Winter camping in New Hampshire

[VTskier]

Campground's Open season

While I'm not planning on winter camping, I was thinking of doing a bicycle tour through the White Mtns later in Oct. Just a long weekend to get away. When I view the information on the campgrounds, they all seem to indicate that they close in mid Oct., yet this discussion appears to indicate that they are open much longer. Would I be able to camp at the campgrounds after mid-Oct? I'd be on my bike with all my camping gear and food, and could bring in water from town for evening meals. Are the vault toilets open all year? Do you still have to pay the camping fee? If so, who to?

Thanx's
Brian

 

[MichaelJ]

Sometimes the information is confusing, because the campgrounds that are open in winter only take reservations for the summer season, so they'll show up as "closed" on some websites (I believe recreation.gov is one example of this).

A good site to look at is http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_mountain/recreation/camping/developed_campsites.html

There you will see your choices are Barnes Field, Blackberry Crossing, and Hancock. Fees are charged. Outhouses are available, no running water or electricity.

This list is limited to USFS campgrounds only. I know Lafayette, which is a state campground is open. I'm not sure about others.

Some private campgrounds may be open as well. There are many that are open for seasonal sites, often rented to snowmobilers or hiker who park campers there for the entire winter, but I don't know if any of them take individual weekends or tent campers.

 

[peakbagger]

White Birches Campground in Shelburne NH has one heated rest room facility for winter campers.
Most folks switch to Hostels like Hiker Paradise which is open year round(although decidedly "funky")

 

[--M.]

While I'm not planning on winter camping, I was thinking of doing a bicycle tour through the White Mtns later in Oct. Just a long weekend to get away. When I view the information on the campgrounds, they all seem to indicate that they close in mid Oct., yet this discussion appears to indicate that they are open much longer. Would I be able to camp at the campgrounds after mid-Oct? I'd be on my bike with all my camping gear and food, and could bring in water from town for evening meals. Are the vault toilets open all year? Do you still have to pay the camping fee? If so, who to?

Thanx's
Brian

It's very case-by-case where you can go after the official "close," but there are some places that are officially still available (like Hancock in Lincoln, or Blackberry Crossing on the eastern end of the Kancamagus Highway), while others are entirely unmaintained, but still usable if you wanna hump in your stuff: I've had this word officially regarding Osceola Vista and the Dry River Campgrounds.

In these cases, access roads and parking lots are unplowed, but they don't mind you being there (as long as you're not blocking the road). I've used this to good effect after the close but before the snow falls. It's worked well for solitude, too, although it can be a tad eerie having the only campfire in Crawford Notch!

As for Hancock & Blackberry Crossing, the caretakers do patrol and the plowing is often just fine. If there's snow, you'll definitely want your shovel handy: the plow banks and fire pits often need rework (which is quite an exertion at the end of the day, before you can even set up!).

Also, leave the air mattress pads at home and use extra layers of foam (Walmart-style, closed-cell, very inexpensive).

The cooler trick to keep water/food from freezing is a good one, to a point (too cold, won't matter), but with a bike, you won't have that.

The fee is collected in a metal tube, like at the trailheads. One time, I switched sites, and found the caretakers dubious that I had actually paid: I had, by check, which was good on-the-spot evidence. They had been convinced I was a baddie 'til then, and then they softened right up (no benefit of the doubt that night, I guess).

I never sleep all that well in these environments and usually wake up pretty early: Peg's (in Lincoln) and Patches Market (in Glen) are good for this. Warm, friendly, good food. In the evening, It's Elvio's or GH Pizza, or atmosphere can be had at Woodstock Station (Lincoln) or Moat Mountain Brewery (N. Conway). It can get a tad dark-&-lonely at the campgrounds; sometimes I like a little social-hour before retiring.

Good luck!

 

[JCarter]

Sometimes the information is confusing, because the campgrounds that are open in winter only take reservations for the summer season, so they'll show up as "closed" on some websites (I believe recreation.gov is one example of this).

A good site to look at is http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_mountain/recreation/camping/developed_campsites.html

I know that's the "official" chart from the USFS, but it doesn't seem to be updated very often. I've found more accurate information from the website for the company that runs most of these campsites (Pro-Sports):

http://icampnh.com/

For example, the "official" list says Big Rock is open in winter, but it hasn't been for the last 2 years (and isn't this year). Passaconaway and Waterville were open last winter, but aren't shown as open in winter in the USFS chart. I think they only show the ones that are plowed.

