Many, many place along the trail you couldn't get 200' off with a dozer.
Dogs are great to hike with but please don't stay at a shelter with them, plus no dogs are allowed in the Smokies tho, I love to hike with mine tho,
I had the same question when looking at a 16 mile leg w/ 5500' elevation gain between designated sites - can I just find a spot and stop. Sounds like if the guidebook says "camping is permitted except where noted otherwise," I am good to go? A related question - once my body is broken in, does 16 miles and 5500' elevation take the 13 hours that I get with my 1.5 miles/hr plus half for each thousand feet rule? What is a long day?
No, just because a guide books says camping is permitted doesn't mean it is legal. The writers for the guide books do make mistakes and sometimes regulations change after the guide books are published. It is best to contact the appropriate agency for the correct regulations. You can also contact the ATC for additional information. As to your other question it depends on several factors as well. The terrain, the length of the climb the degree of the climb just to mention a few.
Great Post!!!!! Normally a hundred or so yards before or after a stream or near a nice overlook you'll be able to find a "Soft Trail", a lightly used trail that can lead to fantastic spots! I'll drop my pack just off that initial trail & explore the area. This is how I always backpack & I have found some some beautiful spots. These rarely used spots are usually clean & serene! Try not to camp too close to the streams or the overlook/view points to scar the earth. Enjoy!
~Boots
Take Time to Watch the Trees Dance with The Wind........Then Join In........
Also as you get farther up the trail & start hiking longer days, you're routine will be to camel up in the evening when you hit a stream then hike on as the confidence in your stealth hunting improves.
Take Time to Watch the Trees Dance with The Wind........Then Join In........
Ever since the norovirus 2 years ago down south, I am pretty much done with shelters
Very happy in my lightweight, bug free, private tent
I'm pretty sure you can only stealth camp where it is illegal. Otherwise, it's called dispersed camping.
Came across this article. Extreme Stealth camping...
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/13/ny...rees.html?_r=0
I opt to stealth whenever possible. Shelters are ok in poor conditions but that's also when they are usually the most full.