, food-storage requirements, and other changing details.
Maps and GPX Files
Most route maps are built in CalTopo to match the route described in the guide. Unless a page says otherwise, the mileage and elevation figures come from that mapped route. The GPX files are planning references, not a guarantee that the route is open or that current conditions match my trip.
Corrections
I do my best to keep the guides accurate, but mistakes happen and routes change. If you find something wrong or outdated, use the form below. An official source is especially helpful for corrections involving rules, closures, fees, or access.
The form does not ask for your contact information, so I will not be able to reply. Please leave personal information out of your message.