View Full Version : Tent sites north of Walnut Mtn shelter?
Planning a hike from Max Patch to Hot Springs. Starting at Max Patch Rd at about noon on the first day, and we may want to go further than Walnut Mtn Shelter for the first nites camp. Are there any areas flat enough for tent camping north of the shelter. It looks like Kale Gap may be a possibility.
barefoot
04-03-2006, 12:05
I was on Walnut Mtn several weeks ago do some dayhiking. I am leading a church youth group from Davenport Gap to Hot Springs in June and had heard about some spots near the shelter. I was surprised when I got to the top and the mountain has been clear cut destroying the campsites that had been mentioned on this site. I read that in the 1800's that the mountain was used for argiculture and they were restoring it back. I talked to an rafting outfitter in Hot Springs that also leds backpacking trips. He suggested going to Catpen Gap. He said there is a large open field about 100 yards east of the trail.
eArThworm
04-03-2006, 12:54
...outfitter in Hot Springs that also leds backpacking trips. He suggested going to Catpen Gap. He said there is a large open field about 100 yards east of the trail.
I tented there a few years back and set up in the trees between the trail and the field. If you go STRAIGHT across the field & ascend up a road you come to a place with a nice view and camping space. But I'm guessing it's 0.2-0.3 mi. off the trail. The USFS road to the LEFT of the field goes right to Lemon Gap and left to Garenflo Gap.
I am taking a first time backpacking couple and would like to have a place with nice view. It sounds like with the clearcutting that Walnut Mtn shelter is not the typical looking campsite right now. Think I will press on to the meadow.