(Click TWICE for a larger version of the map.) A natural water source such as a spring or creek is usually nearby. Steve Whittingham. Basin-Cascades Trail Junction If you descend a short distance on the side trail there are flat spots. Refluffing the forest floor because you slept on it the night before?! The biggest problem area for finding a site that will not incur you lots of elevation loss is between Mt. Well replace the sticks and rocks we removed from our sleeping areas and refluff the forest duff we slept or stepped on. Its also cheaper than toothpaste. United States government. Mt. United States government. Go towards the west side of the trail and there are some hardened spots. Recreational opportunities abound: hiking, camping, hiking, biking, fishing, skiing (alpine, cross country, and backcountry), snowmobiling, snowshoeing and much more. (Various sites.) Look for a sign on the L. There's room for a couple of tents, dry camping. No duplication of photos, maps, or text without permission. Just to the W along the Carter-Moriah Trail. Obstacles arise every day that threaten the Appalachian Trail. If you are concerned about leaving behind globs of toothpaste you might consider brushing your teeth with a little water and baking soda. From there is a steady descent to the Hut. See our Camping Chart below for more details). Trains run all hours of the night. Pinkham Notch Follow creek downstream, when trail merges away look hard not heavily used. 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. The White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) in northern New Hampshire covers nearly 800,000 acres-an area larger than Rhode Island. Closer to Guyot than S. Twin. Regarding impacted unofficial campsites near trails that aint stealth! Though campfires can provide many benefits, they require time, effort, and knowledge to maintain. The side trail is called Ripley or Ripley Falls or something like that. Heated pool,. Before Mt. Pinkham Notch Follow creek downstream, when trail merges away look hard not heavily used. We know that the area north of the A-Z trail and below Mt Tom is wet and boggy due to intense beaver activity and unsuitable for camping. [At time of writing, Valley Way tent site is free @ Madison Hut, as is Osgood tent site at Bottom of Madison Mountain. Last summer, a trail angel gave me this list of places to camp in the Whites along the AT. Use a camp stove and place it on rock or ground that is already bare. Seriously, like above treeline or in the krumholz? .25m past Carter Hut on right a cave of boulders creates 2-4 sites open top, not really a cave. From RV campgrounds and full-service sites and river or mountain views, the White Mountains offers incredible variety for campers. 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). Day 7: Stealth site to Ethan Pond Shelter. Set up a dispersed or low-impact stealth campsite only where allowed (the most abundant opportunities are on US Forest Service lands in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia; in many other areas dispersed camping is prohibited or there may be restrictions. TTY 603-536-3685 From I-93 North: Exit 27, left at end of ramp and go under highway; take right just past south-bound off-ramp. 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 Dispersed Camping; Group Camping . How Much Should a Backpacking Tent Weigh? This is a pretty & dramatic area near the waterfalls. A recent controversial thread on the Backpacking Light forum started with a post equating stealth camping with illegal camping. You dont see that up here in the whites. I originally made the list and posted it at the Glencliff Hostel, then owned by Fancy Free and now Hikers Welcome owned by Packrat. Water from Carter Hut. Flat rock ledges can accommodate some tents. There are flat areas in the woods (out of sight) to the right. The practice of Stealth Camping is not without controversy. Dispersion matters. within 200 of trail. You're currently viewing a free preview of a member exclusive premium article. Dry camp. Look for a freshwater spring on the NW side of the pond, a couple hundred feet from some established campsites. I think the trail to Jim is called the Ridge Trail leading to Mts. Lake Placid-Whiteface Mt KOA Campground xSpectacular 70-acres of towering birch and pine forest at the base of Whiteface Mountain along the Ausable River with gorges and waterfalls. Looking forward to the rest of this series, as Im still fairly new to the backpacking/hiking community. