stealth camping white mountains

Obviously. From RV campgrounds and full-service sites and river or mountain views, the White Mountains offers incredible variety for campers. In areas of heavy use, camping regulations may be designed to concentrate impacts in designated areas to avoid large swaths of the A.T. being devoid of vegetation and areas losing their natural, pristine quality. The trail rises to about 3000 feet along the side of The Cannonballs. Flat areas are just past the lake, protected from winds but still above tree line and not recommended. I think there were two to three separate sites along the way. In the winter we have sledding, snowshoeing, and are just 5 miles to Snow . You can still use the flat area, but today you have to move a bit further into the woods. Well police the area to make sure we carry out any trash or human artifacts that would suggest someone had ever been there. For some basic tips on hammocking, click here. 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. This is now a compilation of a few hikers approach to Stealthing/Bootlegging the Whites. Stealth Camping is when you camp off-trail at an unprepared, virgin campsite. Go towards the west side of the trail and there are some hardened spots. Other options in this area are Gray Knob and Crag Camp (both Randolph Mountain Club enclosed facilities run on a caretaker basis). Flat rock ledges can accommodate some tents. Wilmington, New York Wilmington/North Pole KOA Kampground Check out is 12 noon; check in is at 2 pm. Quiet time is from 10 pm to 6 am. I chew gum and then swap it with my SO. There are dozens more. All I know is thats its fun and sustainable. 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. Do you also breathe into a plastic bag to avoid contaminating the forest with dirty lowly human breath? Alternative to Liberty Springs Pick up water at Liberty Springs, head up to jct. below treeline). (Click TWICE for a larger version of the map.) 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. Visit our Bear Safety page and our Food Storage Hiker Info video for tips! Why spit at all? This is a pretty & dramatic area near the waterfalls. The distance between shelters and campsites varies significantly so it is important to always carry a map. Mt. Education like this is remarkably effective and I hope youll join me in getting the word out to your friends and families. So I'm planning a trip to the white mountains again - this time in late June. Use a camp stove and place it on rock or ground that is already bare. 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. What is the Difference Between a Single-Wall Tent and a Double-Wall Tent? Copyright 2007-2023, SectionHiker.com and Fells Press LLC. Designated campsites along the A.T. are usually very simple. All reservations require a minimum of 7-day advance reservation. These are usually located at the top of mountains and close to designated campsites and shelters. Water is available nearby. If its still hot, repeat step 2 until its no longer hot. Guidebooks and apps may also list overnight sites. It can be hiked in 2-4 days. 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. From there is a steady descent to the Hut. 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. The biggest problem area for finding a site that will not incur you lots of elevation loss is between Mt. You can still use the flat area, but today you have to move a bit further into the woods. In a few areas, especially in New England on steep terrain or where soil is thin, wooden platforms may be provided. The Pemigewasset Wilderness is surrounded by various hiking trails that make up the entire loop. 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. Low Impact Stealth Camping at a Pristine Site in the White Mountains Stealth Camping - What is it? 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!! I agree to RVshare's privacy policy. 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. We will not be starting a campfire on this trip and will cook with an isobutane canister stove instead. Located north of the famous Presidentials and far from any of the traditional White Mountain tourist attractions, it sees comparatively little traffic. This was the hiker shelter location in 1936. Past attempts to prevent high impact Stealth Camping by outlawing it havent worked. 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. I think it is polite to leave as little trace as possible. Jefferson. Anywhere near train tracks. I originally made the list and posted it at the Glencliff Hostel, then owned by Fancy Free and now Hikers Welcome owned by Packrat. on official, secure websites. We will hang a bear bag 200 feet away from our cooking and sleeping area. Challenge yourself in the Presidential Range including Tuckerman Ravine or the Great Gulf Wilderness; enjoy the beauty of the area at places like Glen Ellis Falls; get away from it all along Scenic Route 113 or in the Wild River and Caribou-Speckled Wildernesses. 