Ethan Pond Trail question

[sapblatt]

I have never hiked this trail, but plan to use it as part of a possible backpack in the near future. I will most likely camp at the Ethan Pond tentsites/shelter, but I cannot help wondering - are there reasonable spots to camp further up the trail towards the Twinway - near Whitewall Mountain? I know this trail is not that tough after you pass the Willey Range Trail, but I would like the idea of being further along to start the second day...is it so quick from the shelter to the Twinway that it is not worth doing this backcountry idea?
Any thoughts/ideas are appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Hillwalker]

Spot

There are several legal campsites located about a quarter mile before you get to the AT hard left turn to go up to Zealand Falls Hut. They are on your left down toward Whitewall Brook after you get through the Whitewall Notch section. You can see them from the trail and they are 200 feet in.

 

[dr_wu002]

I have never hiked this trail, but plan to use it as part of a possible backpack in the near future. I will most likely camp at the Ethan Pond tentsites/shelter, but I cannot help wondering - are there reasonable spots to camp further up the trail towards the Twinway - near Whitewall Mountain? I know this trail is not that tough after you pass the Willey Range Trail, but I would like the idea of being further along to start the second day...is it so quick from the shelter to the Twinway that it is not worth doing this backcountry idea?
Any thoughts/ideas are appreciated.
Thanks!

There are a few along the Zeacliff Trail, about 0.1 after you cross Whitewall Brook.

-Dr. Wu

 

[MichaelJ]

There are some spots that I know of, not near Whitewall but further towards the hut, down in the flat. It's hard to describe where they are, since I know them more by sight than by landmark, but I'd guess somewhere in the 1/4 to 1/2 mile distance from Twinway trail junction.

Near Whitewall it's all jumbled rock, you'd need to go further, which is into the Wilderness area, to find something. Perhaps on the Zeacliff Trail?

EDIT: Wu beat me to it ... yes on the Zeacliff Trail.

 

[dr_wu002]

Make sure you drink straight from the beaver ponds when you pass by.

-Dr. Wu

 

[MadRiver]

Just after crossing the Whitewall brook on the Zeacliff Trail you will enter a large field that has plenty of areas to camp. Of course, the next morning hiking up Zeacliff to Twinway is not going to be fun.

 

[sapblatt]

Just after crossing the Whitewall brook on the Zeacliff Trail you will enter a large field that has plenty of areas to camp. Of course, the next morning hiking up Zeacliff to Twinway is not going to be fun.

I was probably going to go via the hut...with an overnight pack I think I will save the Zeacliff Trail for another day!

 

[dr_wu002]

I was probably going to go via the hut...with an overnight pack I think I will save the Zeacliff Trail for another day!

The campsites are not long from the Ethan Pond trail. You drop down a little, cross Whitewall Brook and yer there. When you wake up, walk back to the Ethan Pond Trail.

And remember, when you get to the hut, beeline to the beaver ponds and drink heartily.

-Dr. Wu

 

[king tut]

I noticed several really nice areas to camp near the river after you go down the Zeacliff trail from the cliff area intersection with the AT at Whitewall Mt. They are before you cross the river. It is only about a 2 minute walk down the rock slide from the AT. There was plenty of open flat ground and some rock fire pits down there. I swear the sign was wrong at that intersection though, i do not recall seeing it say "Zeacliff Trail", but who knows?