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Look for a freshwater spring on the NW side of the pond, a couple hundred feet from some established campsites. Avoid places that show the beginnings of frequent usethose still have a chance to recover if left alone. This is a pretty & dramatic area near the waterfalls. We dont want to bring multi-person tents with us because were unlikely to find a large enough space to set them up. Never build a new fire ring. Look for a sign on the L. There's room for a couple of tents, dry camping. And it helps settle the stomach, which I find is sometimes effected w/spicy food. website belongs to an official government organization in the You will have to dip down to camp. above tree line (except on 2 of snow) 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. In this state, there are many options that are free to use, and many of them are located near a lake or a mountain. RVshare Respectful Community Policy It is a small and semi-remote campground, perfect for those who seek a more tranquil camping experience. Again, you will lose some serious elevation gain there. Fishin' Jimmy Trail - This is on the AT about a mile before the Lonesome Lake Hut. Alternative to Liberty Springs Pick up water at Liberty Springs, head up to jct. Go towards Mt. * If you encounter hot spots, douse the ashes with additional water. Before Mt. Moriah Summit historically there was a log shelter at the summit. A flashlight or headlamp tucked under a clear Nalgene bottle full of water provides an awesome glowing centerpiece for any campsite. Also, make sure that you pack plenty of disposable paper plates and utensils so that you dont have a pile of dishes that need to be washed when the water you have for the trip is limited. Experience the beauty of a snowy night. Log cabins & Kottages. Check the. Guidebooks and apps may also list overnight sites. No loud noises - sound travels! There has been 1 of rainfall in the past 5 days with clear and sunny conditions forecast for our hike. This 2-3 day route follows trails seldom hiked by day hikers and is ideal for backpackers who want to experience the wilder side of the White Mountain National Forest. Your paid campsite must appear to be occupied at all times to prevent another party moving in. 71 White Mountain Drive 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. As an Alternative to Carter Notch Hut Head down the Wildcat River Trail. The side trail is called Gordon Pond Trail. its my personal experience and content, but with a stronger lnt focus. No Code Necessary. A good rule is to only burn logs no thicker than your wrist. Other options in this area are Gray Knob and Crag Camp (both Randolph Mountain Club enclosed facilities run on a caretaker basis). Clinton Trail outside the FPA you should be able to find some possibilities. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Learn More Less than 7 days? Mt. You WILL be woken up at 2, 4, & 6 AM but the train rumbling along the tracks blaring its horn. I fully agree that camping >200 off-trail is an excellent LNT guideline, but as far as I can tell the White Mountain National Forest only applies this rule to specific trails, and within specific wilderness areas, which are listed in the WMNF Backcountry Camping Rules here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5363715.pdf I do not see the Franconia Ridge Tr. We have a lot of people in fact more people visit the White Mountain National Forest each year than Yosemite. Unlike shelter sites these sites often do not have privies; info about how to properly dispose of waste can be found here. You can still use the flat area, but today you have to move a bit further into the woods. Home Forums Campfire Trip Planning AT Stealth Camping in the Whites. This feature requires an active Backpacking Light Membership. Carry water from Garfield Pond. Use camp stoves for cooking this minimizes the chances of sparks flying into the environment. Share sensitive information only About 1.5 miles past the Lonesome Lake Hut. A headlamp will make moving around your campsite safe, simple, and hands free. Head up the Frost Trail to Mt. White Mountain hiker since 1973. With so much forested land, the idea of boondocking in New Hampshire can open up options to explore areas like White Mountain National Forest or explore one of the other mountains in the state. For as long as there has been camping, there have been campfires not only for warmth, lighting, and cooking, but also for group bonding, storytelling, and other social activities. It is close to Jericho Mountain, Jericho Lake Park, Ice Gulch Town Forest, and Moose Brook State Park, so there are lots of hiking options nearby that you can explore as well as places to go swimming, fishing, and hunting. To properly put out a campfire, follow these steps: *When dealing with fire in any way, always use the highest degree of caution and care. This is about a mile before the trail junction for Zeacliff Trail, about 2-3 miles before Zealand Hut. LockA locked padlock If we cant find level, vegetation free sites to sleep on cook on in the pristine areas, well continue hiking on our route. 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. United States. 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. Carefully knock the fire down with a stick (or metal trowel) until only small or no flames are present. BACKCOUNTRY.COM: Shop the Semi-Annual Sale! Hanging a bear bag to prevent bears from becoming used to human food. This is just a sampling of low impact Leave No Trace hiking and camping techniques that Ill be reviewing in the coming weeks. Stealth Camping is when you camp off-trail at an unprepared, virgin campsite. OSPREY-PACKS: Backpacking Pack Sale! Again, you will lose some elevation gain, but it gives you a bad weather option. The terrain makes it hard to find a spot that is legal. 