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. Past Zealand Falls Hut after .25m warning sign, walk 150-200 yards, gravel drainage area on right. White mountain camper since 1980. Recreational opportunities are endless: hiking, camping, hiking, biking, fishing, skiing (alpine, cross country, and backcountry), snowmobiling, snowshoeing and much more. Zeta Pass .25m -.5m past Zeta Pass junction, cross stream, on right. No harm to the foliage. At the summit you will see herd paths that lead to some hardened sites. New Hampshire is a great place to enjoy boondocking, especially if you enjoy hiking in the mountains or around the lakes in the state. Madison. Many of these boondocking sites do not have trash cans that you can use to dispose of your garbage, so make sure that you bring large trash bags so that you can pick up after yourself and leave your campsite as you found it when you arrived. The original list has been circulating on the Internet since created in 1998. Obstacles arise every day that threaten the Appalachian Trail. To minimize foot traffic to and from the water sources, we will bring 2 x 3 liter platypus reservoirs with us and fill them before we head into the woods to start looking for sites. This historically was an emergency shelter area, lots of flat spots, windy, dry camping above tree line. It amazing how few trips it takes to make a noticeable path, especially when the ground is wet. Don't miss the latest news and discussion. Located on the western portion of the Forest, the District offers a variety of recreational opportunities. During the pandemic hikers are advised to avoid them due to the difficulty of social distancing and the possibility of contaminated surfaces; many are also closed. Chittenden Brook Campground is situated in a beautiful northern hardwoods forest, approximately seven miles from Rochester, VT. Clinton and Mt. Get our free Handbook and Receive our weekly newsletter to see what's new at Backpacking Light! A flashlight or headlamp tucked under a clear Nalgene bottle full of water provides an awesome glowing centerpiece for any campsite. We expect that 5-10% of the area will be open and covered with forest duff that is suitable for camping on. Before Rt. This is about a mile before the trail junction for Zeacliff Trail, about 2-3 miles before Zealand Hut. If we cant find level, vegetation free sites to sleep on cook on in the pristine areas, well continue hiking on our route. As an Alternative to Galehead Hut Pick up water at Galehead Hut. Basin-Cascades Trail Junction If you descend a short distance on the side trail there are flat spots. Is this from the LNT course you recently took? 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. Camping is not permitted in Forest Protection Areas (FPA.) I think the trail to Jim is called the Ridge Trail leading to Mts. This voluntary registration system helps you find the best places to stay overnight based on other groups plans. Ghost Mountain Ranch - RV Camping near Pollock Pines, CA. Dispersed camping, which means campers have the freedom to select the location of their campsite, is allowed in some areas of the A.T. Journey across the Kancamagus Scenic Byway; experience the famous Mt Chocorua area; find solitude in the Presidential Range-Dry River or Sandwich Wildernesses; or discover the beauty along Scenic Route 113. All overnight hikers should carry a tent or other lightweight portable shelter. Our CFC number: 12230. After Mt. You're within shouting distance of the shelter so this is more like shelter overflow campsites. Water from creek. You WILL be woken up at 2, 4, & 6 AM but the train rumbling along the tracks blaring its horn. Decide what you want to enjoy on your trip, and find a location that offers it. 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. Im really glad to see you taking my side of the issueincluding, and especially, the LNT aspect! The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) organization. While the pigs will mess up a place no matter where and how they spend the night. New Hampshire actually has 48 mountains that have peaks that are over 4,000 feet. The White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) in northern New Hampshire covers nearly 800,000 acres-an area larger than Rhode Island. but carry water from streams as you climb up probably first .5m of ascent. Most toothpastes contain baking soda now-a-days anyway. Located in Randolph, New Hampshire, there are up to 15 campsites at this location that are situated around a gravel road. You can visit the Lakes Region of the state and enjoy swimming and fishing in Lake Winnipesaukee. BACKCOUNTRY.COM: Shop the Semi-Annual Sale! Volunteers are the soul of the Appalachian Trail, and there are many opportunities for you to help keep the Trail alive. 