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NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE GUIDE INCLUDING ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR SURVIVAL

BY MARIA SUTRYN CONTENTS INTRODUCTION

In there are a variety of different activities to do, from hiking, kayaking, Introduction...... 3 swimming and camping. New Hampshire is an ideal choice for your northeast hiking vaca- Map Index...... 4 tion. More than 500,000 people visit New Hampshire to hike every year. With the right trail, Section the right gear, and some of the most majestic views in the US, hiking in New Hampshire is 1. Kayaking...... 5 sure to be a most memorable experience. 2. Hiking...... 9 3. Camping...... 18 There can be nothing better than being alone with nature. From the Great North Woods, to 4. Survival...... 25 the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee and beyond, New Hampshire camping is a great way to vacation. Summer in New Hampshire means classic family vacations, time together enjoying the beach, canoeing on the lakes or roasting marshmallows around the campfire. With hundreds of lakes, ponds, and rivers, New Hampshire is a boaters’ paradise. Summer residents usually get their boats in the water by mid June and enjoy the season until October.

To make the activities more enjoyable, don’t skimp on buying: 1) Comfortable & well-fitting footwear 2) Warm sleeping gear

Doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money, but don’t go with low quality or low per- formance. Blistered feet and a shivering night’s sleep will turn you off to the whole outdoor adventure quicker than just about anything. You can get by with an inexpensive pack, an economy tent or tarp, a simple foam pad, inexpensive water bottles, etc. Just make sure you treat your feet with respect and sleep warm.

LEAVE NO TRACE People go out in nature to see nature. The last thing hikers and campers want to see is a bunch of trash and cigarette butts littering the site, bottle caps, cans in the fire ring, etc. Let the next person enjoy it as much as you did.

2 3 SECTION 1 KAYAKING

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The Saco River DISTANCES Start: 302 Bridge in Conway NH to Weston’s Bridge = 10.1 mi Lovewell’s Pond to Brownfield Bridge = 5.9 mi The Saco River is a favorite Weston’s Bridge to Swan’s Falls = 3.4 mi Brownfield Bridge to Hiram Bridge = 13.8 mi waterway with beautiful river views and Swan’s Falls to Canal Bridge = 3.8 mi End: Hiram Bridge in Fryeburg, ME scenery. Viewing the White Mountains Canal Bridge to Walker’s Bridge = 7 mi Total Distance: 48.7 mi Walker’s Bridge to Walker’s Rip (falls) = 2.7 mi from the riverbed is breathtaking on a Walker’s Rip to Lovewell’s Pond = 2 mi clear spring or summer day. With clear water and a sandy bottom; it’s perfect for swimmimg. There are lots of options in terms of put-ins and take-outs, it’s just a question of matching up the campsites. According to the AMC Guide, you can park cars at Saco Bound on Rt. 302, at Swans Falls, at the Canal Bridge on Copyright ©2005 Josh Mathis The river originates at Mount Rte 5, at Walker’s Bridge on Rte 302, at the Brownfield Bridge on Rt. 160 and at the Saco Valley Garage in Hiram. (6,288 feet). As the river makes it’s way down , it spills into Saco Lake, a Distance from Rt. 302 in Center Conway is: small body of water in , New Hampshire. From there, the river runs 134 miles Swans Falls – 10 miles and eventually empties into the Atlantic Ocean below Biddeford and Saco, . In NH, the Canal Bridge – 14 miles river flows quickly as it drops 1,515 feet over 45 miles. Old Saco – 17.5 miles Walkers Bridge (Rt. 302) – 21 miles Walker’s Falls – 23.5 miles RIVER DIFFICULTY Lovewell’s Pond – 25.5 miles The river is primarily smooth water from North Conway to the Maine border, with some Brownfield Bridge (Rt. 160) – 30 miles rapids between Conway and center Conway. If you’re a whitewater expert, the upper section Hiram Bridge – 43 miles of the river is where you want to be. Between the Gorge at Notchland and the center of Bart- lett, there are difficult rapids throughout with some drops for the more experienced. If you’re CAMPGROUNDS ALONG THE RIVER looking for intermediate difficulty, Bartlett to Conway has quick water and sporadic rapids. Saco Base Pine (603-447-2177) The Beach Campground (603-447-2723) Water Levels Cove Campground (603-447-6734) 100‑450 cfs: very slow moving water White Mountain National Forest (877-444-6777) 450‑1000 cfs: gentle current Swans Falls Campground (207-935-3395) 1000­­‑1200 cfs: quicker water Fiddlehead (877-343-3534) Walkers Falls Campground (207-441-2593) 1200‑1600 cfs: easy rapids Woodland Acres (207-935-2529) Shannon’s Saco River Sanctuary (207-452-2274)

