You're within shouting distance of the shelter so this is more like shelter overflow campsites. 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. In the alpine zone - where trees are 8 feet or less. Many people argue that Stealth Camping is bad because it violates the principles of Leave No Trace. Great views from the top of the cliffs looking into Crawford Notch. 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. Fishin' Jimmy Trail - This is on the AT about a mile before the Lonesome Lake Hut. Camping is not permitted in Forest Protection Areas (FPA.) In fact, Im not sure there are decent sites to camp there at all which is one of the key points of this scenario. 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. Here are a few more examples, coupled with the Leave No Trace principles they bolster. There are dozens more. Go towards the west side of the trail and there are some hardened spots. From RV campgrounds and full-service sites and river or mountain views, the White Mountains offers incredible variety for campers. Go towards Mt. Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. below treeline) But not in the following areas: 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. There are just too many people hiking down this section of trail to risk it. GARAGE-GROWN-GEAR: Take 30% Off the Gossamer Gear Silverback 65 backpack at Garage Grown Gear. OSPREY-PACKS: Backpacking Pack Sale! 302 A couple of hundred feet before the RR tracks a side trail leads to great camping along Avalanche Brook. This is just a sampling of low impact Leave No Trace hiking and camping techniques that Ill be reviewing in the coming weeks. Keep up-to-date with the latest alerts and conditions on the Appalachian Trail. 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. Kamping Kabin Village. This 2022 Travel Trailer co, Did you know that the Grand Teton mountains use to, Spring break is coming up soon and we think it can, Spring break doesn't have to be crowded or expensi, If you are new to RVing, you might be overwhelmed, The "Sunset" is a brand new 2021 Dodge Sprinter Va, Corporate and Festival Partnership Program. Thank you! This dispersed camping site is located in Jackson, which is on the western side of White Mountain National Forest. Dispersion matters. Water from creek. but carry water from streams as you climb up probably first .5m of ascent. 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. It can be hiked in 2-4 days. The reason you dont want to do it high up on a mountain is because it takes the vegetation you destroy even longer to regenerate since its covered with snow and ice from November-June and has a very short growing season. The biggest problem area for finding a site that will not incur you lots of elevation loss is between Mt. 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. ), Backcountry Camping Rules, White Mountain National Forest. Learn how the ATC stands up for the Trail and its surrounding landscape. 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. US Rt. Franconia Notch - Crossing at US 3 Franconia Notch Parkway - The AT goes under the road and then continues up to Liberty Springs Campsite. Alternative to Lakes of the Clouds Hut You could head down the Dry River Trail (south of Mt. above tree line (except on 2 of snow) Keep campfires small, and burn only small pieces of dead and downed wood gathered from the surrounding environment (leave the hatchets and axes at home). Copyright 2022 RVshare.com 2. Garmin inReach Mini 2 vs inReach Explorer+, Comparison of Five Ultralight Backpack Liners, Nitecore 10000 mAh USB Power Bank (5.9 oz), Feathered Friends Flicker 40 Quilt Sleeping Bag. Get Backpacking Light news, updates, gear info, skills, and commentary delivered into your inbox 1-2x/week. 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. Free Shipping and Returns. United States government. The same is true for the Wetland areas running along the Ethan Pond Trail, south of Whitewall Mountain. White Mountain 1 View 69 photos White Mountain National Forest Share Find a variety of hiking trails, camping experiences, and scenic views in this New England forest. Time to get on your booty and scoot for a bit. 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. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting. White Mountain hiker since 1973. Not recommended but I've camped here. Its unfortunate but common to find such sites right outside forest protection areas like the one directly adjacent at the liberty springs camp site. 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. Located on the western portion of the Forest, the District offers a variety of recreational opportunities. 200 Kancamagus Highway, PO Box 10 Using naturally colored shelters, such as grey, green, or brown, so other campers and hikers dont see them. Near Imp Campsite .5m before camp, when water pools appear, look left. Mounts Willey and Field are heavily visited during the summer and autumn, but the section of the A-Z trail where we plan to look for stealth sites is much less frequently traveled. In 1936 this was the shelter location for AT hikers. The restrictions are getting out of hand. Restrictions may include limits on camping use, use of wood or charcoal fires, and limits on party size. We expect that 5-10% of the area will be open and covered with forest duff that is suitable for camping on. About half a pound though. 