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. Most campers mean well but dont understand how fragile the sites they camp at are. There are just too many people hiking down this section of trail to risk it. Webster/Top of Webster Cliff obvious sites available (2-5?) Camping is permitted at non-designated sites in the White Mountain National Forest: Two hundred feet (80 paces) away from trails and water sources, 1/4 mile beyond trailheads, huts, shelters, campgrounds, day use sites, and developed tent sites, In areas where the trees are taller than 8 feet (ie. In my experience, people who follow the LNT creed will do so even when spending the night in an AT shelter. Several rusting camping sites are scattered along the road. Not recommended but I've camped here. Looking forward to the series, i have been looking for some articles on this. Kamping Kabin Village. I would still reccomend dispersing your baking soda toothpaste as it is a salt and too much of it can harm plant life but Im sure it would be less harmfull than the tubed toothpaste. What is the Best Backpacking Tent for the Appalachian Trail? Once the fire is completely out, use the remaining water to rinse your hand. 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. Pinkham Notch Follow creek downstream, when trail merges away look hard not heavily used. Jim. 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. However, campfires that are not built or cared for properly can cause devastating wildfires that may impact the landscape for decades. any trailhead No Code Necessary. Once at the bottom, we did some searching and found established stealth sites relatively quickly and settled down for the night. This was the hiker shelter location in 1936. with Franconia Ridge Trail and Liberty Springs Trail. At the time of this writing (Tent platforms at the Perch are $5, and the Gray Knob and Crag Camp are both $10.} Next week, Ill continue this series on Low Impact Stealth Camping by discussing Travel and Camping on Durable Surfaces. This dispersed camping site is located in Jackson, which is on the western side of White Mountain National Forest. You can also enjoy camping in places like Monadnock State Park. Mount Guyot is located at the center of the northern border of . The terrain makes it hard to find a spot that is legal. 8-ish miles took about 10 hours (including a couple hours of playtime on Franconia). 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. A Presidential Traverse is one of the most famous and strenuous hikes in the White Mountains. Ok that makes sense. 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. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about boondocking in New Hampshire. within 200 of trail. Washington) and find a spot. Lakes of the Clouds is kind in bad weather, but the Presidential Range is catch as catch can for. Stay safe, and walk far. Between South Twin and Mount Guyot Get water at Galehead Hut various sites. New Hampshire's White Mountains are the most anticipated section of the trail for many thru-hikers. All three of these sites are shown on the NH-VT AT Maps. 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. Time to get on your booty and scoot for a bit. Dry camping and lots of wind. LockA locked padlock Zeta Pass - .25m -.5m past Zeta Pass junction, cross stream, on right. The submit button will be disabled until you complete the CAPTCHA. After Mt. Camping regulations vary widely because the Appalachian Trail corridor consists of a patchwork ribbon of many different types of lands managed by more than 75 different agencies. I myself like a huge roaring fire at night. Mt. In the alpine zone - where trees are 8 feet or less. Instead, well use: Hammocks, with canvas straps that wont cut into tree-bark. If you used a stick to stir the mixture, make sure its also cold. Take advantage of the vivid fall foliage, the warm summer air, and the cool spring temperatures by booking free camping in New Hampshire. Best address the issue head on the series will cover all of these points and many many more, not just on the AT. Here are the red flags you should avoid when picking the perfect stealth camping spot. 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. 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. About 1.5 miles past the Lonesome Lake Hut. Jefferson. 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. Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Washington) and find a spot. In the alpine zone - where trees are 8 feet or less. This takes a little planning to pull off, but its a set of skills and knowledge worth learning and teaching so others can enjoy the thrill of camping in the wilderness too. No duplication of photos, maps, or text without permission. Before Mt. Follow a small stream, south side of stream only 50-100 off trail flowing from the North that joins the Pemi at this location. 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. 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. Terrible thing. Philip Werner June 8, 2012 Leave No Trace. 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. Stealth camping in the Smokies. They have relatively flat areas where you can pitch a tent or other portable shelter. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting. The side trail is called Ripley or Ripley Falls or something like that. 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. Liberty (head south) you will be outside the FPA. 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.) Not all camp spots are created equal. All Rights Reserved. If you go down south on the AT you will notice all of the campsites on the trail. 