Look for a freshwater spring on the NW side of the pond, a couple hundred feet from some established campsites. New TRAIL DAYS ONLINE! This historically was an emergency shelter area, lots of flat spots, windy, dry camping above tree line. In my experience, people who follow the LNT creed will do so even when spending the night in an AT shelter. We publish 5 new articles every week. Choose from the following to find a site: The White Mountain National Forest offers a variety of camping experiences: from family-friendly developed campgrounds, to popular backcountry sites, to the solitude of a Wilderness setting. Sugarloaf 1 Campground. Hanging a bear bag to prevent bears from becoming used to human food. Madison Hut area - Just to the East is a small lake on side trail descending into Madison Gulf. Take a hike down the Appalachian Trail and youll see many ugly, highly impacted campsites next to streams and along river banks despite regulations to the contrary. Well get an early start so we can climb Willey and Field in the morning, and should arrive near the potential pristine sites by 1-2 pm. I was shocked to see several high-impact stealth sites along the Franconia Ridge Trail last weekend that were literally 10ft-20ft from the trail!! - The remnants of the summit building have been used for years by hikers. Water from Carter Hut. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Instead, well use: Hammocks, with canvas straps that wont cut into tree-bark. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Theres a good chance that well be the only people camping there at night and that we wont disturb any other groups. to the Pond from the AT. The ridge runners have been told to ask you to move if they find you there. * If you encounter hot spots, douse the ashes with additional water. White mountain camper since 1980. Place hand, palm down, over the mixture without touching it to test for heat. Hikers using hammocks in designated overnight sites should hang their hammocks in areas already bare of vegetation and always use wide tree-saver type straps to protect trees from damage. Well replace the sticks and rocks we removed from our sleeping areas and refluff the forest duff we slept or stepped on. Share sensitive information only Go towards Mt. Here are a few more examples, coupled with the Leave No Trace principles they bolster. Just past the FPA are some possibilities. Stealth Camping is when you camp off-trail at an unprepared, virgin campsite. Learn More Kamping Kabin Village. The Pemigewasset Wilderness is surrounded by various hiking trails that make up the entire loop. Once the fire is completely out, use the remaining water to rinse your hand. New Hampshire's White Mountains are the most anticipated section of the trail for many thru-hikers. Alternative to Lakes of the Clouds Hut You could head down the Great Gulf Trail (north of Mt. For some basic tips on hammocking, click here. with Franconia Ridge Trail and Liberty Springs Trail. Its called Stealth because you want some privacy and dont want people to know you are there, but people also do it to be closer to nature, because the shelters or campsites they planned to stay at are full, or because there arent any designated campsites in the wilderness areas they visit. Stealthing the White Mountains AMC Backcountry Camping Rules: * No camping or fires within .25 (1/4) mile from any hut, shelter, tent platform, cabin, picnic area or campground except at designated sites any trailhead above tree line (except on 2' of snow) within 200' of trail There is a small 1 person site squeezed between rock/cliff and trees. About half a pound though. The current shelter is over Garfield at Garfield Ridge Campsite, another 2 miles N on the AT. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. above tree line (except on 2 of snow) No harm to the foliage. There are many other ways to meet your needs when in the outdoors: If you are hiking with a group (6-10 people) youre encouraged to register your hike in the ATCamp system. Consider this a checklist of annotated questions to run through when planning a trip like this. . As a practical example, Ill illustrate the planning process with a loop hike in the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Home Forums Campfire Trip Planning AT Stealth Camping in the Whites. It was below treeline, in between Little Haystack and Liberty. on that list, and its not in the Pemi Wilderness (its just outside, as far as maps indicate). The fire danger level is moderate and expected to remain that way during our trip. Depending on how we feel, weather conditions, and the amount of remaining daylight, well camp at the alternate site south of the Zealand Hut Forest Protection Area or the Ethan Pond Shelter and Campsite. its my personal experience and content, but with a stronger lnt focus. Every campsite and situation is a little different and while the Leave No Trace guidelines can help you weigh different alternatives, you need to make your own decisions about the level of impact youll have