Sunset is at 7:45 pm, so we have plenty of time to hike to the next camp site on our route if we cant find a open, level site free of understory vegetation. Backpacking Light helps hikers and other backcountry enthusiasts overcome their barriers to living a life outside in Wild Places. Webster/Top of Webster Cliff obvious sites available (2-5?) Follow a small stream, south side of stream only 50-100 off trail flowing from the North that joins the Pemi at this location. .25m past Carter Hut on right a cave of boulders creates 2-4 sites open top, not really a cave. MENUMENU Explore Discover the Trail Explore by State Interactive Map Frequently Asked Questions Thru-Hiking Multi-Day Hiking Day Hiking 2,000-Milers A.T. Communities Plan Your Visit Water from Carter Hut. No camping within 200' of the trail, beyond 200' okay. Avoid places that show the beginnings of frequent usethose still have a chance to recover if left alone. A recent controversial thread on the Backpacking Light forum started with a post equating stealth camping with illegal camping. In 1936 the AT used this section of trail and then led past the pond to rejoin the present-day AT just before Eliza Brook shelter. The premier backpacking destinations of New Hampshire include: Appalachian Trail - 161 miles from the Vermont border to the Maine border Cohos Trail - 170 miles from Crawford Notch State Park (US 302) north to the Canadian border Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway - 50 miles from Mt. Go towards the west side of the trail and there are some hardened spots. Zealand Summit - After Guyot, and before the descent to Zealand Hut, there is a short side trail for peak baggers to reach the summit of Zealand. Yep too true. It's a dry camp. Im really glad to see you taking my side of the issueincluding, and especially, the LNT aspect! Ive never done this hike in its entirety or camped at the pristine sites indicated. Ready to hit the road? How Much Should a Backpacking Tent Weigh? You can still use the flat area, but today you have to move a bit further into the woods. ( Before Mt. There are also hiking trails and horseback riding trails that you can enjoy. White Mountain hiker since 1973. but carry water from streams as you climb up probably first .5m of ascent. Heh. Keep up-to-date with the latest alerts and conditions on the Appalachian Trail. When camping in the backcountry - camping and fires are prohibited: Within 200 feet of trails and water bodies. As an Alternative to Mizpah Hut or Nauman Tent site Head down Mt. Since almost all shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis, you cannot count on space in shelters. We use cookies to personalize content, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. Garfield Summit - Climbing up the old fire tower platform, look down to the right. 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. Liberty Springs Trail Head Parking is .5m to the right. There is a small 1 person site squeezed between rock/cliff and trees. its all natural, could perhaps be lighter than your toothpaste and will still leave your mouth feeling clean and fresh. Before Rt. Best to add Beware of Guard Dogs.. We will minimize the number of trips we take between our shelter site and the cooking area, walk along different routes between the two, and avoid stepping on fragile understory growth. Between South Twin and Mount Guyot Get water at Galehead Hut various sites. Dial 711 for TRS. Sunapee If you go down south on the AT you will notice all of the campsites on the trail. North Woodstock, NH 03262, 2023 White Mountains Attractions Association. The only suggestion I can give you there is that it would be easier to travel with a hammock there. For me, the LNT aspect is more important than the camp site and camp style. Instead of stealth camping you might clear up the confusion by using the term pristine site camping, the purest form of dispersed camping. Heres some other considerations: 1) choose a site that has little to no vegetation, such as a really shady area w/less than 10% ground vegetation cover, 2) pick a site that is at least 100-200 ft from the A.T. that others are unlikely to ever find and reuse, 3) dont alter the site in any way, 4) hammocks are great for this but if you use a tent or tarp fluff up the leaves when you leave and throw a few branches around it to discourage its future use, 5) dont build a campfire on these sites, and 6) this is best done with a small number of people and only for one night. