Camping in New Hampshire 2008

September 2008

We always enjoy our camping trip. There is so much to explore in the White Mountains area of New Hampshire, we have gone back for a few years now. We stayed at Dolly Copp Campground, which is one of the National Forest campgrounds. Here are some pictures of our campsite. It's a nice site, because nearby is a little stream that acts as a 'sound spa'.

Tent and campsite gear set up beneath a large tarp at Dolly Copp Campground

Wide view of the campsite with a tarp over the picnic table, a tent, and a man unloading gear near a pickup truck

Small cascade flowing over mossy rocks beside the campground stream

Wooded path beside a rocky stream in the forest near the campground

The 1st morning was a brisk 35'. Subsequent mornings were much warmer (47').

I forgot to bring the camera with us on the 1st day of hiking. We went up Mt Jefferson. The mountain has an peak at 5712'; we had a fantastic view from the top. The weather was excellent for the hike: clear, not too hot, not too cold. The hike was relatively short (5 miles round-trip, 2730' elevation gain). Turns out this is very lucky. We were going to do a little extra leg to Mt Clay (which is a sub-peak of Washington, not really it's own mountain). But at the top of Mt Jefferson, the sole of my hiking boot gave way. It came completely detached from the middle of the foot forward. This gives a new definition to flip-flops. Luckily, we saw a couple of back-packers and they had some extra twin. Paul was able to tie the sole back to the rest of the boot. But then on the way back down, the other boot did the exact same thing! Paul cut the rope in half & was able to make temporary repairs on both boots, although it wasn't as secure as the original method. But it got us back down safely.

So that evening, we went to Conway NH. The LL Bean Outlet was our 1st stop, and I found a pair of boots there that fit and felt comfortable. So we got them.

The next day we did 19 Mile Brook to Carter Dome (10.26 miles, 3795' elevation gain). This is a lovely hike. We went to Carter Notch and then up to Carter Dome. If you choose to do this hike, I suggest going the other way. The hike up from Carter Notch was rather difficult! Some pictures of the lovely 19 Mile Brook. (It is called this because it is 19 miles north of the town of Jackson.)

Man with a backpack standing beside a rocky mountain stream with early fall leaves

View of 19 Mile Brook in the forest along the trail to Carter Dome

Carter Notch itself is lovely, with a pond at the bottom and cliffs on each side. Here I am, showing my hiking poles. These hiking poles really make a difference for my knees. And here also is Paul.

Carter Notch pond with steep mountain slopes rising behind it

Woman hiker standing on a rock in front of Carter Notch pond and the cliffs beyond

Man hiker standing on a rock beside Carter Notch pond with the mountains behind him

Here is a picture from part way up the mountain, looking down at the notch. You can see the AMC hut.

Man with a backpack standing on a steep mountain ledge above the notch

View down into Carter Notch showing the AMC hut and two small ponds below

On the way up was a view point. We know because they put a sign. Here I am at the view point. (You can see I put the poles away for the very steep ascent. Don't let my smile deceive you; it was a tough hike up.) And here is Paul giving a good perspective on the height of the trees here. The trees are full size. (The ones behind him are uphill.)

Man pointing to a small sign on a tree marking the viewpoint along the trail

Woman hiker standing on a rocky viewpoint with mountain ridges in the distance

Man hiker standing among full-size trees near the steep upper trail

After the top of Carter Dome we went to Mount Height. The view from Mount Height is excellent. Looking one way you see Mount Washington, you can see the Carter-Moriah Range, and over to the East side (Baldface, Mt Meader). Here are a picture looking back at Carter Notch, Paul at the peak, with the east peaks in the background, and one looking over at the presidential peaks. (You can see the start of the Mt Washington Autoroad.)

Rocky alpine trail crossing low evergreens with a rounded mountain beyond

Man standing on the summit rocks with distant mountain ranges behind him under cloudy skies

Hazy view from Mount Height across layered mountain ridges and rocky foreground ledges

For those that are interested, here is our meal plan for the week. Breakfasts: instant oatmeal plus toast two days, pancakes one day, scrambled eggs & toast one day. Lunch: hummus & tabouli in wraps with lettuce, eaten on the mountain, with Gatoraid. Plus trail mix, peanuts, and plenty of other food. Supper: pasta, sauce, & bread the 1st night. An Indian dish (green beans & potatoes), rice, & nann. Chili over fire-baked potato plus corn bread. (I had made the indian dish & the chili at home.) Baked beans, 'smart dogs', fire-baked potato. S'mores each night. Plus we had some fresh apples we got at an orchard & some apple cider. We gained weight.

Our last day hiking we went up Black Mountain Ski Trail (3.2 mi, 1475' elevation gain). There are a number of Black Mountains in the immediate area of the White Mountains; you would think they would come up with more interesting names. Not sure how good of a ski trail it would be. It is wide but rather steep for the bulk of the hike. Near the top there is a cabin (available for rent). The summit provides an excellent view of Carter Notch.

View from the trail toward surrounding peaks during the Black Mountain hike

View across colorful fall foliage toward rounded mountain peaks framed by bare trees

The fall folliage was really showing by this point.

Closer view of a nearby mountain slope showing patches of early fall color

Us at the top.

Man hiker posing on the trail among low evergreens and fall foliage

Woman hiker posing on a rocky section of trail among low evergreens

This hike is near the village of Jackson. This is a very pretty village. There is a lovely river running through town, with pretty falls. The town has made this area a preserve open to the public.

Broad rocky falls in Jackson with a green bridge and early autumn trees above the water

River and rocky falls in Jackson with mountain ridges and bright fall foliage in the distance

They have a small information section. We thought this 'snow roller' was very interesting; it was used to pack the snow down rather than plowing, and sleighs would be used for transportation.

Man reading an outdoor interpretive sign in a grassy riverside area in Jackson

Historic wooden snow roller displayed outdoors with an informational sign in front

Then we headed back home on Friday. We were about 5 miles from the campground when the rain started. Can't argue with the timing!

Updated March 2026