 

[VTskier]

My plan was for the weekend of Oct 14 -16, so after Columbus Day, but well before the snow flies in the valleys. The general plan was to drive to Bethel, me Thursday night, then Friday cycle through Maine to Fryeburg and over to NH and Blackberry campaground (~55 miles), then Saturday cycle along the river, then to Evan Notch, camping at Cold River campground. If the campground is "closed", I assume I can still enter on bike, correct? I could just time my arrival late in the day and then set up camp once the sun sets. If I can't camp at Cold River, then I'd have to ride 16 north through Pinkham Notch and camp at Basin. Not bay, but going thru the Conways and 16 is not my idea of fun cycling. Sunday would be a quick cycle back to Bethel and a drive home.

 

[Chip]

You're not asking for winter camping advise, per se, but it's Friday and my next appointment is late, so I'll offer this regardless: The more comforts and amenities I have access to in the winter, the colder and more uncomfortable it seems. When I take my crew camping, we get far enough away from the distractions to settle into the experience. Tent, pads, good sleeping bag, a camp fire, warm food and a nip of something* are all the amenities I look for.

"far enough away from the distractions" could be close enough to access them if needed, but not so close that you get used to them.

 

[--M.]

My plan was for the weekend of Oct 14 -16, so after Columbus Day, but well before the snow flies in the valleys. The general plan was to drive to Bethel, me Thursday night, then Friday cycle through Maine to Fryeburg and over to NH and Blackberry campaground (~55 miles), then Saturday cycle along the river, then to Evan Notch, camping at Cold River campground. If the campground is "closed", I assume I can still enter on bike, correct? I could just time my arrival late in the day and then set up camp once the sun sets. If I can't camp at Cold River, then I'd have to ride 16 north through Pinkham Notch and camp at Basin. Not bay, but going thru the Conways and 16 is not my idea of fun cycling. Sunday would be a quick cycle back to Bethel and a drive home.

For staying at an officially "Closed" campground (by riding in on your bike), I'd personally recommend talking to an official on the phone (and taking their name), just to ensure you have a permission slip if hassled on the scene (takes the uncertainty out). I've had good luck this way (and needed it, too, with rangers or cops coming by: name-dropping required).

As for cycling through NConway, maybe you'd have a more pleasant ride up over Bear Notch, or perhaps via the Dugway and West Side roads; good cycling there!

 

[MichaelJ]

Also note that generally the officially-closed campgrounds have their sanitary facilities closed or boarded up. It would be very unfriendly to leave behind anything for the spring thaw.

 

[Casual Hiker]

You're not asking for winter camping advise, per se, but it's Friday and my next appointment is late, so I'll offer this regardless: The more comforts and amenities I have access to in the winter, the colder and more uncomfortable it seems. When I take my crew camping, we get far enough away from the distractions to settle into the experience. Tent, pads, good sleeping bag, a camp fire, warm food and a nip of something* are all the amenities I look for.

"far enough away from the distractions" could be close enough to access them if needed, but not so close that you get used to them.

I may not have originally been looking for it, but the more I hear the more I value the input I've gotten. I've done winter camping with the Boy Scouts before, but never with my family. We're all looking forward to this, and the unsought advise has definitely improved the quality of the experience we'll have. We all have zero degree bags, and I have foam sleeping pads. Who knows, if this goes well we might have a new family tradition in the works.

 

[Stash]

...then one more piece of advice

Sleep in a hat. Makes a huge difference.

 

[Chip]

We all have zero degree bags, and I have foam sleeping pads.

Everyone will need 2 pads. I've bought the cheap blue eggshell ones from WalMart and cut them to fit the tent floors well, so you get full coverage there and then a regular backpacking pad (inflatable or not) on top of those. Good to have full coverage on the floor and then the second pad under the bag. This is not as needed in small tents where everything is covered, regardless. One more winter technique I always use is a cheap nylon bag cover. It adds 5 or 10 degrees to the rating, gives you something to pull over your face if it's cold and keeps you, the bag and the pad packaged as a unit. Nice. Have fun. There's something about being comfortable, fed and happy in the cold that's very satisfying.

 

[Will]

There's something about being comfortable, fed and happy in the cold that's very satisfying.

With age I seem no longer able to find that "warm and toasty" level that was always so wonderful. Seems lately (including some pretty cold highups already this year) I'm either just barely not cold, or sweating. I know when I fall asleep I'm going to wake up soon, one way or the other. I'm tending to wrap myself up only to the extent that I'm feeling just marginally cold since it's better to wake up needing to cinch up a little rather than waking up in a wetted bag, bathed in sweat.

I'm hoping this is just a body transition and that I'll be adjusting to old age at some point.

 

[DougPaul]

One more winter technique I always use is a cheap nylon bag cover. It adds 5 or 10 degrees to the rating, gives you something to pull over your face if it's cold and keeps you, the bag and the pad packaged as a unit.

