Presi backpacking

[SherpaTom]

Planning to travel south to north and stay at campsite and/or shelter as friends will be staying at Huts (Lakes & Madison). What is best suggestion to stay...Hermits & then either Perch, Gray Knob, Crag Camp or Valley Way Camp. I see nothing in between. Thanks

 

[David Metsky]

I see nothing in between.

That's because there's nothing in between. Your only alternatives are to drop down off the ridge and camp below treeline. There are camping spots off the Jewel Trail, and spots down in Oakes Gulf but not official established campsites.

 

[SherpaTom]

Thanks Dave,

Would you say that sites down Jewell or hermits is a better choice? If Jewell, how far down from intersection eith Gulfside?

 

[TDawg]

If it is going to be fair weather, you can't beat Crag. $12/pp a night sitting right on the edge of King Ravine. Unbelievable views.

If you'd prefer to tent, then I'd go Perch which I believe is also $12/pp.

 

[David Metsky]

Would you say that sites down Jewell or hermits is a better choice? If Jewell, how far down from intersection eith Gulfside?

You have to go below treeline to legally camp. Once there, you'll find a few places that people have obviously camped before. There's no water there as far as I recall, so you may have to carry a lot down from the spring on the side of Clay.

I honestly don't know which is better, both are a long way from Lakes. How important is it to be close to your friends, because you won't see them for a while the next day.

One possible alternative is the Dungeon below Lakes. At one point they would allow a few hikers to reserve spots there with less than 48 hours notice. I have no idea if that policy is still active, but I'd avoid staying there. It's literally a garbage pit/cesspool.

If you want to stay close to Madison the next night then the Valley Way campsites are the best bet.

 

[peakbagger]

The jewell campsites are closest to the AT, I dont have a distance. There is a stream that crosses the Jewell Trail right around treeline and actually ends up running down the trail. The AT and the Clay cutoff are above so treat the water.

The campsites on Jewell are just wide spots under a low softwood canopy, it would be tough to set up a normal two man but a one man minimal tent should fit. This site is very exposed to the prevailing westerly winds, if its gets nasty, you are going to wish you went down much further as you will probably be looking down on lightning. The area of the campsites is used frequently for a toilet as its the last open woods so watch your step.

 

[TDawg]

If you go for it down Jewell, don't settle for the first tiny spot on the left you'll come to. Maybe 200 feet further is a couple better ones on the right. It's at least .4 and 800 vertical feet down off Gulfside.

If you look on the satellite image you can see the gap in the trees at the most open spot, the third one you'll come to. Kind of reminded me of the overflow at Guyot, only smaller. This is the one I'd feel most comfortable using as it is the most hardened. But I guess on the flipside, it is the most exposed in foul weather.

 

[SherpaTom]

good stuff gents. all information appreciated...now we wait for the wethaer reports for next weekend

 

[sierra]

that is a great site down the jewell but as dave said no water and quite a bit down the trail imo.personally Id camp at the perch and then make for mizpah, without using lotc thats about it.

 

[weatherman]

Yeah, don't try the Oakes side, done it twice (fool me once, shame on...) and it's too far/steep to a campsite. More sheltered, but better to just grunt on to the Perch.