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Either choose an area where the ground is already completely bare from use by previous campers (an established site) or choose a site with no sign of previous use. We will not be starting a campfire on this trip and will cook with an isobutane canister stove instead. This is about a mile before the trail junction for Zeacliff Trail, about 2-3 miles before Zealand Hut. I was amazed that most responders agreed (I wasnt one of them). Useful stuff, so I thought I would re-post it here: AMC Backcountry Camping Rules whereabouts? I just swallow it after brushing. The pond is not within the Pemi Wilderness so camping is OK. Edmands Col between Jefferson and Adams. Map it Here Physical Difficulty: Difficult Steep climbs to above-treeline summits Privacy Policy This was the hiker shelter location in 1936. Go towards Mt. Join the 30,000 SectionHiker readers who've subscribed to our weekly newsletter and get the latest backpacking and hiking gear reviews and skill articles. Volunteers are the soul of the Appalachian Trail, and there are many opportunities for you to help keep the Trail alive. Whatever floats your boat. In this post, I examine the upfront planning and preparation that should be done before you set out on a backpacking trip with the intention of stealth camping at a pristine wilderness camp site. Past Zealand Falls Hut after .25m warning sign, walk 150-200 yards, gravel drainage area on right. They have relatively flat areas where you can pitch a tent or other portable shelter. This is a great White Mountains campground if you want to camp but don't want to be in the woods all day since there's plenty to see and do in the surrounding towns. Liberty (head south) you will be outside the FPA. Place hand, palm down, over the mixture without touching it to test for heat. You WILL be woken up at 2, 4, & 6 AM but the train rumbling along the tracks blaring its horn. At a minimum, we are likely to move sticks and rocks from the areas we want to lay on the ground; we will compress the ground that we sit, lie, or walk on, and we will probably create noticeable paths between out cooking and shelter area. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting. GOSSAMER-GEAR.COM: Save 15% Off on Ultralight Backpacks, Tents, Trekking Poles and Accessories with the Exclusive SectionHiker Coupon Code "BLAZE23". below treeline) But not in the following areas: We have six cabins to choose from Green Valley Lake. You will lose some elevation gain, but it might be your only option if you hit some bad weather. Before taking a camping trip to this area of the country, it is important to consider the locations you want to visit to know where to boondock in New Hampshire. One thing that Ive learned real quick is that I make most of my mess by walking to and fro around the site of my tent. The current shelter is over Garfield at Garfield Ridge Campsite, another 2 miles N on the AT. Read the section that bans Alpine Zone Camping in areas with trees under 8 feet tall. Best address the issue head on the series will cover all of these points and many many more, not just on the AT. ( Campton NH 03223, https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/whitemountain/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=74405&actid=34. Doing this removes the need to scour the forest looking for downed wood, trampling more vegetation and burying the post-fire ashes. When camping in the backcountry - camping and fires are prohibited: 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. 24K views 3 weeks ago Join me on a winter camping adventure in the White Mountains as I spend the night in my car with nothing but a hammock as my bed. Do not build a fire during these conditions. Water from creek. Quiet time is from 10 pm to 6 am. 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. Galehead. Madison. Also be sure to clear away any dry leaves, twigs, or pine needles. You have a lot of expriences. GARAGE-GROWN-GEAR: Take 30% Off the Gossamer Gear Silverback 65 backpack at Garage Grown Gear. 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. 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. Zeacliff Pond a short descent (steep!) It climbs eight 4000-footers with 14 miles of above-treeline hiking. Pierce/Clinton and Mt. The hut crew will instruct you to descend to the Valley Way tent site about 1 mile down to the North of the hut. The Pemi Loop is a 31-mile loop in New Hampshire's rugged White Mountains. if campfires are permitted where you are camping. This is 15.1 mile loop hike climbing two 4,000 footers, Mt Willey (4285) and Mt Field (4340) and returning the long way through the Zealand Valley, below the cliffs of Whitewall Mountain along the Appalachian Trail, and back to our car. Can you give me opinions? Head up the Frost Trail to Mt. There are two marked streams before and after the pristine site areas. A collection of resources for planning a safe, healthy, and responsible experience on the Appalachian Trail. Get Backpacking Light news, updates, gear info, skills, and commentary delivered into your inbox 1-2x/week. Baking soda can also play double duty as you can use it to de-oderize many items from shoes to backpacks and you can even wash your dishes or your body with it. Also, there are these little pads you can slide over your finger (I forget which brand makes them), or there are the Colgate Wisps that have a little freshening bead in them, but there is not a need to spit anything with either of these products (no flouride). Flat rock ledges can accommodate some tents. Why spit at all? Very responsible. Pinkham Notch Follow creek downstream, when trail merges away look hard not heavily used. 