Be careful about not obstructing your air path. Anything that gets in the way of your exhaled air will collect ice and water. (Do NOT breath inside your sleeping bag--you will just get it wet.) Ventilate your tent too or it will have an inside coat of ice.

If you do use a bag cover (or bivy sack), make sure it is breathable. Otherwise water and ice will collect in your bag.

FWIW, I prefer to wear a balaclava in my bag. (Warmer than a hat.) If need be, you can close it over your face leaving just your nose sticking out. Then close your sleeping bag hood down so it covers everything except your air path.

Another key to keeping warm is to block the pumping (of air in and out of your sleeping bag) caused by your breathing. There are several methods:
* Fill the free space in the bag, for example, with an inner down bag.
* Some bags have a draft collar to block the air flow.
* If the bag doesn't have a collar or the collar is inadequate, place a down jacket around your shoulders to block the flow.

You may find small of your back becomes uncomfortable after lying on you back for a while. Put something under your knees (eg a water bottle) or a spare hat or wool shirt under the small of your back.

Wear DRY socks in the bag. (Yes you can wear your clothing inside the bag as long as it is dry. I always wear at least a hat, long underwear, and socks to keep body an hair oils out of the bag.)

You also need to bring anything that shouldn't freeze in your bag with you--a water bottle, boot liners, etc. (You want a water bottle so you can drink if you get thirsty. Winter air is very dry and dehydrating.)

You can dry damp mittens and socks by placing them on your belly at night. (Your body heat will dry them.)

If you are cold at night, you will wake up and you will need to pee. (Being cold makes you need to pee, not the other way around.) If so, get up and visit the woods or use a pee bottle (which must be kept in your sleeping bag so it doesn't freeze or be emptied immediately).

Of course, if you are hot, open up your bag and switch from the balaclava to a light hat...

Doug

 

[dug]

I second Chip's idea about "lining" the tent with pads. Ridge-Rests are good for that. If you have a tendancy to roll around when you are sleeping, it's possible to roll off your pad, and hitting that cold ground can be relatively shocking. Having the entire tent floor covered makes it easier to sleep, move around, get changed, etc.

 

[Billy]

Sleep in a hat. Makes a huge difference.

I don't think I've ever seen a hat big enough to sleep in.

 

[DougPaul]

If you have a tendancy to roll around when you are sleeping, it's possible to roll off your pad, and hitting that cold ground can be relatively shocking.

I reach down with my finger tips to feel the edges of my pad through my sleeping bag. Helps me to stay on the pad.

Paving the tent floor with pads is still a good idea if you can afford to carry the weight. There are (or used to be) pads that were sold in squares with interlocking edges for this purpose.

Doug

 

[Chip]

...Anything that gets in the way of your exhaled air will collect ice and water. (Do NOT breath inside your sleeping bag--you will just get it wet.) Ventilate your tent too or it will have an inside coat of ice...


...You can dry damp mittens and socks by placing them on your belly at night. (Your body heat will dry them.)

Doug

I wouldn't winter camp with a damp load on my belly. I don't take anything damp or wet into the bag with me, including anything I've worn during the day. This was about the only valuable thing I learned about winter camping as a scout. Cold air is dry enough to evaporate moisture if you hang/spread damp clothes elsewhere. Bone dry in bag = warmer sleep.*

Doug, I'm not sure how your bag, bivy and tent won't handle your breath, but they will dump the moisture of your wet socks and mittens.

 

[MichaelJ]

Paving the tent floor with pads is still a good idea if you can afford to carry the weight. There are (or used to be) pads that were sold in squares with interlocking edges for this purpose.

For example, these. Definitely specific to car camping, not backpacking. I believe this product, or one just like it, is what Shizzmac uses. They make a huge difference, whether on bare, frozen ground, or atop snow.

BTW - something to keep in mind, not so much for your Thanksgiving trip but definitely for full-on winter camping, is how to stake out your tent on the snow. There are two options of which I'm aware. The backpacker's trick is to use a dead branch ... tie off your line to it, then push it down into the snow. Pack the snow around it, hold for a moment or two while it sets, and it will be secure. The other option is to use "snow stakes". Here is an example. Carefully extract a hole from the snow, bury it flat against the direction of pull, and pack down your snow on top. These come in handy in hard, rocky terrain as well.

In both cases, be wary of rainy weather, which can saturate the snow then freeze into solid ice and then your tent isn't moving until spring.

 

[dug]

I reach down with my finger tips to feel the edges of my pad through my sleeping bag. Helps me to stay on the pad.

Paving the tent floor with pads is still a good idea if you can afford to carry the weight. There are (or used to be) pads that were sold in squares with interlocking edges for this purpose.

Doug

Yes, I have three 2x4 "sheets" of LinkRests that fit my pimping tent perfectly that link together.