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Post by williamh4 on Aug 17, 2015 12:21:07 GMT -8
I'll be going on my first backpacking trip in a few weeks and am curious about a couple of things (for now, I'm sure I'll have more questions). I am considering backpacking on the Black Mountain Crest Trail in North Carolina. I read there was only 1 place to "legally" camp along the trail. Is that something you typically see along a trail? Only certain areas where you can "legally" camp? I assume "legally" was indicated suggesting people do camp at other places along the trail.
When backpacking on trails, can you leave the beaten path and explore? I suppose that might have to do with whether or not I'm trespassing on private property?
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desert dweller
Trail Wise!
Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
Posts: 6,293
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Post by desert dweller on Aug 17, 2015 12:35:33 GMT -8
It sometimes depends on who administers the trail system of the area. Most National Forests allow camping just about anywhere in the back country unless restrictions are in place.
The National Park System is a lot more strict and will designate certain areas for camping and certain areas for protections.
BLM land is usually open to camping anywhere unless it is a sensitive areas.
State lands rules vary.
You may want to do some more research to find out which Department controls that particular area and then call the ranger/official and get the actual lowdown.
Welcome to backpacking, by the way.
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Post by williamh4 on Aug 17, 2015 12:43:01 GMT -8
Thanks for the response, desertdweller. This forum is great for new backpackers.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2015 12:52:06 GMT -8
As Desert Dweller said above, it depends. Here, I believe, is the National Forest website for that trail. Please note that there is a difference in "hiking off-trail" and "blazing your own trail." When you "blaze" a trail, you are marking it, and the Forest Service generally does not allow that. Generally the Forest Service will allow you to hike off-trail — as long as you are not attempting to establish your own trail. Forest Service trails are established with the intent of protecting the watershed from erosion. If you mark a trail in anyway such as to encourage other hikers to follow your route, you run the risk of creating erosion potential where the land manager (the Forest Service, in this case) does not want an established trail. So hiking off-trail is generally allowed, but you are generally not allowed to remove vegetation, mark the off-trail route, or do anything to establish a pattern of use that other hikers may follow. And even to that, especially above timberline, there may be exceptions.
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BlueBear
Trail Wise!
@GoBlueHiker
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Post by BlueBear on Aug 17, 2015 12:56:14 GMT -8
Yeah, pretty much what DD said. The "permit" areas typically include national parks and other very-crowded areas that need to be protected, hence the permit system to avoid the areas from being overrun. The rules are there for good reasons. Also as DD pointed out, I would look up the rules for whatever park/area you're in. Edit: ...or let Travis look them up for you. ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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Post by 1camper on Aug 17, 2015 13:10:10 GMT -8
If this is your first backpacking expedition you might try something with less elevation gain. It looks all fun on paper.. There is a small tent only campground near the summit of Mt Mitchell that might serve as a good starting or ending point. Maybe start at the top while you're loaded and walk down the ridge getting lighter for the climb back up.
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Post by williamh4 on Aug 17, 2015 13:33:38 GMT -8
That was a poor word choice on my part. I would never "blaze" a trail. I am always conscientious of the environment and the critters in it.
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Post by williamh4 on Aug 17, 2015 13:37:54 GMT -8
Again, thank you all for the responses. I'll do some homework on that trail before embarking.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 17, 2015 13:45:11 GMT -8
Part of the issue, especially in the East, can be trails that have very narrow right of ways thorough otherwise privately owned land. Other restrictions that are common is being a certain distance from roads or trailheads, often a mile and certain distances from water such as lakes and streams to reduce water pollution. But no, "legally" means camping anywhere else is prohibited (depending on where that "legally" came from, an official source or internet rumor), probably for reasons of resource protection: and disregarding environmental protection regulations is phenomenally selfish (IMHO). ETA: ah, a twelve mile trail to a very popular destination: so odds are what they're doing is trying to focus the damage by restricting camping to that one location at Deer Gap 3.9 miles in. cnyhiking.com/BRP-BlackMtnCrestTrail.htmMy preference is to choose places that don't so restrict campsite selection (less because I don't like being told where to camp, though I don't, and more because that's a huge sign a place is too crowded for my liking). Though on ridge routes such as that water availability can also narrow the choices. Don't know if that's the case here. When I'm out I'll use trails to get into the backcountry most efficiently, avoiding reinventing the wheel as it were, then head off where the map has shown me some interesting features and spend my time camping and wandering along a promising headwaters or whatever.. When day hiking I'll rarely follow trails. The exception would be where, as in the East above treelike, there are restrictions in place to preserve and protect fragile ecosystems such as the Appalachian Alpine environment. ETA2: Okay, apparently it's a State Park (with restaurants and a observation building at the summit) so they're trying to focus use to keep the place from getting trashed. so NO camping except at the designated spots and State parks often have rangers that issue tickets with nasty fines... "" Camping is not allowed along these trails except for the area around the Deep Gap Junction. Campsites are available at both trailheads:" hikingthecarolinas.com/black_mountains.phpA LOT of choices around there: www.fs.usda.gov/activity/nfsnc/recreation/hiking/?recid=48112&actid=50The other big reason for encouraging people to stay on trails is people very often get LOST when they go off trail and then they have to be searched for and rescued at great trouble and expense. Hurts the budget.