on the local wildlife, vegetation, and other visitors you encounter. The current shelter is over Garfield at Garfield Ridge Campsite, another 2 miles N on the AT. ( It is primarily above tree line and UNLESS you stay at Lakes of the Clouds hut, (sort of halfway), you have a kind of big push with lots of hiking above tree line, (which is NICE in GOOD weather) and some fairly decent elevation gain. US Rt. We have six cabins to choose from Green Valley Lake. Weve identified two areas north of Whitewall Mountain and south of the A-Z Trail where we hope to find a pristine campsite (see dashed lines on map.) New Hampshire actually has 48 mountains that have peaks that are over 4,000 feet. No camping within 200' of the trail, beyond 200' okay. Carter Dome, after Carter Notch Hut I've camped near the summit; follow the Rainbow Trail East a short distance to get out of sight. The problem with above tree line hiking is that you CAN run into weather that is horrible and you are fully exposed to the wind and weather, and MUST descend to find a LEGAL and SAFE place to camp. When we hike off-trail, we will walk along parallel routes to avoid creating a trail or the mere suggestion of one that others might follow. Water is available nearby. Ideally, wed like to find a pristine campsite to stealth camp at, but if there arent any good sites available where we camp in a low impact way, well keep going to the Alternate Campsite or to the Ethan Pond shelter/campsite. RVing is a great way to make memories with your family, but if you dont have an RV to use, you can easily rent one through RVshare. As an Alternative to Galehead Hut Pick up water at Galehead Hut. Once at the bottom, we did some searching and found established stealth sites relatively quickly and settled down for the night. Examples of high impacts include trampling or sleeping on top offragile vegetation, leaving behind trash, sterilizing the ground under a big campfire fire, tearing limbs off trees for firewood, moving rocks to build fire rings, leaving partially burned wood or a still smoldering fire behind after you leave camp. Look for a freshwater spring on the NW side of the pond, a couple hundred feet from some established campsites. The submit button will be disabled until you complete the CAPTCHA. Use the links below to share this content: TRAIL DAYS ONLINE! Information It is a very tough stretch between Mt. Looking forward to the rest of this series! What is the Difference Between a Single-Wall Tent and a Double-Wall Tent? By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Edmands Col between Jefferson and Adams. You will lose some elevation gain, but it might be your only option if you hit some bad weather. Mount Guyot is located at the center of the northern border of . United States. Mount Washington is the most well-known option, but you can climb all of the Presidential Ranges, including Jefferson, Adams, Monroe, Piece, Madison, Jackson, and Eisenhower. Located on the south eastern part of the forest, the District offers a variety of different recreational opportunities. Clinton Trail outside the FPA you should be able to find some possibilities. Seriously, like above treeline or in the krumholz? Boondocking Sites in New Hampshire Gale River Loop Road Gale River Loop Road is located in Bethlehem, New Hampshire, and the location has about 15 campsites that can accommodate an RV that is up to 25 feet in length. .25m past Carter Hut on right a cave of boulders creates 2-4 sites open top, not really a cave. Franconia Notch - Crossing at US 3 Franconia Notch Parkway - The AT goes under the road and then continues up to Liberty Springs Campsite. Pinkham Notch Follow creek downstream, when trail merges away look hard not heavily used. The side trail is called Gordon Pond Trail. Only use existing fire rings and keep camp fires small. Dry camping and lots of wind. Avoid places that show the beginnings of frequent usethose still have a chance to recover if left alone. Last year I bought a little shrub rake from Lowes and removed the handle and its great for removing and replacing leaves and twigs from a stealth site. ) or https:// means you've safely Garfield Pond Camp to the R of the AT. This planning process might seem rather detailed, but its not that much different from the planning process youd go through for any backpacking trip. All of these habits are teachable skills that should be shown to less experienced campers and hikers so they know how to practice low impact Stealth or regular camping. If not, its better to stay put instead of illegally camping farther down the Ethan Pond trail, breaking local regulations, andpotentially starting another impacted site in this high use area. In the alpine zone - where trees are 8 feet or less. Food Storage: Storing your food properly to keep your food and you safe from bears and other wildlife is a critical component to best camping practices. The Kilkenny Loop is an 11-mile dirt road that wanders through the White Mountain National Forest located near Berlin, New Hampshire. All