Printable View
Eliza Brook is a nice little shelter -- sleeps eight if two people sleep on the lip at the front of the shelter. Lots of tentsites around and plenty of water just north of the shelter from Eliza Brook. It has a fairly new looking bear box as well. Privy is up the hill behind the shelter. It has the advantage of being the last free site south of the Whites.
I stayed in the shelter overnight this weekend & it was completely full. Good times!
-- Ivy
There are several level, rock-free tentsites and hammock hanging trees close to the shelter. http://community.webshots.com/photo/...76803217TXoHIX
http://community.webshots.com/photo/...76803046lHdIKM
Yes P Ivy - One can almost hear the collective 'WHEW' when Eliza Brook comes into sight for many SOBOs. If for no other reaon than they have just hiked possibly the most breathtaking (literally and figuratively) section of the trail, but moreso because they are back in a good old lean-to area and especially outside the seemingly nefarious auspices of the gdam AMC.
Two years running now my mates and I have uttered the same marvel at Eliza Brook and to be camping again. After a stay at Madison Hut last year and a chance to read 'Not Without Peril' about the history of deaths in the Presidentials, I (should not have been) was shocked that the Mt. Washington observatory had moved the weather satellite TV screens down to the basement where one has to pay three dollars to get a look at them. Last year they were in full view of the public but now one has to pay to see if it is safe to move on or how much time one might have to make it to Lakes of the Clouds or Madison Hut.
But worse, at 5:30 pm we were told we would have to run to 'Lakes' by the employees if we wanted to beat a very dangerous oncoming storm.
The storm never came, it never was coming - they just wanted the hikers out of there. We were told to leave as soon as we reached the peak. People who have hiked up there might know that a few minutes at least to take it in is in order.
This is the experience of the AMC. Thank God for Eliza Brook. BTW - the hutmaster at Lakes - Becky - is a great person (Madison hut master last year) and makes hikers feel welcome. Hopefully she'll be there for years to come.
Peace
Quote:
Originally Posted by poison_ivy
This shelter is a little long in the tooth, but the tent sites are nice even if they are defined by stones and rope. For some reason the bear box was padlocked when we stayed here Friday night (10/05/07). Much of the area is roped off with signs indicating forest restoration in progress. There is a small fire pit of loose stones, which I prefer over the metal contraptions. The water source is Eliza Brook and is running strong.
We arrived just before dark thinking we had the site to ourselves, when a youth group arrived. Apparently, the adult leader takes a group annually to this site the Friday of Columbus Day weekend to day hike the Kinsman's on Saturday and out on Sunday. They appeared to be good kids, but they were about nine of them and being 8th graders could not help but be a little annoying.;)
The trail up the Kinsman's was rugged, but not as bad as we thought it might be. There were no blow-downs to speak of, just some nice, solitary climbing and spectacular views from South Kinsman. Hiking north from here is the beginning of the crowded Whites. When we arrived in Franconia Notch on Sunday the parking lots were overflowing up and down the Notch.
The USFS is proposing to reconstruct Eliza Brook Shelter. The project is listed in their Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA)
The proposal for this project is still in development, but is expected to be posted in the next few weeks. A 30-day scoping period will be provided for public comment.
A decision on the fate of this project will be made in April, with possible construction beginning as early as September 2010.
Replacement was approved and the AMC built a new shelter in the Fall of 2010.
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/show...?i=43985&c=634
Eliza Brook Shelter was completely redone in 2010, using hand-crafted logs. There is a sign asking hikers NOT to vandalize these logs and, unbelievably, hikers have not done so!! My stay was quite pleasant.
There is a bear box, eating area, and (literally) tons of water available at the adjacent stream.
Bizarrely, there was no shelter log book available.
Yes it is a nice place to camp for the NoBo's before they take on the Kinsmen the next day.Quote:
Originally Posted by GoldenBear
its been 20 years, but eliza brook shelter was a nice place (even though we were sobo).
the new shelter looks awsome!