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SECTION 2 HIKING

Copyright ©2014 Saco Bound

8 9 MT. WASHINGTON

Mt. Washington HIKING ROUTES latitude 44° 16’ N longitude 71° 18’ W The most popular trails start at From the west side of Mt. Washington, start- Pinkham Notch, on the east side of the ing near the Marshfield Station of the Cog At 6,288 feet above sea level, Mount mountain. Climbing from the east means Railroad, there are two routes: Washington is the highest point in the that you are sheltered from the usual northeastern . strong winds out of north and west for The Ammonoosuc Ravine trail (3.9 miles) the majority of the hike. Starts at a parking area just below the Cog Remember that the weather around Mount parking lot and climbs up the Lakes of the Washington changes suddenly and varies Clouds hut. From there hikers continue up on MAIN ROUTE the Crawford Path to the summit. greatly between the base and the summit. Copyright ©2013 George Cheatle Tuckerman Ravine trail (4.1 miles) *Easiest route The temperature can vary from 80º or more The Trail goes straight from Pinkham at the base to 50º or less at the summit in August. Above the tree line, clouds, rain, snow, sleet, to the summit, but is very steep at the The Jewel trail (4.6 miles) freezing rain, and lots of wind can be normal any summer day. Don’t be afraid to turn back. Headwall of the ravine. Leaves from the far side of the Cog Railroad parking lot (park at the Ammonoosuc Ravine PACKING ESSENTIALS trailhead) and climbs up to the ridge where it • Map trail (5.4 miles) joins the Gulfside trail. • Compass South side of the ravine and longer trail, • Warm Clothing (Including Hat And Mittens) but no more difficult. • Extra Food And Water • Flashlight Or Headlamp Lion Head trail (4.5 miles) • Matches/Firestarters On the north side of the ravine, this trail • First Aid Kit is steeper and rougher than the ravine. • Whistle • Rain/Wind Gear • Pocket Knife • Batteries • Sunscreen • Bug Spray

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Route Miles Elevation (Round Trip) Gain Tuckerman’s Ravine 8.4 4,300 Lion’s Head 8.4 4,300 Boott Spur 10.8 4,300 Boott Spur and Tuckerman’s Ravine Loop 9.6 4,300

Ammonoosuc Ravine 9.0 3,800 Jewell Trail 10.2 3,800 Ammonoosuc Ravine and Jewell Trail 9.6 3,800 Loop 15.8 5,000 Great Gulf and Tuckerman’s Ravine Loop 12.1 5,000 ©2014 Mount Washington Observatory

12 13 PEMI

Note: This trail is nothing but hiking from peak to peak along ridges. You will be hiking up Mt. Pemigewasset and down sometimes very steep inclines.

(Indian Head) The Pemi, unlike some other parts of the Whites, is a true wilderness with only the most seasoned of adventurers roaming its mountains. There are no parking lots on the tops of the he Indian Head was formed by gla- T mountains and no highways cutting through the middle. cial action thousands of year ago. It sits overlooking Shadow Lake in Franconia If you are a peak-bagger, this is definitely a nice loop to go on as you hit the following peaks Notch. Out of the trees, the granite peak (listed in order of the trails above): drops straight down from the edge and leaves you with some very precarious 1. Mt. Flume (4328 ft) views down to the valley below. 2. Mt. Liberty (4459 ft) 2,557 ft mountain peak Copyright ©2007 Michael Costolo 3. Little Haystack Mountain (4780 ft) Moderate hike 4. Mt. Lincoln (5089 ft) Distance (round trip): 3.6 miles 5. Mt. Lafayette (5260 ft) Elevation Gain: 1,200’ 6. Mt. Garfield (4500 ft) 7. South Twin Mountain (4902 ft) 8. Mt. Guyot (4580 ft) Pemi Loop 9. Mt. Bond (4698 ft) 2-3 day trip 10. The Cliffs (4265 ft) Climbs over 9000 vertical feet Between Mt. Garfield and South Twin Mountain is (4040 ft) if you want Pemi Loop isn’t an actual trail per se, so there are no trail markers that say “Pemi Loop.” to make a quick side-trip. North Twin Mountain (4761 ft) isn’t far away either. In the span of The loop consists of the following trails (listed in the order that most people hike them) that a few days you can visit a fair share of the Four-Thousand Footers (three of them being in the happen to make a long 32.5 mile hike: top 10). 1. Lincoln Woods Trail (1.4 miles) 6. Bondcliff Trail (0.4 miles) 2. Osseo Trail (4.1 miles) 7. West Bond Spur (1.0 miles) 3. Franconia Ridge Trail (5.0 miles) 8. Bondcliff Trail (6.5 miles) 4. Garfield Ridge Trail (6.6 miles) 9. Lincoln Woods/Wilderness Trail (4.7 miles) 5. Twinway Trail (2.8 miles)