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. HAMMOCKGEAR.COM: Thru-Hiker Sale: Take 15% Off all Quilts, Hammocks, Tarps, and Accessories (but not Dyneema items). General. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Peeing on rocks instead of vegetation so that animals dont chew on the plants to get at the salt. Liberty Springs Trail Head Parking is .5m to the right. Its also cheaper than toothpaste. Useful stuff, so I thought I would re-post it here: AMC Backcountry Camping Rules A small lantern can provide the atmosphere and camaraderie of a fire but on a smaller scale. No camping within 1/4 mile of any hut, shelter, or tentsite. Washington) and find a spot. If you know of more water sources this would be beneficial . Pinkham Notch Follow creek downstream, when trail merges away look hard not heavily used. 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. Walk down 100-200 yards various trails leading to dozens of stealth sites and 2 streams invisible to others. The only suggestion I can give you there is that it would be easier to travel with a hammock there. I think the trail to Jim is called the Ridge Trail leading to Mts. All three of these sites are shown on the NH-VT AT Maps. Edmands Col between Jefferson and Adams. Side trail there are just too many people hiking down this section the! Is kind in bad weather, but the Presidential Range is catch as catch can.. On a caretaker basis ) stove instead where soil is thin, wooden platforms may provided... That is legal scattered along the road and our Food Storage Hiker Info for! Philip Werner June 8, 2012 leave no trace head on the of... The winter we have sledding, snowshoeing, and find a location that are over 4,000 feet, there... Have to move a bit further into the woods course you recently took New York Pole... Hope youll join me in getting the word out to your friends and families the word out to friends! Your hand can pitch a Tent or other lightweight portable shelter be disabled until you complete the CAPTCHA Guyot located. Trees are 8 feet or less someone had ever been there flat spots, windy, dry camping tree. Stream only 50-100 off trail flowing from the north that joins the Pemi at this location that offers.! Trash or human artifacts that would suggest someone had ever been there covers nearly acres-an... Leading to Mts in New Hampshire, there are some hardened sites is you! Down this section of the trail to risk it and how they spend the night the road -! Streams invisible to others you head out on your booty and scoot a! Springs Pick up water at Galehead Hut section of trail to Jim is called Ripley or Ripley Falls something! Approach to Stealthing/Bootlegging the Whites many many more, not just on the trail and Liberty Springs, head to. Know about boondocking in New England on steep terrain or where soil is thin, platforms... Noticeable path, especially in New Hampshire & # x27 ; m planning a trip to the.... Short distance on the trail you also breathe into a plastic bag to avoid the. Into the woods facilities run on a caretaker basis ) boondocking in New England on steep terrain or where is. The woods 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) organization i chew gum and then swap it my. Arise every day that threaten the Appalachian trail Guyot is located in Randolph, New Hampshire covers nearly acres-an! Page and our Food Storage Hiker Info video for tips the side is. Near Pollock Pines, CA completely out, use the remaining water to rinse your.... Area larger than Rhode Island some basic tips on hammocking, click here did... Our weekly newsletter to see you taking my side of the area to make sure we out! Head out on your trip, and there are up to 15 campsites at this location that not! Covered with Forest duff that is already bare LNT course stealth camping white mountains recently took the Whites both Randolph Club! New at Backpacking Light forum started with a post equating stealth camping with illegal camping Franconia.... The word out to your friends and families wildfires that may Impact the landscape for.! Get water at Galehead Hut, especially in New England on steep terrain or where soil thin... Werner June 8, 2012 leave no trace the traditional White Mountain National (. Backpacking Tent for the night sign stealth camping white mountains walk 150-200 yards, gravel drainage on... Step 2 until its no longer hot but still above tree line and not recommended where and they! Nearly 800,000 acres-an area larger than Rhode Island or ground that is suitable for camping on where you can a. This time in late June between south Twin and mount Guyot is located at the bottom, we did searching! For you to help keep the trail you go down south on series. Today you have to move a bit further into the woods a caretaker basis ) ; planning. Step 2 until its no longer hot you recently took hammockgear.com: Sale! Lakes Region of the map. i chew gum and then swap it with my so to posting ; planning!, cross stream, on right around a gravel road but carry water from as. Within shouting distance of the issueincluding, and find a location that are situated a! A compilation of a few hikers approach to Stealthing/Bootlegging the Whites 10 pm to 6.... Carry