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. Less than 7 days? This is about a mile before the trail junction for Zeacliff Trail, about 2-3 miles before Zealand Hut. Alternative to Lakes of the Clouds Hut You could head down the Dry River Trail (south of Mt. A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook. Dispersed camping opportunities are most abundant on the the A.T. in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia on US Forest Service lands. Hanging a bear bag to prevent bears from becoming used to human food. Dispersed Camping; Group Camping . 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. Up to 60% Off. New Hampshire is a great place to visit in the fall. Jim. Walk down 100-200 yards various trails leading to dozens of stealth sites and 2 streams invisible to others. Peeing on rocks instead of vegetation so that animals dont chew on the plants to get at the salt. Not recommended but I've camped here. With that being said, bringing drinking water that can be used for cooking is a good idea. We publish 5 new articles every week. This will give us plenty of time to scout the area and see if there are any good low impact sites to camp at. Recreational opportunities seem limitless: hiking, camping, hiking, biking, fishing, skiing (alpine, cross country, and backcountry), snowmobiling, snowshoeing and much more. With thousands of satisfied customers and a broad inventory ranging from travel trailers to luxury motorhomes, we have the perfect RV for any vacation, tailgate, or temporary lodging needs. Madison Adams Jefferson Washington Monroe Eisenhower Pierce Jackson The hut crew will instruct you to descend to the Valley Way tent site about 1 mile down to the North of the hut. Camping regulations vary considerably along the A.T. A table showing regulations pertaining to camping (and fires) along the A.T. listed from north to south can be found by clicking on the button below. 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 White Mountain National Forest - Hiking Hiking Choose from the following to find a site: Backpacking Day Hiking Discover A Rich History of Hiking Hiking opportunities abound on the Forest from easy strolls into the wooded environment to challenging climbs above treeline. Dispersed camping, which means campers have the freedom to select the location of their campsite, is allowed in some areas of the A.T. 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. 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. if campfires are permitted where you are camping. From RV campgrounds and full-service sites and river or mountain views, the White Mountains offers incredible variety for campers. (Click TWICE for a larger version of the map.) Madison Hut area - Just to the East is a small lake on side trail descending into Madison Gulf. The current shelter is over Garfield at Garfield Ridge Campsite, another 2 miles N on the AT. Lakes of the Clouds is kind in bad weather, but the Presidential Range is catch as catch can for. Pinkham Notch Follow creek downstream, when trail merges away look hard not heavily used. Just to the W along the Carter-Moriah Trail. As an Alternative to Galehead Hut Pick up water at Galehead Hut. We publish 5 new articles every week. Look for a freshwater spring on the NW side of the pond, a couple hundred feet from some established campsites. The White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) in northern New Hampshire covers nearly 800,000 acres-an area larger than Rhode Island. If you used a stick to stir the mixture, make sure its also cold. This is a pretty & dramatic area near the waterfalls. Digital Accessibility at RVshare, Last updated on June 23rd, 2022. The remainder of our route, after the junction of the A-Z Trail and the Ethan Pond Trail, is part of the Appalachian Trail and also heavily used. We will cook 200 feet away from our shelters at a separate clearing in the woods. Check the. 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. This historically was an emergency shelter area, lots of flat spots, windy, dry camping above tree line. 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. Stay safe, and walk far. Instead, well use: Hammocks, with canvas straps that wont cut into tree-bark. Experience the beauty of a snowy night. We use cookies to provide you with a great experience and to help our website run effectively. No Code Necessary. All three of these sites are shown on the NH-VT AT Maps. The distance between shelters and campsites varies significantly so it is important to always carry a map. Home Forums Campfire Trip Planning AT Stealth Camping in the Whites. Flat areas are just past the lake, protected from winds but still above tree line and not recommended. within 200 of trail. You can visit the Lakes Region of the state and enjoy swimming and fishing in Lake Winnipesaukee. Located north of the famous Presidentials and far from any of the traditional White Mountain tourist attractions, it sees comparatively little traffic. 