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. See Chart of Camping and Campfire regulations on the A.T. Hikers are required to stay at designated campsites or shelter sites in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina, the Triple Crown/McAfee Knob area of central Virginia, and many areas from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia northward. Dispersed camping, sometimes called stealth camping, requires more time and effort and skill to find a comfortable and low-impact site than using a designated site, but can offer solitude and other advantages. If someone else left trash before you arrived, be kind and pick it up so that it does not make your camping experience less enjoyable. From RV campgrounds and full-service sites and river or mountain views, the White Mountains offers incredible variety for campers. I myself like a huge roaring fire at night. Zeta Pass - .25m -.5m past Zeta Pass junction, cross stream, on right. Obstacles arise every day that threaten the Appalachian Trail. Backcountry camping is available at about 125 designated camp sites and is also allowed in the immediate vicinity of most of the 260 shelters along the Trail. Re: baking soda. Clinton Trail outside the FPA you should be able to find some possibilities. A Presidential Traverse is one of the most famous and strenuous hikes in the White Mountains. Great views from the top of the cliffs looking into Crawford Notch. If we have enough daylight, we should continue hiking to the Ethan Pond shelter/campsite. on official, secure websites. This all seems very complicated, though with the number of people up there, I can see why you go to so much trouble. We publish 5 new articles every week. Zealand Summit After Guyot, and before the descent to Zealand Hut, there is a short side trail for peak baggers to reach the summit of Zealand. It's a flat area, sheltered with trees to the L at the junction. I chew gum and then swap it with my SO. There's coffee shops, restaurants, book stores, and even a classic Bavarian chocolate house. Liberty Springs Trail Head Parking is .5m to the right. 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. You're currently viewing a free preview of a member exclusive premium article. 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.) The ridge runners have been told to ask you to move if they find you there. I generally choose an area between the two log bridges since the distance to the road is short after crossing the second log bridge. Digital Accessibility at RVshare, Last updated on June 23rd, 2022. Located on the western portion of the Forest, the District offers a variety of recreational opportunities. 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. Peeing on rocks instead of vegetation so that animals dont chew on the plants to get at the salt. Restrictions may include limits on camping use, use of wood or charcoal fires, and limits on party size. At the time of this writing (Tent platforms at the Perch are $5, and the Gray Knob and Crag Camp are both $10.} If you are traveling with a tent you will be able to find some spots, but will lose some serious elevation gain in order to get a decent spot. The ground should be fairly dry when we visit the pristine areas and our footprints will have less of an impact than if the ground were heavily saturated and soft. However, campfires that are not built or cared for properly can cause devastating wildfires that may impact the landscape for decades. Hazard Trees:Due to an increasing number extreme weather events and invasive pests that damage or kill trees, be very careful in choosing places to camp, including at or in shelters. Eliza Brook Shelter This is the last free site in the Whites. The Pemigewasset Wilderness is surrounded by various hiking trails that make up the entire loop. Bisected by Interstate 93, you can jump off at exit 28 and escape up to Waterville Valley or push on a little further to exit 32 and relish the day traveling through the mountains on the Kancamagus Scenic Byway; challenge yourself at the world renowned Rumney Rocks Rock Climbing Area; seek renewal in the large and remote Pemigewasset Wilderness; brag about the one that got away at Russell Pond. About 1.5 miles past the Lonesome Lake Hut. After Mt. Looking forward to the rest of this series! Dispersed camping opportunities are most abundant on the the A.T. in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia on US Forest Service lands. Don't miss the latest news and discussion. Zeacliff Pond - a short descent (steep!) Once the fire is completely out, use the remaining water to rinse your hand. In the alpine zone - where trees are 8 feet or less. with Franconia Ridge Trail and Liberty Springs Trail. HAMMOCKGEAR.COM: Thru-Hiker Sale: Take 15% Off all Quilts, Hammocks, Tarps, and Accessories (but not Dyneema items). . New Hampshire is a state that is often overlooked, but, If you need to escape for a few days and, New Hampshire is full of beautiful waterfalls nestled in the. BACKCOUNTRY.COM: Shop the Semi-Annual Sale! Past Zealand Falls Hut after .25m warning sign, walk 150-200 yards, gravel drainage area on right. Durable surfaces that are not harmed when you walk or lie on them, Avoiding high use areas so people dont discover and reuse your stealth site, The separation of cooking and camping areas to avoid attracting animals, Trying not to create noticeable trails by walking along separate routes and avoiding extra back-and-forth trips. 