14 15 SECTION 2 PEMI

Areas to refill water along the way:

• Lincoln Woods trail head • Liberty Springs Tent Site (a 0.3 mile hike down the Liberty Spring Trail from the ridge) • Garfield Ridge AMC Camp Site • Galehead Hut • Guyot AMC Shelter and Tentsite

WHERE TO SLEEP You can camp anywhere along the trail as long as you are below the tree line and not within a 1/4 mile of any AMC run hut/tent site or road..There’s tent sites that include a water source and an outhouse that charge about $8 a night. The huts (Galehead Hut and Green Leaf Hut 1.1 miles down the Bridle Path from the summit of Mt. Lafayette) cost more, but provide you with a bunk to sleep in, warm food, and access to clean water.

The huts are a great experience. They’re a bit pricey, but in the end worth it. It’s a great way to stay up in the mountains longer. Also you can enjoy sharing experiences and tips with other hikers you meet among the huts.

16 17 AMC Huts Sleep in a bunk for the night with all the necessities in the most spectacular locations of the White Mountains. Enjoy in-season, home-cooked dinner and breakfast (with vegetarian options), as well as cold running water and composting or waterless toilets. SECTION 3 Copyright ©2011 Sam Feinsilver Lonesome Lake Hut CAMPING Open year-round and located 1.6 miles from trailhead. Offers big views of Franconia Ridge without huge effort. A favorite with beginners and families. Swim and catch frogs in the lake and relax looking over at the outstanding views.

Elevation: 2,760 Hike level: Easy

Greenleaf Hut Commanding view of and gorgeous sunsets reward the moderate hike to this hut. Perched at treeline overlooking Eagle Lake, Greenleaf Hut surrounds yourself in high mountain beauty. Gaze upon Lafayette’s grand summit about a mile away from the porch.

Elevation: 4,200 Hike level: Moderate

Galehead Hut A more challenging hike (4.6 miles from the trailhead) leads to the most remote hut, with sweeping views into the . Embark on day hikes to nearby Twin or Bond peaks, or string together a hut-to-hut hike to Galehead’s nearest neighbors 7 miles away.

Elevation: 3,800 Hike level: Difficult

18 19 AMC HUTS SECTION 3

Zealand Falls Hut Hike through the beautiful Zealand Valley (2.8 miles) where you’ll reach an old logging road that leads to the hut once you climb the 20 flights of stairs. A gorgeous waterfall is right next door. An easy hike in makes it popular with families and beginners.

Elevation: 2,700’ Hike level: Easy

Mitzvah Spring Hut 2.6 miles from the trailhead, this is an ideal base for exploring the southern Presidentials. Nestled in a col between two 4,000-foot peaks, Mizpah Spring Hut is just a short distance from the fabled Crawford Path.

Elevation: 3,800’ Hike level: Moderate

Lakes of the Clouds Hut This is the highest and most visited hut that overlooks alpine meadows and offers big views of Mount Washington.

Elevation: 5,050’ Hike level: Difficult

Madison Spring Hut Gaze out over several mountain ranges, located in the northern Presidentials, where you’re right between and Mount Adams.

Elevation: 4,800’ Hike level: Difficult Copyright ©2014 Appalachian Mountian Club Carter Notch Hut Quiet mountain lakes and towering cliffs surround this secluded spot between the Wildcat and Carter ranges. Oldest and easternmost hut.