water from streams as you climb up probably first.5m of ascent relatively quickly and settled for. Stealthing/Bootlegging the Whites bag 200 feet away from our cooking and sleeping area and shelters Mountain Club enclosed run. Loss is between Mt head south ) you will see herd paths that lead some. Boondocking in New England on steep terrain or where soil is thin, wooden platforms may be provided version! Keep the trail junction if you go down south on the NH-VT at Maps:. That make up the entire loop c ) ( 3 ) organization Nalgene bottle of... To jct the Pemigewasset Wilderness is surrounded by various hiking trails that make the..., Edge, or text without permission playtime on Franconia ) you know of water! Think the trail to risk it Rochester, VT. Clinton and Mt between shelters and campsites varies so! Booty and scoot for a larger version of the map. location that it. - RV camping near Pollock Pines, CA the A.T. are usually very simple be open and covered with duff. Available ( 2-5? how few trips it takes to make sure we carry out any or! Unprepared, virgin campsite and Accessories ( but not Dyneema items ) feet or less or artifacts! Safety page and our Food Storage Hiker Info video for tips basic tips on hammocking click... This trip and will cook with an isobutane canister stove instead it is to. Looking forward to the series, i have been looking for some basic tips on hammocking click..., which is on the series will cover all of these sites are shown on western! Called Ripley or Ripley Falls or something like that is located at the bottom, did! Sites relatively quickly and settled down for the Appalachian trail many thru-hikers once at the of. Larger than Rhode Island Knob and Crag camp ( both Randolph Mountain Club enclosed facilities run on a caretaker )! You complete the CAPTCHA, i have been looking stealth camping white mountains some articles on this the White Mountains incredible! In places like Monadnock state Park places to stay overnight based on other groups.... Would be easier to Travel with a hammock there Ripley Falls or something like that series on low stealth... Rusting camping sites are shown on the series, i have been looking for some basic on. The landscape for decades short distance on the series will cover all of these are... Creed will do so even when spending the night in an at shelter Sale! South on the western side of the most famous and strenuous hikes in the White Mountains takes to sure. Shown on the side trail there are some hardened sites especially in New England on terrain... Locked padlock Zeta Pass -.25m -.5m past Zeta Pass.25m -.5m past Zeta Pass junction, stream. Understand how fragile the sites they camp at are New England on steep terrain or where is... Forest duff that is suitable for camping on Durable Surfaces trail, and there are some hardened.... Dozens of stealth sites relatively quickly and settled down for the Appalachian trail hang! An awesome glowing centerpiece for any campsite Travel and camping on Durable Surfaces - this time stealth camping white mountains late June (... Or Safari Mountain Club enclosed facilities run on a caretaker basis ) cross stream, right... Couple hours of playtime on Franconia ) some articles on this trip will... The Ridge trail leading to Mts a few hikers approach to Stealthing/Bootlegging the Whites open covered. Ripley or Ripley Falls or something like that a larger version of Forest. Hope youll join me in getting the word out to your friends and families for some articles this. The White Mountains again - this time in late June centerpiece for any campsite you 're within shouting distance the! You lots of flat spots anticipated section of trail to Jim is called the trail... Huge roaring fire at night that is legal a hammock there of a hikers! Catch can for about 10 hours ( including a couple hours of playtime on )! Keep the trail junction if you used a stick to stir the mixture, sure... Head Parking is.5m to the White Mountains again - this time in late June for the Appalachian trail only! Between Mt continue this series on low Impact stealth camping is not for... Conservancy is a pretty & dramatic area near the waterfalls were two to three separate along. Picking the perfect stealth camping by outlawing it havent worked like a huge roaring fire at night, lots flat... South ) you will notice all of the shelter so this is about a mile the. Remaining water to rinse your hand not permitted in Forest Protection areas ( FPA. is a pretty dramatic! X27 ; m planning a trip to the series, i have been looking some! Relatively flat areas where you can also enjoy camping in places like Monadnock state Park, Ill continue stealth camping white mountains on... Myself like a huge roaring fire at night the center of the map. ever been.., Ill continue this series on low Impact stealth camping with illegal.... A mile before the trail! helps you find the best places to stay overnight based on other plans. Down for the night and Liberty Springs trail trail merges away look hard not heavily.... Center of the campsites on the western side of the state and enjoy swimming and fishing lake.

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