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. Don't miss the latest news and discussion. 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. Moriah Summit historically there was a log shelter at the summit. This voluntary registration system helps you find the best places to stay overnight based on other groups plans. The terrain makes it hard to find a spot that is legal. Clinton and Mt. Philip Werner June 1, 2012 Leave No Trace. 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. Share sensitive information only A flashlight or headlamp tucked under a clear Nalgene bottle full of water provides an awesome glowing centerpiece for any campsite. White mountain camper since 1980. Appalachian Trail Forums. Take advantage of the vivid fall foliage, the warm summer air, and the cool spring temperatures by booking free camping in New Hampshire. Only use existing fire rings and keep camp fires small. How Much Should a Backpacking Tent Weigh? When camping in the backcountry - camping and fires are prohibited: Within 200 feet of trails and water bodies. Your paid campsite must appear to be occupied at all times to prevent another party moving in. Spacious pull-thru sites. Most campfire-based wildfires develop because the campfire was not completely extinguished. Can you give me opinions? Low Impact Stealth Camping at a Pristine Site in the White Mountains Stealth Camping - What is it? Zeacliff Pond a short descent (steep!) Well police the area to make sure we carry out any trash or human artifacts that would suggest someone had ever been there. In 1936 this was the shelter location for AT hikers. with Franconia Ridge Trail and Liberty Springs Trail. From I-93 South: Exit 27, right at end of ramp and take . 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. Avoid places that show the beginnings of frequent usethose still have a chance to recover if left alone. Originally published on June 2nd, 2021. Carry water from Garfield Pond. Garmin inReach Mini 2 vs inReach Explorer+, Comparison of Five Ultralight Backpack Liners, Nitecore 10000 mAh USB Power Bank (5.9 oz), Feathered Friends Flicker 40 Quilt Sleeping Bag. I generally choose an area between the two log bridges since the distance to the road is short after crossing the second log bridge. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media and analytics partners. At the time of this writing (Tent platforms at the Perch are $5, and the Gray Knob and Crag Camp are both $10.} 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. United States. Places to Avoid When Looking for Stealth Camping . As an Alternative to Mizpah Hut or Nauman Tent site Head down Mt. This is not often a large tank, so it may not be much, especially if you are traveling with a few people. Backpacking Light helps hikers and other backcountry enthusiasts overcome their barriers to living a life outside in Wild Places. Share sensitive information only Within 1/4 mile of backcountry facilities (shelters, huts). We will hang a bear bag 200 feet away from our cooking and sleeping area. I chew gum and then swap it with my SO. Give it a shot! Do you also breathe into a plastic bag to avoid contaminating the forest with dirty lowly human breath? From there is a steady descent to the Hut. The Alternate Site is a hideous, highly impacted stealth site that was overused by many campers who saw that others had camped there previously. If an established fire ring is not available, choose areas that are already impacted and dont have heavy vegetation that could potentially catch fire. This all seems very complicated, though with the number of people up there, I can see why you go to so much trouble. 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. All recordings are now online! Go towards the west side of the trail and there are some hardened spots. Backpacking hammocks can offer more flexibility in choosing a site and can be low-impact in areas where dispersed camping is allowed. Galehead. Dry camping. We have a lot of people in fact more people visit the White Mountain National Forest each year than Yosemite. 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. to the Pond from the AT. Webster/Top of Webster Cliff obvious sites available (2-5?) on that list, and its not in the Pemi Wilderness (its just outside, as far as maps indicate). Flat rock ledges can accommodate some tents. 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 There are flat camping spots that are past the shelter once you cross the brook. Overnight based on other groups plans ramp and Take impact Stealth camping in the Whites Forest each year than.! As you climb up probably first.5m of ascent was not completely extinguished tracks side. The East is a good idea newsletter and get the latest backpacking and hiking Gear reviews skill! To get at the salt that would suggest someone had ever been there.5m before camp when. Dispersed camping is not often a large tank, so it may not be much, especially if used... 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