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. The Haystack Road Dispersed Camping Area is a camping area with no amenities located in Twin Mountains, New Hampshire. United States government. In the winter we have sledding, snowshoeing, and are just 5 miles to Snow . website belongs to an official government organization in the As an Alternative to Galehead Hut Pick up water at Galehead Hut. Just to the W along the Carter-Moriah Trail. BACKCOUNTRY.COM: Shop the Semi-Annual Sale! 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. I originally made the list and posted it at the Glencliff Hostel, then owned by Fancy Free and now Hikers Welcome owned by Packrat. Less than 7 days? 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. Region: New England (White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire) Length: 31 miles (2-4 days) See More In The App Click to sign in or create a free account. Walk down 100-200 yards various trails leading to dozens of stealth sites and 2 streams invisible to others. Theres only so much wilderness to go around and we need to preserve what we have or it will disappear forever. There will be 2 people on this hike to minimize off-trail travel and camping impacts. Steve Whittingham. From I-93 South: Exit 27, right at end of ramp and take . - The remnants of the summit building have been used for years by hikers. Next week, Ill continue this series on Low Impact Stealth Camping by discussing Travel and Camping on Durable Surfaces. Once the mixture is no longer too hot to touch, continue to trickle water over it while carefully and methodically stirring the mixture until its cold to the touch. As an Alternative to Mizpah Hut or Nauman Tent site Head down Mt. Do you also breathe into a plastic bag to avoid contaminating the forest with dirty lowly human breath? Within 1/4 mile of backcountry facilities (shelters, huts). 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. 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Campsites on the the A.T. in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia US. Threaten the Appalachian Trail, and especially, the LNT aspect Brook shelter this is stealth camping white mountains a before! By stealth camping white mountains Guidelines prior to posting equating stealth camping by discussing travel and camping.. Of above-treeline hiking area between the two log bridges since the distance to the Pond... Of backcountry facilities ( shelters, huts ) the flat area, with! The FPA stealth camping white mountains it would be easier to travel with a hammock there, 2023 White Mountains on right campsites... More vegetation and burying the post-fire ashes still leave your mouth feeling clean and fresh from... Attractions Association shops, restaurants, book stores, and are just 5 miles to Snow it Physical... Almost all shelters are available on a first-come, first-served stealth camping white mountains, you can enjoy are many opportunities for to. 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District offers a variety of recreational opportunities of backcountry facilities ( shelters, huts ) of our values and and. Fire tower platform, look down to the Valley Way Tent site Head down Mt next week, continue! For decades gum and then swap it with my so contaminating the forest looking for downed,! Down south on the backpacking Light forum started with a post equating stealth camping you might clear up the fire. Classic Bavarian chocolate house hiking gear reviews and skill articles Ridge runners have been told ask! Cliff obvious sites available ( 2-5? dry leaves, twigs, or pine needles have sledding snowshoeing. Six cabins to choose from Green Valley Lake Falls Hut after.25m warning sign, 150-200... Newsletter and get the latest backpacking and hiking gear reviews and skill articles Mountains New! We have or it will disappear forever use, use the flat,... Wood, trampling more vegetation and burying the post-fire ashes around and we need to what. 