Elevation: 3,288’ Hike level: Moderate

20 21 DOLLY COPP

The campground will be full during any holiday weekend. Reservations are a must. Mid-week Dolly Copp gets less use, and. after Labor Day weekend, things quiet down considerably until the peak of Campground foliage season. Located 6 miles south of Gorham, Dolly Copp campground has 175 campsites in 12 loops and four spurs stretching along the New Hampshire at the base of New and bisected by Culhane Brook. You can choose open campsites or more England’s tallest peak, the historic reserved, but campsites are first-come first-serve. Try to get sites along the brook – #82-#84 Dolly Copp Campground accommo- in the Brook Loop, and #104-#107 in the High Woods Loop. All of these sites are relatively dates a range of campers and provides secluded, and are a quick walk to the water. access to some of the most popular hikes in the White Mountains. While camping at Dolly Copp you can take a drive up Mount Washington Auto Road or hike up right from the campground (5 mile hike). You can enjoy fishing, viewing waterfalls, Each campsite has a picnic table and a Copyright ©2011 Sam Feinsilver swimming, hiking, canoeing/kayaking to just relaxing at your site. fire ring with a grate. Toilets, drinking water and trash recycling containers are a short walk from the sites. In order to maintain a rustic atmosphere, Dolly Copp does not have any hookups, dump stations, or showers. The DO NOT LEAVE FOOD OUT — WILL ATTRACT BEARS Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC) Pinkham Notch Visitor Center (approximately 5 miles Keep all food out of site in sealed containers or locked inside a vehicle and remove all food south of Dolly Copp) offers coin operated showers. from area after eating.

There is no camp store, but Gorham is just a few miles down the road with almost everything you need. FIREWOOD Because of its potential to carry invasive insects that destroys forests, absolutely no firewood is Within Facility: allowed from outside of New Hampshire or Maine. Leave firewood at home, use local sources and burn it on-site. Bike Riding Ice Machine Fire Rings Telephone Firewood Nature Trails Hiking Trails Restroom

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The Daniel Webster Scout trail provides access to a network of trails in the Great Gulf Wilder- ness including:

Imp Trail A moderate-to-strenuous 6.6 mile loop that follows the Imp Brook up North Carter Mountain to the Imp Face — an outcropping of rock that can be seen from the Dolly Copp Camp- ground. On a clear day, you can see the entire from that vantage point.

Great Gulf Link Trail Short one mile hike and ends at Great Gulf Trail. SECTION 4 If you continue past the one mile point onto Great Gulf Trail, only 1.8 miles long, you’ll reach Osgood Trail. The Osgood Trail ascends the ridges of Mt. Madison. SURVIVAL

Osgood Trail Moderate 5.6 mile hike. You can go right up to Osgood Ridge and then to Mt. Madison. + You can combine the Great Gulf Link, Great Gulf, Osgood and Daniel Webster-Scout trails into a 9.5 mile loop.

Madison Gulf Trail The turn onto the Madison Gulf Trail comes soon after the Osgood Cutoff. Would advise not to descend Madison Gulf. There are a few tricky scrambles toward the base of the headwall. The trail is in the trees and scrub 99% of the way. Keep in mind that it’s a tough trail. Would be better to ascend Madison Gulf and descend Buttress.

SUGGESTIONS You can loop over Adams, down Buttress, and up Osgood Ridge back to the Scout trail for a long hike or try going up Caps Ridge, down Sphinx, up Great Gulf, Down Wamsutta, Up 6 Husbands, and down to Appalachia. You can make the trip anyway you want, but avoid descending 6 Husbands and Madison Gulf.

24 25 SURVIVAL SECTION 4

If you know you’re going to be out in the wild, make sure you pack carefully. Wilderness Tips survival is never negated by having equipment with you; it only makes things easier for you. Think about if you can safely stay a night or more out with what you have. Part of surviving is The difference between being lost or not is commonly a few hundred yards, maybe half a how well prepared you are. mile. Back tracking with certainty beats the hell out of proceding and hoping for the best. Admit you are lost, set up shop next to water and open enough to land a chopper. Start a fire; someone will be along sooner or later. SURVIVAL KIT • Tourniquet • Water and Canteen IMPORTANT • Flares • Water Purifier (depending on duration of trip) Awareness, patience, and perseverance are key to successful survival in the woods. You have • 2 Compasses • Dried Food to be aware of what is around you in terms of where you are, what usable things are around • Fixed Blade Knife • Whistle you and what dangers there are. You have to be patient, and not panic. You do much of • Mirror (can be used as a signaling • Maps anything in a hurry and you will endanger yourself more than you will stopping and thinking device as long as the sun is out) • Personal Locator Beacons (only for emergency) things through. • First Aid Kit • Fire Starters (3 ways) • Wind Up Flashlight • 100’ of Paracord Food is rarely the first priority. Shelter is the prime necessity in the extremes of climate or • Poncho/Rain and Wind Gear • Duct tape temperature. The need for fire is closely linked. Once you’re sheltered and get warm and dry, • Warm Clothing (extra socks!) • Some fishing line and a few hooks find water. Third thing is food, and you might just make it. • Tarp/Tent/Sleeping Bag • Aluminum Foil (a pot for boiling and more)