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Post by rwtb123 on Aug 17, 2015 19:23:44 GMT -8
One end starts/ends at Mt Mitchell SP but the trail itself goes into the national forest.It appears the camping restriction as everyone has suggested is to protect the higher peaks of the Black Mountain range www.summitpost.org/black-mountains/170888Otherwise Pisgah is pretty much like other NFs where there is a lot of camping flexibility.I hiked the challenging Mt Mitchell trail in the state park many years ago and the Black Mountain Crest trail has been on my to do list ever since a trip report from thebackpacker a number of years ago. ETA Personally, I would probably make a loop out of it using a route such as this possumrocket.blogspot.com/ and camping somewhere in the NF down off the crest out of site of the trail.(as I can't direct link the blog post check the Oct 7,2012 Black Mountain Crest Trail Loop entry)
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Post by ecocentric on Aug 18, 2015 1:36:25 GMT -8
Welcome to the forum William. One of the skills that will make you a life long backpacker is choosing trails and places to camp. You found this forum and you care about your impact on the environment, so your odds are good. ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) Everyplace has it's rules which are generally in place to protect resources and prevent conflicts between the different users of that land resource. Solitude is a resource that is important to many but you will have to seek out the dwindling places where that can be found. The trail shelters and camp sites along heavily used trails are no place to find solitude, you risk the company of really annoying people there, but you might make a good friend there. Attitude could make the difference. In the East, real wilderness is rare, so there are more rules. Being a good example of low impact is the best way to assure that thousands of people can experience the natural experience that everyone here is seeking. Where "distributed camping" is allowed, leaving no trace will preserve the experience that you have for generations to come. The dialog is important, this is a culture that we want to share and promote in our larger society. Tell us about your experience and don't be too offended if someone is critical. We all have our own way of expressing our "love." I hope to see you on the trail.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 18, 2015 9:20:47 GMT -8
On the issue of route selection: for a "first", HYOH, but I'd probably prefer a loop or something else where the country itself is interesting, this route seems more about the Mt. Mitchell summit, which you can drive to.... and logistically it's a challenge as you either leave a car at each end or do an "out and back", and repeating the same ground can be off-putting.
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Post by williamh4 on Aug 18, 2015 9:53:13 GMT -8
I really appreciate all the input/comments. You guys have done more research on my prospective trail than I have. ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) . However, I was aware of having to do an "out and back". From what little I have read, it appears to be a challenging hike. If it's beautiful and challenging, I won't mind so much seeing it twice. I might also, rules allowing, go off trail on my way back.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 18, 2015 10:35:37 GMT -8
Other than areas such as the sensitive above treeline areas such as occur on Mt Washington in the NH Presidentials off trail hiking isn't normally prohibited by the area's rules. Crossing sensitive meadows and such IS discouraged for resource protection but that's a separate category. Walking being viewed as much less damaging than camping in one spot for hours to overnight in terms of compacting the soil, wrecking plants etc. so a designated camping area has it's won function: the "stay on trails" encouragement is to reduce navigation errors that can lead to too many lost hiker searches.
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Post by 1camper on Aug 18, 2015 11:59:43 GMT -8
www.everytrail.com/browse.php?activity_id=28&country=united+states&state=North+Carolina I'd second the idea of a loop and not look for a real difficult hike. Most anyone here will tell you they brought too much stuff on their first trip. Backpacking is the art of deciding what to take. What you need to be comfortable in the place you plan to go..and not much else ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) If you try to tackle a difficult hike on your first time out, you run the risk of making yourself miserable. Lots of resources these days to get accurate info on trails, conditions and water availability.
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