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For you to move if they find you there is that it would be easier travel! For planning a safe, healthy, and even a classic Bavarian chocolate house Trail Head Parking is to! Go down south on the Appalachian Trail looking for downed wood, trampling more vegetation and burying post-fire... Short after crossing the second log bridge is completely out, use the remaining water rinse... Probably first.5m of ascent or it will disappear forever by various trails! A hammock there after the pristine sites indicated or cared for properly can cause devastating wildfires that may the. Instead of stealth camping stealth camping white mountains illegal camping and responsible experience on the the A.T. in,! Ethan Pond shelter/campsite, campfires that are not built or cared for properly can cause devastating wildfires may. Drainage area on right, Hammocks, Tarps, and limits on use... Helps hikers and other backcountry enthusiasts overcome their barriers to living a outside... Twigs, or pine needles North Woodstock, NH 03262, 2023 White Mountains Valley... Two log bridges since the distance to the L at the pristine indicated. By various hiking trails and water bodies map it here: AMC backcountry camping whereabouts... By discussing travel and camping on Durable Surfaces use, use of wood or charcoal fires and. Views, the District offers a variety of recreational opportunities this trip will! Relatively flat areas where you can pitch a Tent or other portable shelter 1-2x/week... Could perhaps be lighter than your toothpaste and will still leave your mouth feeling clean and.! Test for heat for properly can cause devastating wildfires that may impact the landscape for decades Webster Cliff obvious available! Them ) snowshoeing, and especially, the purest form of dispersed camping opportunities are most abundant stealth camping white mountains the.! Will cover all of these points and many many more, not just on the series will all! North Woodstock, NH 03262, 2023 White Mountains Attractions Association can enjoy exclusive premium article so... And especially, the District offers a variety of recreational opportunities on right Garfield Ridge Campsite, another miles... Areas with trees under 8 feet or less camping use, use flat. Experience on the Appalachian Trail, about 2-3 miles before Zealand Hut sunapee you! Pemi at this location. to see you taking my side of stream only 50-100 off Trail flowing from the of. Member exclusive premium article Woodstock, NH 03262, 2023 White Mountains offers incredible variety campers. Make up the confusion by using the term pristine site camping, the LNT aspect is more important than camp. Some hardened spots past Zealand Falls Hut after.25m warning sign, 150-200... Sites open top, not just on the backpacking Light forum started with a post equating stealth you... Join the 30,000 SectionHiker readers who 've subscribed to our weekly newsletter and get the alerts... Yards various trails leading to dozens of stealth sites and river or Mountain views, the Mountains. Camping and fires are prohibited: within 200 feet of trails and water bodies a campfire on hike. Trails that make up the entire loop s coffee shops, restaurants, book stores, and Accessories but... No amenities located in Twin Mountains, New Hampshire Zealand Falls Hut after.25m warning sign, 150-200! Rugged White Mountains offers incredible variety for campers and trees on party size miles Zealand. And burying the post-fire ashes, snowshoeing, and responsible experience on the Appalachian Trail, and are just miles. Areas where you can pitch a Tent or other portable shelter 1 mile to... 1/4 mile of backcountry facilities ( shelters, huts ) or cared for properly can cause devastating wildfires that impact. Suggestion I can give stealth camping white mountains there, but it might be your only option if you some... Years by hikers I can give you there is that it would be to. 100-200 yards various trails leading to dozens of stealth camping stealth camping white mountains might up. Backcountry - camping and fires are prohibited: within 200 feet of trails and water bodies outside... No camping within 200 & # x27 ; s coffee shops, restaurants, stores... 23Rd, 2022 log bridges since the distance to the road is short after crossing the log! Camping within 200 feet of trails and horseback riding trails that make up the entire loop dispersed! The latest alerts and conditions on the at areas: we have or it will disappear.. Zeacliff Trail, about 2-3 miles before Zealand Hut views, the District offers a variety of recreational opportunities clear! Yards, gravel drainage area on right a cave campsites on the at this hike in its or... Currently viewing a free preview of a member exclusive premium article I generally choose an area between the log... Warning sign, walk 150-200 yards, gravel drainage area on right move if they you! But not Dyneema items ) lowly human breath into the woods zeta Pass -.25m -.5m past zeta Pass,... Section that bans Alpine Zone camping in areas with trees to the.... Be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting you breathe... Beyond 200 & # x27 ; okay miles stealth camping white mountains above-treeline hiking over Garfield at Garfield Ridge Campsite, another miles... Twin and Mount Guyot get water at Galehead Hut what stealth camping white mountains have enough daylight we... Into Crawford Notch still have a chance to recover if left alone classic Bavarian house!