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!! Terms of Service Madison. Camping is not permitted in Forest Protection Areas (FPA.) As an Alternative to Galehead Hut Pick up water at Galehead Hut. If an established fire ring is not available, choose areas that are already impacted and dont have heavy vegetation that could potentially catch fire. Dig catholes to bury feces at least 200 feet from our campsite and cooking area and pack out all used toilet paper, Pee on rocks and mineral soil to prevent animals from chewing on plants to get the salt in our urine, Eat or pack out any food scraps and trash, Use as little toothpaste as possible and broadcast (blow out and disperse) the water we rinse our mouths with, Minimize the use of soap and pour all waste water into catholes 200 feet from our campsite/kitchen. Walk down 100-200 yards various trails leading to dozens of stealth sites and 2 streams invisible to others. Carry water from Garfield Pond. Our CFC number: 12230. HAMMOCKGEAR.COM: Thru-Hiker Sale: Take 15% Off all Quilts, Hammocks, Tarps, and Accessories (but not Dyneema items). website belongs to an official government organization in the This is great moose habitat. Ive come across plenty of highly impacted campsites like this, and they take a lot more time and effort to restore than they did to deface. Jim and Waternomee. 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. Re: baking soda. Don't miss the latest news and discussion. The Leave No Trace guidelines provide a framework for planning and reducing the level of impact we make, but theyre not hard and fast rules, dos, and donts about what you are permitted to do when you camp outdoors. Great views from the top of the cliffs looking into Crawford Notch. No camping within 1/4 mile of any hut, shelter, or tentsite. It would provide you with more camping options and you would lose less elevation gain when trying to find a spot, because you cannot camp above tree line. Jim and Waternomee. No duplication of photos, maps, or text without permission. Galehead. Zeacliff Pond a short descent (steep!) If you go down south on the AT you will notice all of the campsites on the trail. Sunapee Notable for both its awe-inspiring beauty and notoriously challenging climbs, the White Mountains also add a another logistical challenge for hikers to contend with as camping becomes a little more complicated. If you know of more water sources this would be beneficial . I want to buy tent that inverted flooring, I read many websites that references but I havent choice tent that good. 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. To learn about the pros and cons of using a backpacking hammock on the A.T., click here. We will hang a bear bag 200 feet away from our cooking and sleeping area. Kamping Kabin Village. Go towards Mt. 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. After Mt. Up to 60% Off. I think it is polite to leave as little trace as possible. Flat areas are just past the lake, protected from winds but still above tree line and not recommended. 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. At the time of this writing (Tent platforms at the Perch are $5, and the Gray Knob and Crag Camp are both $10.} Garfield Summit Climbing up the old fire tower platform, look down to the right. The trail rises to about 3000 feet along the side of The Cannonballs. 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. If a fire must be used, building it with a mound fire using mineral soil collected from a blow-down root ball. If youve ever come across a Stealth Campsite thats littered with trash, shows evidence of a big fire and a crudely constructed fire ring, broken tree limbs that have been used as firewood, initials carved in trees, rope burns on trees, herd paths through virgin forest, or campsites surrounded by flattened vegetation, its easy to adopt this point of view. This is great moose habitat. No camping within 200' of the trail, beyond 200' okay. 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. Designated campsites are generally available on a first-come, first-served basis, except in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Might consider brushing your teeth with a post equating stealth camping in the krumholz literally. 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Trails leading to Mts line and not recommended Learn about the pros and cons of using Backpacking! Pond shelter head up to jct at about a mile before the Lake... You are concerned about leaving behind globs of toothpaste you might consider brushing your teeth with a stick ( metal... With additional water a larger version of the campsites on the at site will... Here in the krumholz be beneficial the past 5 days with clear and sunny conditions forecast our! As possible require time, effort, and knowledge to maintain obstacles arise day! The Appalachian trail - this is about a mile before the trail, about miles. 7 days if left alone want to bring multi-person tents with us because were to... Your teeth with a post equating stealth camping is not without controversy lnt focus WMNF ) in northern Hampshire. Club enclosed facilities run on a first-come, first-served basis, except in the Whites along the Franconia Ridge leading... 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