Three Rule The 5 C’s Also think about renewability. If you stockpile food and water, you’re going to run out . If you 3 minutes without air 1. Cutting tool (good fixed blade knife) can’t get your own food and filter your own water, you’re stuck. When your sleeping bags wear 3 hours without shelter 2. Cover (tarp or reusable space blanket) out, can you gather and prepare animal hides to keep yourself warm? If you depend on guns (in extreme weather) 3. Combustion device (a Bic or Zippo) for security (not to mention food), you’re going to run out of ammo. 3 days without water 4. Container for boiling (Stainless steel water bottle or cup) 3 weeks without food 5. Cordage (550 cord or rope) Learn to gather wild edibles and hunt/trap/snare or you will die, either from exhaustion from carrying extra things you brought with you, or from eventual starvation. Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. This is the best guarantee that you will survive if you find yourself in a survival situation. If no one knows that Remember: In even mildly cold weather when camping, do not put your head in your you are missing, then no one will be looking for you. sleeping bag. It will make you cold and damp due to the moisture in your breath. Put up with a cold nose and wear a hat.

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Useful Items (optional) NAVIGATE • Dental floss (waxed) makes a great heavy duty thread for tent, tarp and blue jean repairs. Sun Compass You can make a compass from a stick and a few stones. • Superglue or dermabond can be used for wounds as bandaids aren’t sufficient. It can seal up Put the stick (a 3 foot straight one if you can) and stick it in the ground. Put a stone or small a gash and are great in a pinch. stick at the tip of the end of the shadow of the first stick. Wait a while for the shadow of the stick to move then mark the end of the shadow. Lay a straight stick or draw a line in the dirt • Duel purpose water filter between the two markers. That line will run east to west. With your back to the sun and your When backpacking, boiling water for drinking just isn’t practical. Using a 2% iodine and 47% toes on the line, you are facing north. This simple method is thousands of years old. It is alcohol mixture (common ingredients in iodine at the drugstore) you use 5-10 drops per liter. believed the Vikings used it to find Greenland, Iceland, and North America. Also when the 5 drops for clear non-suspect water and 10 for cloudy, tainted water. The iodine doubles as a shadow is the shortest it is noon. A compass and a clock in one. wound cleaner. Although be careful with this. Iodine is a poison so don’t use more than 10 drops per liter unless you want to slowly poison yourself! START A FIRE You need 3 items: Tinder(Dry/Flammable Material), Kindling(Grass/Bark/Twigs), and • An 18-inch crowbar has a thousand uses, from digging holes, to breaking up firewood, to Fuel(Wood/Logs/Trees). As a small fire starts to grow using tinder, add the kindling to build tying a rope to as to throw it over a limb or what have you. Not to mention opening things an adequate flame that will burn the fuel. that don’t want to be opened. For cotton ball fire starters, use Purell hand sanitizer instead of petrolium jelly. Works much • If you have a frog spear there’s no need for a fishing pole. better, as it has a faster and longer burn time. You’ll also get the use of a hand sanitizer if needed. Doesn’t take much of it to soak a ball and stores good. Alcohol wipes work well for a • Contractor’s trash bags make great shelters, sleeping bags if need be; they can be used to fire starter as well. carry stuff, used as a rain coat, even as tarps. They are light weight, cheap, strong, and can be reused. If you store up a few toilet paper rolls loosely packed with dryer lint, it burns hot, and it burns well enough to start smaller to medium twigs and branches without having to find grass or • Small pencil sharpener for dry tinder. Works well even in wet conditions. leaves to keep throwing on the fire.

If it’s daytime you can always use a pair of glasses to reflect sunlight onto anything flammable. If it’s dark and cold, when most people will need a fire, a magnesium/flint stick will burn much faster when your fingers are frozen and not working. When dealing with tinder that isn’t dry enough to catch with a spark, you’re going to be wanting that flame around to get things going. Just remember to always have a back-up of waterproof matches just in case.

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KNOTS Timber Hitch Truckers Hitch Figure 8 Knot Square Knot Secures a rope around a post Tie canoes and other objects to the tops of cars 70-75% rope strength Secures non-critical items

Clove Hitch All-purpose knot

Tautline Hitch Hitch slides freely, yet jams under load, making adjustments to the line easy

Bowline Hitch Forms a secure loop — won’t jam

Copyright ©2005 John E. Sherry

Copyright ©2005 John E. Sherry

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