There is a whole science to grading this stuff, which is also different throughout the world.

In the US and Canada, "The Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) is a three-part system used for rating the difficulty of walks, hikes, and climbs"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yosemite_Decimal_System

Yes, scree is about the worst, with talus being next and possibly more dangerous. Another fine point distinction: scree vs. talus.

> A hike also has measurable elevation change.<

This is my opinion of the difference. One walks in a park and hikes in the hills or mountains.

wheelchair accessible hiking trails!

now that redefines things as seen on Chronicle WCVB5 tonight
watch on demand at 25:15 mark

http://www.wcvb.com/nowcast

https://crotchedmountain.org/program...ssible-trails/

redefines the discussion.

Nelson--Very true! I am very cautious on talus, and go slow enough to be careful but do not hang out there for photos and such. I appreciate when there is a trail through it, which is not always the case.

The effort one puts into it;) I wear trail shoes both hiking and walking. Never got in the habit of wearing boots, unless I know it involves rocks or creek crossings (also bloody rocks).

Normally I would define it by nature (hiking) or city (walking)...but a well kept trail in a developed national park is much easier on the joints than climbing up and down and up and down the hills and stairs of Edinburgh. So I’m going to go with “when I fear for my life going downhill and regret my life choices going uphill” as my definition for hiking.

Mms- agree the scree on S Sister is a killer. Thought they would have to bury me up there. But I made it! Only did it once though.
And coming down, I had to learn to jump and slide until my legs felt like jello. It was the fastest way down.
Long, hard day- glad I did it.

All depends on the inflection. "Hey, you, take a hike."
"I'm going for a walk, care to join me?"

I've thought about this every time someone refers to climbing to the overlook at Diamond Head as a "hike". To me, it's a walk because I don't have to be looking down/paying attention to every step I take in fear that I may kill myself. So, you can walk in a natural setting, and it's still a walk, not a hike. You can "hike" in an urban setting, but it's still really a walk. To me, real hiking involves a natural setting, rocks, roots, leaves, and other obstacles. Whether you have elevation gain or loss is just a determination of how hard the hike is, not whether it's a hike vs. a walk.

I'm surprised that no one has commented on my links to wheelchair hiking. I thought it was inspiring.

sf, I agree. When we did Diamond Head ages ago, there was a small group of Japanese ladies in skirt suits and low heeled pumps who made the "hike" just fine while carrying parasols.

NewbE, the same group was walking up Diamond Head when I was there!

LOL!

sunbum--Oh I always love to hear when someone else has done that! I have summited the SS a handful of times, and I remember once we missed the trail going back down. Ended up having to cut over to get to the trail, and omg, that was the scariest thing of my life. It was so steep, and I was so afraid I was going to send all those rocks falling. One cautious step at a time. Terrifying! But then once you get down past that area, the sense of accomplishment is so great and you are back on a high:)

Welllll....hiking is always walking, and walking is sometimes hiking. Just depends on where you're walking. ;-)

sunbum and mms I am impressed. Several people have climbed all three Sisters in one day. That would be a hike.
http://www.shredhood.org/backcountry...ers-in-one-day
The first time it was done was in 1931.

Tomfuller—DS has done two of them in one day, but he is a serious mountain climber. I am not in that league! If you can, I highly recommend doing the SS!

I have a friend who did all three in a weekend. He's the one who led me to SSister Summit. Amazing strength and endurance.

It is a hike if I can't wear flip flops.