Author |
Message |
allan86
Flatfoot
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 8:58 pm Posts: 1
|
thinking of hiking up signal ridge trail and camping out near fire observatory platform---any thoughts : 
|
Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:03 pm |
|
 |
scooter
Sovereign Woodsman
Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:11 am Posts: 2232 Location: candia nh
|
_________________ "Prism means never having to feel like no one ever listens to you" - Anonymous
|
Thu Jun 23, 2011 7:47 am |
|
 |
IQuest
Sovereign Woodsman
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:56 pm Posts: 1442 Location: Canaan, NH
|
The summit of Carragain is not within the Pemi Wilderness. The boundary is just a short distance down the Desolation Tr. About 1/4 mi before the summit alongthe Signal Ridge Tr there is a spring at the site of an old camp. There should be some level ground there. I believe that Signal Ridge I believe is an alpine zone, so unless there is two feet of snow, you can not camp there legally.
|
Thu Jun 23, 2011 10:05 am |
|
 |
bikehikeskifish
Sovereign Woodsman
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 8:40 pm Posts: 1943
|
There are "illegal" campsites just below the summit, off to the left as you are approaching. I have seen people camp there before, as well as signs of recent activity. I have also seen a ranger heading up there presumably to give the campers a slap on their wrists, or whatever it is rangers do to illegal campers.
Tim
_________________ Bike, Hike, Ski, Sleep, Eat, Fish, Repeat
|
Thu Jun 23, 2011 11:12 am |
|
 |
scooter
Sovereign Woodsman
Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:11 am Posts: 2232 Location: candia nh
|
_________________ "Prism means never having to feel like no one ever listens to you" - Anonymous
|
Thu Jun 23, 2011 11:25 am |
|
 |
IQuest
Sovereign Woodsman
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:56 pm Posts: 1442 Location: Canaan, NH
|
|
Thu Jun 23, 2011 11:49 am |
|
 |
IQuest
Sovereign Woodsman
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:56 pm Posts: 1442 Location: Canaan, NH
|
|
Thu Jun 23, 2011 11:52 am |
|
 |
bikehikeskifish
Sovereign Woodsman
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 8:40 pm Posts: 1943
|
Too close to the trail is reason enough, is it not? The Wilderness boundary is in the shadow of the tower, at the top of the Desolation Trail:
Tim
_________________ Bike, Hike, Ski, Sleep, Eat, Fish, Repeat
|
Thu Jun 23, 2011 12:16 pm |
|
 |
IQuest
Sovereign Woodsman
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:56 pm Posts: 1442 Location: Canaan, NH
|
Yes, too close to the trail is reason enough. What is the rule, 200 feet? IMO it should be at least out of sight from the trail.
|
Thu Jun 23, 2011 12:48 pm |
|
 |
Walrus
Mountain Maestro
Joined: Tue Feb 02, 2010 11:22 pm Posts: 485
|
|
Fri Jun 24, 2011 4:12 am |
|
 |
bikehikeskifish
Sovereign Woodsman
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 8:40 pm Posts: 1943
|
From http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_m ... 008-09.pdf:
TRAVEL AND CAMP ON DURABLE SURFACES Stay on the trail while hiking. Camp at sites which have already been heavily impacted, (but be sure it’s a legal site); or 200’ from trails and water sources. Avoid moderately impacted sites where your visit could create more damage.
I think the interpretation (mine) has always been "just because the site is impacted doesn't make it legal. Impacted sites closer than 200 feet from the trail were illegal to start with and may be illegal still." The spots in question are not 200' from the trail.
Since I am not a camper/backpacker, I'm not certain.
Tim
_________________ Bike, Hike, Ski, Sleep, Eat, Fish, Repeat
|
Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:20 am |
|
 |
JustJoe
Hiking Forums Are My Crack
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 9:39 am Posts: 5664 Location: Not Mass 8)
|
I had a conversation with a ranger about sites like this which I stumbled across while looking for a stealth site. It is in a wilderness area and met all distance requirements. But as you can clearly see does not meet the "leave no trace".
He said they have 2 schools of thoughts on these sites. This one is obviously heavily used and may clearly be lessening the impact of other spots in the area. So maybe it's best just to leave it so it will continue to minimize impact to other ares. And just to cover his butt, he could not say that it was legal in the respects of leaving a trace. I did describe the site but did not tell him where it was. He did not ask either. 
_________________ Adventure is not a race. - Unknown
|
Fri Jun 24, 2011 9:12 am |
|
 |
Walrus
Mountain Maestro
Joined: Tue Feb 02, 2010 11:22 pm Posts: 485
|
[quote="bikehikeskifish"]
I think the interpretation (mine) has always been "just because the site is impacted doesn't make it legal. Impacted sites closer than 200 feet from the trail were illegal to start with and may be illegal still." [/quote
The 200 foot rule is not universal. It only applies to the Pemi, Dry River, and GG Wilderness areas, a few bodies of water, and a handful of trails(other places like water, trailheads, shelters, and roads can have a quarter mile rule though)
more recent regs http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_m ... es_web.pdf
|
Fri Jun 24, 2011 10:01 am |
|
 |
Granite Guy
Hiking Forums Are My Crack
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2010 8:37 pm Posts: 7137 Location: Exeter, NH
|
I didn't realize that they had changed the regs either. Might come in handy to know at some point.
Without knowing where Joes mystery site is it could still be legal. I don't even know if LNT was ever actually a rule/law or just an ethics guideline. I always thought it was the latter.
|
Fri Jun 24, 2011 11:15 am |
|
 |
scooter
Sovereign Woodsman
Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:11 am Posts: 2232 Location: candia nh
|
_________________ "Prism means never having to feel like no one ever listens to you" - Anonymous
Last edited by scooter on Fri Jun 24, 2011 12:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
|
Fri Jun 24, 2011 11:24 am |
|
|