View Full Version : Practice overnight hike in NH
I'm trying to get in a few good practice hikes before starting my SOBO in June. Are there any good spots in NH where I can go, park the car, hike out 10-20 miles, camp for the night, and then in the morning pack up and head back to the car? I've looked up hiking trails in the area, but are you allowed to just camp off the trail anywhere? And I've looked up camping areas but I haven't found one with trails nearby.
Any ideas?
"ME & U"
04-06-2005, 16:05
Yaman! Pick a spot and go for it. I've hiked tons in the NH region and have never had any probs. I'd recomend any spot along the AT cuz the parking is cool. I have had probs in VT, both with vandalism and coppers but I guess that can come from anywhere.
Got issues with hitting the AT before your hike? If not, check out Mt Moosilaki. It's a good hike with spots to stetch your wings and live a little.
Also, try the Mahoosuc Notch area. About the best spot on the AT if you ask "ME".
The Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway runs about 50 miles from Monadnock to Sunapee, has two shelters and several tent platforms along the way, and a nice guidebook/map. The Wapack Trail runs about 21 miles from North Pack to Rte 119 in Ashburnham MA. There is a shelter halfway but you need permission to use it (belongs to CC Ski place). See the Wapack Trail Guide for info.
Central NH on up you will need snowshoes unless you are on well-traveled trail, and even then are likely to posthole. Don't know about western NH, but At from Hanvover east might be snow free, though perhaps muddy. Or Hanover west through VT.
CHech out the Southern NH editon of WHite Mountain Guide for southern NH trails.
As mentioned, the Wapac trail is good in Southern NH. Also the Monadnock Sunapee Greenway.
Or you could buy the White Mountain Guide and go almost anywhere in the White Mountains. Or get the 50 hikes in New Hampshire and look at some of their hikes. In short, endless possiblities.
Tramper Al
04-06-2005, 19:21
I agree. There are numerous routes you could take in the White Moutains. Any map will show you locations of sheters and campsites - is this your intended style for the AT? Most places too you can just camp - keeping in mind regs about distance from trail etc. If you want to stay off the AT for this practice run (as I would), the area around Evans Notch on the NH/ME border would be ideal for an out and back trip as you describe. If you want a thru-trail, in addition to the MSG and Wapack, I would suggest the northern 2/3 of the Long Trail in Vermont. They don't get to much more rugged than that.
Good luck and have fun!
randoark
04-07-2005, 09:37
What are the regulations for camping in NH?
Alright folks, thanks for the suggestions. I would prefer to stay off the AT until the time comes. I think it will be better that way. "Intended style" for the AT is to bring a tent and use it most nights, so I'm not always stuck at a shelter.
I found some regulations here: http://www.appalachiantrail.org/hike/trail/nh_regs.html
that say, for instance, you can't camp within 1/4 mile of huts/trailheads in the White Mountain National Forest, but does that mean that for places not in the WMNF there are no such regulations?
Tramper Al
04-07-2005, 12:33
Pabo,
The link you provided also lists further down:
"Camping and fires in other areas must be at least 200 feet from the Trail itself."
This is going to be your basic rule, as you are not going to want to camp 0.25 miles from a hut/campsite or trailhead anyway, right?
Take a good look at the regs, as there are just a couple of other excuded areas.
Edit: Thanks Chomp for the 'Wilderness' clarification!
Now, 'places not in the WMNF'? What does that leave, private land and state parks? In my opinion, the vast majority of the great backpacking terrain in NH is within the WMNF, and this a good thing.
The regulations are very easy to follow, and designed to minimize impact in higher traffic areas.
As you are looking to be off-AT for this, I would again suggest the Evan's Notch (http://www.terraserver-usa.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=15&Z=19&X=52&Y=764&W=3&qs=%7cmadison%7cnh%7c) area, which is all East of Pinkham Notch, Wildcats, Carters, and AT. Also, look at the Pilot Range (http://www.terraserver-usa.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=15&Z=19&X=49&Y=770&W=3&qs=%7cmadison%7cnh%7c), north of the Presidentials. You could put together any number of fine loops in these places, or a great out and back if you prefer.
Have fun!
Pabo,
The link you provided also lists further down:
"Camping and fires in other areas must be at least 200 feet from the Trail itself."
Actually, this rule is for Wilderness sections only. There are some campsites right along the trail (tho not many) that are legal. If you are in a Wilderness area, you basically have to be out of sight. If you are within 1/4 mile of a campsite or hut, you have to be out of site. But otherwise you can camp right along the trail.
Outside of the White Mountain National Forest, many trails are on private land. So, camping is restricted. For example, the only place to camp on the Wapak Trail is a Windblown Ski Area, and you pay a modest fee for it.
Thanks for the recommendations, guys. We ended up going out to Bear Brook State Park yesterday. There are some trails out there, but the official campgrounds arent open yet. That didnt stop us from going out for a nice 10 mile hike or so and then setting up camp. I think next time we will check out the Wapack area you guys have been talking about.