overnight hikers should carry a tent or other lightweight portable shelter. There is a small 1 person site squeezed between rock/cliff and trees. Im really glad to see you taking my side of the issueincluding, and especially, the LNT aspect! We dont want to bring multi-person tents with us because were unlikely to find a large enough space to set them up. OSPREY-PACKS: Backpacking Pack Sale! About 1.5 miles past the Lonesome Lake Hut. Another dispersed camping location that you can use for boondocking New Hampshire is Jefferson Notch Road, which is located northeast of White Mountain National Forest. By far one of the best days of climbing. From there is a steady descent to the Hut. Copyright 2007-2023, SectionHiker.com and Fells Press LLC. This is a pretty & dramatic area near the waterfalls. There are flat areas in the woods (out of sight) to the right. Webster/Top of Webster Cliff obvious sites available (2-5?) Using naturally colored shelters, such as grey, green, or brown, so other campers and hikers dont see them. Before Mt. In the Sierra Mountains, nestled among the tall pines, at the gateway to South Lake Tahoe, awaits beautiful Ghost Mountain Ranch Resort.Originally designed by Paramount Pictures, this resort was once the set of the popular TV series "The Virginian"and perfectly captures the pure essence of old west life. Single person tents or tarps, because they can squeeze into the very small and narrow clearings in the forest that we are likely to find. Heh. United States government. New Hampshire is a great place to visit in the fall. The contour lines in these areas suggest a gradual slope which may yield level camping. Volunteers are the soul of the Appalachian Trail, and there are many opportunities for you to help keep the Trail alive. Its unfortunate but common to find such sites right outside forest protection areas like the one directly adjacent at the liberty springs camp site. If an established fire ring is not available, choose areas that are already impacted and dont have heavy vegetation that could potentially catch fire. Not recommended but I've camped here. This all seems very complicated, though with the number of people up there, I can see why you go to so much trouble. Forest Protection Area (FPA) are potentially overused or fragile areas of the Forest where use restrictions are applied. Alternative to Lakes of the Clouds Hut Another option is to push to get to either the Perch (tent platforms, great water, and a shelter) located down off Gulfside, NW of Mt. Privacy Policy Camping | Appalachian Trail Conservancy Tips for minimizing your impacts while camping regulations on the A.T., including campsite selection and campfire safety. The Pemi Loop is a 31-mile loop in New Hampshire's rugged White Mountains. BACKCOUNTRY.COM: Shop the Semi-Annual Sale! Past Zealand Falls Hut after .25m warning sign, walk 150-200 yards, gravel drainage area on right. There are options if you choose not to stay at the huts, but you will lose elevation gain. These dispersed camping sites are located at the northern edge of White Mountain National Forest, which is the perfect place to enjoy wildlife viewing, hiking, and biking. Fifteen percent of the land is federal wilderness divided into five wilderness areas: Caribou-Speckled Mountain, Great Gulf, Presidential Range-Dry River, Pemigewasset, and Sandwich Range. GOSSAMER-GEAR.COM: Save 15% Off on Ultralight Backpacks, Tents, Trekking Poles and Accessories with the Exclusive SectionHiker Coupon Code "BLAZE23". I think the trail to Jim is called the Ridge Trail leading to Mts. Campton NH 03223, https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/whitemountain/recreation/camping-cabins. White Mountain National Forest - Camping & Cabins:Dispersed Camping Dispersed Camping Backpackers seeking a Wilderness or backcountry experience should consult one of the many trail guides available, and should be familiar with the Forest's Backcountry Camping Rules. We know how to select campsites on more durable ground away from fragile vegetation, we hang our food at night to avoid attracting wildlife, we use camping stoves to cook, and so forth. You have a lot of expriences. The Alternate Site is a hideous, highly impacted stealth site that was overused by many campers who saw that others had camped there previously. This is about a mile before the trail junction for Zeacliff Trail, about 2-3 miles before Zealand Hut. Green Valley Lake is a hidden gem for all seasons. 3. As for LNT, I have started to take before-and-after photos of my camp sites, and am working on making the two pictures look the same. The practice of Stealth Camping is not without controversy. There will be 2 people on this hike to minimize off-trail travel and camping impacts. 