Need Campsite suggestions on Pemigewassett Loop/Mt Lafayette, NH

[Curtis B.]

Folks,
A group of 6-8 of us are headed around the Pemigewassett Loop in New Hampshire during the last weekend of July and I'm trying to find a campsite near the AMC Greenleaf Hut near Mt. Lafayette that doesn't add too many miles onto an already full day. I'd rather not spend $92 per person for a bunk at the hut.

Does anyone know of a place to (legally) tent/hammock camp nearby? The hut itself looks to be on fairly rocky terrain and doesn't mention tent platforms in their accommodations.

Thanks!

[John Whynot]

There are no tent platforms at Greenleaf, it is very close to treeline near the hut, plus you can't camp within .25 mile of the hut.

I think once you drop down off the ridge, and head toward Garfield there may be places to camp. If you are going the other direction, there is always Liberty Springs.

[Curtis B.]

We will have passed Liberty Springs-hoping to get a few more miles and make it a 12 mile day, but hoping not to have to add the extra 3 miles by going clear to Garfield.

Day 1: Starting at Lincoln Woods, hiking 11.6 miles to Greenleaf Hut area/Mt Lafayette
Day 2: Guyot campsite, Mt Guyot (14.9 miles!)
Day 3: Back to Lincoln Woods (12.2 miles)

Aggressive, but hopefully manageable.

[jim bailey]

Hi Curtis,
There really are very few spots to camp legally between Liberty springs and the hut, your last water source will be at Liberty Springs before hitting Franconia Ridge so keep that in mind if you plan to stealth camp up there. Can only think of 1 site off trail that would be large enough for a group about a mile up the trail from Liberty, but pretty questionable about it being legit. There is a pond below Garfield, not sure if there is any campsites large enough for your group. Big push from Lincoln Woods to Garfield, would definitely get an early start on that, weekends sites up there fill up quick.

Would consider going in the opposite direction with Guyout your first night then head towards Liberty your second night, will give you better options in case of bad weather coming in or your group is not making the miles you hoped for, you will have Garfield site with the option of getting back too your car or camping second night at 13 Falls then Wilderness Trail back to Lincoln Woods on your last day.

Hope this helps & have a great trip
Jim

[Frank Deland]

There is a AT shelter (Garfield Ridge Shelter. see link below) between Lafayette and Galehead just below Mt. Garfield. Do not underestimate the hike over to Garfield from Lafayette. It drops down a ways, then back up. It is possible to stealth camp south of Garfield, but youwill have to fit into small places! With that large a group you night consider stealth camping down along a side trail that leads up to Garfield from the north, getting water near the shelter first. The water for the shelter is right next to the AT just as the path to the shelter leaves the AT. Convenient if you are hiking passed.

Another option is to drop down to the 13 Falls campsite. There would plenty of room to camp there and a great water source. (the 13 falls are mini falls over a large rock!) Tent platforms, and level ground near there, too. This will add some down/up mileage.

You could find good camping spots down the Skookumchuck Trail, but you would have to lug water from Greenleaf Hut. Check for stream crossings on the Skookumchuck Trail map. Maybe there is one closer (I do not remember). But, that trail does get into woods fairly soon off the ridge. (Good way to escape bad weather on the ridge) There is a spring along the trail between the Greenleaf Hut and the summit of Lafayette.

Guyot (the Bonds) first suggestion is a good one. There are tent platforms there alongside the Guyot hut and an overflow tentsite.

That gives you an option to shorten the hike, too, by hiking out to the Lafayette Campground by a variety of trail options (Falling Waters Trail.or the Old Bridle Path via the Greenleaf Hut) by car Lafayette Campground is not too far from Lincoln Woods if you can leave a car at both places before starting your hike.

Lots of views along the loop!

Trail( AT) from Garfield Hut to So. Twin is one steep mile! No turns.

http://hikethewhites.com/g_ridge_shelter.html

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