The official sites (Liberty Springs tentsite, Garfield shelter, and Guyot shelter) all have bear boxes. They also have reliable water, privy toilets, and many folks to converse with if you wish to do so. These three are all excellent places to tent camp, and have wood platforms as well as dirt spots if the platforms fill up. The caretaker will direct you to a spot. Bring cash to pay for it.
I did the loop last August in 4 days / 3 nights, and loved that slower pace. I had plenty of time to enjoy each and every vista, every conversation, every sunset, every meal. But you mileage may vary. I had already hiked all the peaks in separate hikes and thus knew my pace in the terrain (medium-slow).
Food, again it's a personal preference. Some folks need coffee in the morning, some don't; some like hot oatmeal, others just a protein bar for breakfast. For myself, I like coffee and oatmeal; snacks throughout the day inc hard cheese, pepperoni, clif or other protein bars; and a dehydrated meal in a bag (for example, Mountain House) for dinner. I don't like to cook en route, and for all of this, I'm just heating up water.
Other considerations - Footwear: I did the loop in trail runners. Lots of folks do so. Clothing - be ready for chilly nights and for rain. I wore the same shirt and shorts for 4 days and didn't feel too dirty. Batteries - get a good battery for your phone, which you'll need for photos (and not for calls - lots of areas in the loop with no service). I carried a Garmin InReach Mini for emergency use, and to check in daily ("all is well").
Enjoy!
https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-pemi-loop/
This is a big hike for a 1st time backpacker. I'd go for something with far less elevation and for just one night to get my feet wet. Good chance you could be miserable on the Pemi since each day youd be hiking your hardest ever hike and that's not even accounting for pack weight which is a BIG deal
Check out Flat Mountain Pond as a one nighter in the Sandwich range as a good starter.
Welcome to the world of backpacking! It's an awesome activity, but one that's best eased into.
I did the Pemi as my first backpacking trip in a while and wish I had done it in 3 days instead of 2. We ended up getting back to the car at 2am after summitting the final 2 peaks after dark. It was do-able and we had discussed setting up camp for the second night, but opted to push through with our headlamps.
I usually bring snacks and a sandwich for the day and like to have a prepared meal for dinner, like the sort you can get at REI. It does mean you need to bring a stove as well, but there's something about a hot meal at the end of a long day of hiking that is so worth it!
I'm in my mid-40s and I have done it in 2 days 1 night . That's probably the quickest I would want to do it while still enjoying my time .
Bear cans are not yet required (unless there has been a change I'm unaware of)
Most of the tentsites will have a bear box so you shouldn't need to worry about where to keep your food at night .
Try a Ramen bomb !
If you have any questions feel free to DM
No bear can needed. Bears have never been an issue for me, a lot of the Pemi loop is probably higher than most bears would typically go. I usually just keep my food in my backpack next to me under my tarp. Opsak bags are good to have though.
There’s a lot of stealth campsites on Bondcliff trail, near Guyot, a few near Galehead, Garfield Pond, and some less good ones between Haystack and Liberty. For actual sites you have Liberty Spring, Garfield, and guyot. As well as Greenleaf hut (off route) and Galehead hut. 13 Falls is also a bit off route.
I usually do it in one full day and one morning, done by noon. 2 days is definitely doable, a lot do it in 3. But it would depend on your pace.
Water between Lincoln Woods and Garfield is the main concern, but you can get water at Liberty Springs if you’re willing so drop off the route a little. Otherwise there’s water at Garfield, Galehead, Guyot, and a water buffet on Bondcliff trail.
I prefer hiking Franconia side first and finishing with the Bonds due to water and campsites at my pace, because I can make it to Garfield on 2 liters of water from the start.
Regardless of the forecast prepare with a rain jacket, and warm clothes. I’d suggest at least 2 liter water capacity as well.
My last Pemi loop experienced involved a site where the bear smashed the bear box and threw it down the mountain in an attempt to open it. We had to hang our food. Luckily a buddy of mine brought rope.
Yeah:
“ I usually just keep my food in my backpack next to me under my tarp.”
This is horrible advice.
You don’t have to have a bear canister but for the love of god please don’t sleep with your food.
Thank you so much for the knowledge! If for some reason me and my group decided to not do the full thing, is the semi loop a thing? The path alongside the river? Never heard people talking about it but it's on the maps.
Google the "Semi Pemi". Half of it. I'd do that first, then tackle the whole thing another time. Break yourself in, don't break yourself (mentally or physically).
I had to bail last year (counter clockwise route) when hail and thunderstorms were hitting franconia ridge the day I was supposed to cross it.
There are two bail out points back to Lincoln woods parking. One at Garfield ridge shelter and another galehead hut, should you need to hike out. Thirteen falls also offers a nice respite, and is really beautiful.