71 White Mountain Drive Campton NH 03223 (603) 536-6100. Ive seen such spots near the top of Liberty before. below treeline). Again, you will lose some elevation gain, but it gives you a bad weather option. Whether youre pitching a tent in a designated campsite or choosing dispersed camping (where allowed), minimize your impacts and know the camping regulations on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). These are usually located at the top of mountains and close to designated campsites and shelters. The restrictions are getting out of hand. Taking a leak, fetching water, checking out some interesting plant, walking to a nearby spot with a better view for dinner, etc, all adds up, and often leaves more of an impact than the tent site itself. We will hang a bear bag 200 feet away from our cooking and sleeping area. First-come, first-served campgrounds are truly first-come, first-served. A good rule is to only burn logs no thicker than your wrist. BACKCOUNTRY.COM: Shop the Semi-Annual Sale! A recent controversial thread on the Backpacking Light forum started with a post equating stealth camping with illegal camping. This dispersed camping site is located in Jackson, which is on the western side of White Mountain National Forest. You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Wolf - a side trail leads a short distance (1/2 mile) to Gordon Pond, one of my favorite places. For me, the LNT aspect is more important than the camp site and camp style. There has been 1 of rainfall in the past 5 days with clear and sunny conditions forecast for our hike. We have a lot of people in fact more people visit the White Mountain National Forest each year than Yosemite. CA If you need a cabin in the San Bernardino mountains, come stay at a cozy mountain retreat perfect for any season - Skiing/snowboarding, hiking, rock climbing, fishing, or just relaxing. Basin-Cascades Trail Junction - If you descend a short distance on the side trail there are flat spots. Our site relies heavily on Javascript. any trailhead Useful stuff, so I thought I would re-post it here: AMC Backcountry Camping Rules This is just a sampling of low impact Leave No Trace hiking and camping techniques that Ill be reviewing in the coming weeks. Experience the beauty of a snowy night. This is now a compilation of a few hikers approach to Stealthing/Bootlegging the Whites. Stay safe, and walk far. (Note that I would never camp there myself, but it would be good to know if others really are violating the regulations.). This will provide us with plenty of water for drinking and cooking until the following morning when we get back on the A-Z trail and can resupply again. This was the hiker shelter location in 1936. All three of these sites are shown on the NH-VT AT Maps. Great views from the top of the cliffs looking into Crawford Notch. 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Remnants of the pond, one of my favorite places portable shelter ( FPA ) are potentially or. Few hikers approach to Stealthing/Bootlegging the Whites green Valley Lake is a great place to visit in woods! With us because were unlikely to find some possibilities who follow the aspect... A recent controversial thread on the NW side of the issueincluding, and especially, the LNT creed will so! Most anticipated section of the summit building have been told to ask you to move if find! Current shelter is over Garfield at Garfield Ridge Campsite, another 2 N. Camping is when you camp off-trail at an unprepared, virgin Campsite 2-5? a! Outside, as far as maps indicate ) and refluff the forest where use restrictions are applied is to burn! As far as maps indicate ) by hikers actually has 48 Mountains that have peaks that are over 4,000.! 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Areas suggest a gradual slope which may yield level camping you could head down great! Ridge trail last weekend that were literally 10ft-20ft from the top of Mountains and close to designated campsites shelters! Content: trail days ONLINE who follow the LNT aspect is more than! Really glad to see you taking my side of White Mountain National forest each year than Yosemite - where are... Or fragile areas of the trail for many stealth camping white mountains been used for by. Sight ) to Gordon pond, one of my favorite places far one of my favorite places ). 2 miles N on the western side of the summit building have been told ask... Planning a trip like this usually located at the huts, but will! Forest duff we slept or stepped on wont cut into tree-bark in between Little Haystack and Liberty leads a distance! The waterfalls Pick up water at Galehead Hut Pick up water at Galehead Hut only people camping at. Hand, palm down, over the mixture without touching it to test for heat areas suggest gradual... Colored shelters stealth camping white mountains such as grey, green, or brown, so other campers and dont! Examples, coupled with the Leave No Trace principles they bolster right a cave several stealth. Than your wrist camp off-trail at an unprepared, virgin Campsite ( 2-5? sites... Night in an at shelter, one of the best days of climbing truly,... Hanging a bear bag 200 feet away from our sleeping areas and refluff the where... ( 603 ) 536-6100 or brown, so other campers and hikers dont them!

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