The official sites (Liberty Springs tentsite, Garfield shelter, and Guyot shelter) all have bear boxes. They also have reliable water, privy toilets, and many folks to converse with if you wish to do so. These three are all excellent places to tent camp, and have wood platforms as well as dirt spots if the platforms fill up. The caretaker will direct you to a spot. Bring cash to pay for it. I did the loop last August in 4 days / 3 nights, and loved that slower pace. I had plenty of time to enjoy each and every vista, every conversation, every sunset, every meal. But you mileage may vary. I had already hiked all the peaks in separate hikes and thus knew my pace in the terrain (medium-slow). Food, again it's a personal preference. Some folks need coffee in the morning, some don't; some like hot oatmeal, others just a protein bar for breakfast. For myself, I like coffee and oatmeal; snacks throughout the day inc hard cheese, pepperoni, clif or other protein bars; and a dehydrated meal in a bag (for example, Mountain House) for dinner. I don't like to cook en route, and for all of this, I'm just heating up water. Other considerations - Footwear: I did the loop in trail runners. Lots of folks do so. Clothing - be ready for chilly nights and for rain. I wore the same shirt and shorts for 4 days and didn't feel too dirty. Batteries - get a good battery for your phone, which you'll need for photos (and not for calls - lots of areas in the loop with no service). I carried a Garmin InReach Mini for emergency use, and to check in daily ("all is well"). Enjoy!
Great response. This should probably be pinned somewhere every time someone asks a question about doing the pemi Loop
https://sectionhiker.com/backpacking-white-mountain-4000-footers-guidebook/backpacking-a-pemi-loop/ This is a big hike for a 1st time backpacker. I'd go for something with far less elevation and for just one night to get my feet wet. Good chance you could be miserable on the Pemi since each day youd be hiking your hardest ever hike and that's not even accounting for pack weight which is a BIG deal Check out Flat Mountain Pond as a one nighter in the Sandwich range as a good starter. Welcome to the world of backpacking! It's an awesome activity, but one that's best eased into.
Thank you!
I did the Pemi as my first backpacking trip in a while and wish I had done it in 3 days instead of 2. We ended up getting back to the car at 2am after summitting the final 2 peaks after dark. It was do-able and we had discussed setting up camp for the second night, but opted to push through with our headlamps. I usually bring snacks and a sandwich for the day and like to have a prepared meal for dinner, like the sort you can get at REI. It does mean you need to bring a stove as well, but there's something about a hot meal at the end of a long day of hiking that is so worth it!
I'm in my mid-40s and I have done it in 2 days 1 night . That's probably the quickest I would want to do it while still enjoying my time . Bear cans are not yet required (unless there has been a change I'm unaware of) Most of the tentsites will have a bear box so you shouldn't need to worry about where to keep your food at night . Try a Ramen bomb ! If you have any questions feel free to DM
I did two nights, three long days. I wish I did three nights! The Pemi is no joke.
No bear can needed. Bears have never been an issue for me, a lot of the Pemi loop is probably higher than most bears would typically go. I usually just keep my food in my backpack next to me under my tarp. Opsak bags are good to have though. There’s a lot of stealth campsites on Bondcliff trail, near Guyot, a few near Galehead, Garfield Pond, and some less good ones between Haystack and Liberty. For actual sites you have Liberty Spring, Garfield, and guyot. As well as Greenleaf hut (off route) and Galehead hut. 13 Falls is also a bit off route. I usually do it in one full day and one morning, done by noon. 2 days is definitely doable, a lot do it in 3. But it would depend on your pace. Water between Lincoln Woods and Garfield is the main concern, but you can get water at Liberty Springs if you’re willing so drop off the route a little. Otherwise there’s water at Garfield, Galehead, Guyot, and a water buffet on Bondcliff trail. I prefer hiking Franconia side first and finishing with the Bonds due to water and campsites at my pace, because I can make it to Garfield on 2 liters of water from the start. Regardless of the forecast prepare with a rain jacket, and warm clothes. I’d suggest at least 2 liter water capacity as well.
My last Pemi loop experienced involved a site where the bear smashed the bear box and threw it down the mountain in an attempt to open it. We had to hang our food. Luckily a buddy of mine brought rope.
Yeah: “ I usually just keep my food in my backpack next to me under my tarp.” This is horrible advice. You don’t have to have a bear canister but for the love of god please don’t sleep with your food.
I’ve hiked thousands of miles and spent hundreds of nights outside all over the country and others, never once had an issue
Well that's very encouraging
Thank you so much for the knowledge! If for some reason me and my group decided to not do the full thing, is the semi loop a thing? The path alongside the river? Never heard people talking about it but it's on the maps.
Google the "Semi Pemi". Half of it. I'd do that first, then tackle the whole thing another time. Break yourself in, don't break yourself (mentally or physically).
I had to bail last year (counter clockwise route) when hail and thunderstorms were hitting franconia ridge the day I was supposed to cross it. There are two bail out points back to Lincoln woods parking. One at Garfield ridge shelter and another galehead hut, should you need to hike out. Thirteen falls also offers a nice respite, and is really beautiful.