Safety and Outdoor Ethics
The US Forest Service is committed to a culture of safety and ethical use of the land, for our employees and volunteers and for our visitors. However, a national forest is a wild place and we urge you to be properly trained and equipped for whichever of the many opportunities, activities, and challenges you choose to participate in while you are visiting the White Mountain National Forest.
Mud Safety
The calendar says spring has arrived in the White Mountains. However, New Englanders know there is one more hurdle to get over before hiking gets in full swing – mud season. Mud season is the transitional time between winter and spring when the combination between snow, rain, and melt creates very wet conditions. Hiking during this time can have major impacts on trails and fragile ecosystems.
Avoiding Trail Damage
Exactly what you SHOULDN'T do. Walking off-trail threatens to widen the trail or damage vegetation
Super saturated soils create deep and wide mud puddles sometimes covering whole sections of trail. These conditions make the trails most susceptible to soil compaction and erosion. Soil compaction reduces the ability for vegetation to grow and the ground to absorb water causing additional flooding potential. This leads to more erosion exposing rocks and roots.
In addition to mud, snow monorails – hard packed snow in the center tread of a trail – exist above and below treeline and endure long into mud season. Walking around monorails widens trails and destroys fragile alpine plants above treeline.
So what’s a hiker with spring fever to do during this muddy mess?
Tips to having a low impact outing:
- Good boots are designed to get muddy! Walk through the mud and stick to the center of the path stepping on rocks whenever possible.
- Choose hikes at low elevations and south-facing slopes. These tend to dry out faster. Avoid steep trails. Durable surfaces like roads, paved trails, or rail trails are also great options at this time of year.
- Be prepared for spring weather to change quickly. Higher elevations may still have winter weather conditions.
- Look for alternative activities until things dry out. Road biking, paddling or scenic driving are great ways to enjoy the Forest while trails dry out.
Do Your Part
To prevent damaging the environment, turn around when the trail is extremely muddy. Soon it will dry out and you’ll be able to enjoy the hike. Whatever you do, don’t widen the trail or damage vegetation by walking around the muddy areas. If you want more information about good alternative early season activities, please contact any of our offices.
Water Safety
Be aware of your surroundings, and follow these guidelines to have a safe and enjoyable spring visit:
- Beware of slick and slippery rocks. Any amount of moisture and rocks become slippery and provide unstable footing.
- If there is a rail, fence, or warning sign - heed it and don't try to go around or slip behind. The safety precautions are appropriately placed, most likely because of other unfortunate incidents at that location.
- Water fluctuates rapidly. If there was a safe stream crossing earlier in the day, it may not be so on the return trip. Be certain to assess if there are any changes and don't assume the conditions are the same.
- View our How Deep is the Water YouTube video - and please be safe.
Bear Safety
Bear canisters are available to rent for free at all of our Ranger Stations and Visitor Centers.
Coolers, food scraps, and backpacks left unattended are snack invitations to a hungry black bear. Normally shy and afraid of humans, bears lose this sense as they become accustomed to even the smallest remnant of food. Even empty food wrappers are enticing to a hungry bear.
Sadly, this can become a dangerous situation for them as they look for food freebies and as a result become repeat offenders due to our negligence.
Enjoying the Forest amongst them is easy if you follow these guidelines.
- Choose the right foods.
- Measure out every meal.
- Repackage your food and toiletries into baggies or small containers.
- Carry the first two meals outside of the canister: lunch and dinner
- At the trailhead, make sure that ALL food, trash, toiletries and scented items will fit inside the canister the first night.
- Put the canister and your kitchen 50 feet from your sleeping area. Leave the canister on the ground. Do not hang the canister from a tree.
Choose foods that are compact, compressible and high in calories. This includes rice, tortillas, jerky, flat pastas, dehydrated powders, nuts, dried fruits, peanut butter, candy and nutritional bars. Try to put as much food in the canister that you can. Think about volume when you purchase food. For example, instead of bread rolls, buy tortillas. Instead of macaroni, choose spaghetti. You get the picture - don’t waste space on bulky food items.
Take food out of its original package. This allows you to fit more food inside a canister and reduces the amount of garbage you generate. Repackage food from boxes, bottles, jars and cans into resealable plastic bags. These bags are flexible and fit into small spaces. Force air out of packages. Poke tiny holes in freeze-dried packages to release the air. Save instructions for cooking and put inside meal bags. Write food contents on outside of bags with a permanent marker.
Carefully count every meal that you will be eating. By doing this, you will save weight and space. Put all the food on a table and plan each meal, snack, drink and condiment. Pre-measure and pre-mix food.
Pack toiletries similarly to foods. Put toothpaste, soap, sunscreen, bug repellent, etc. into small containers. Stores sell small, lightweight plastic containers that work well for this. Don’t take more than you need.
- Less stress, increased peace of mind
- More time at camp to relax instead of thinking of ways to store food
- Guaranteed food supply if bears or other animals visit your camp
- No aborted trips because bears ate your food
- Freedom to camp anywhere: above treeline or away from food storage lockers
- No need to search for the right tree or carry ropes and food sacs for counter-balancing
- More time at camp to relax instead of thinking of ways to store food
- A small table to use, something to sit on
- Increased safety for you and protection of wild animals
Bear Food Storage Requirements
Following safe food storage practices protects both you and the bears:
- Never leave food or coolers unattended. All food, food particles, trash, and coolers need to be secured in a vehicle or trailer.
- Always keep a clean picnic area, campsite, or other area where you may be spending time.
- Don’t leave any food (including condiments), food particles, trash, and coolers out when not in use.
- Store food in bear-resistant units, hard-shelled vehicles or car trunks.
- Never store food in your tent.
Additional rules for camping:
- If your plans include backpacking, bear canisters and bear boxes are the preferred food storage methods.
- You may still use a bear hang if it meets the specifications of being suspended 12 feet off the ground and not less than 6 feet horizontally from any object. If a bear hang does not meet these specifications, it can be cited as improperly stored.
- Keep sleeping areas, tents, and sleeping bags free of food and odor (like toothpaste or deodorant).
- Don’t sleep in clothes you cooked or handled fish or game in.
- Never bury or burn food waste.
- Place sleeping tents at least 100 yards away from food storage and cooking areas.
- Never leave your backpack unattended.
​The feeding of bears, intentional or unintentional, is prohibited on the White Mountain National Forest. Visitors who have not properly stored their food risk their own safety and receiving a citation (36CFR 261.58cc $100). ).
A video introduction to encountering black bears from a White Mountain National Forest Wildlife Biologist.
Additional Resources
- Only You Can Prevent Bear Problems
- Learning to Live with Bears (NH Fish & Game)
Winter Safety
Winter hiking and climbing take special preparation and planning. You must be prepared for extremes of cold, wind, snow and even rain. Skis or snowshoes are almost always needed. Even if there isn’t much snow at the start of your trip sudden storms can quickly change conditions.
Before considering a winter hike, it’s a good idea to be experienced with summer hiking and camping. A minor injury can become life-threatening in the harsh winter environment.
- Be sure that someone knows your trip plans.
- For above-treeline trips an ice axe and crampons are necessities.
Avalanches and ice fall are winter hazards, especially in steeper ravines. Someone in your group should at least always have a basic knowledge of avalanche safety.
Forest Service Snow Rangers post avalanche forecasts advisories for Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines. Warnings are posted at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, Tuckerman Ravine, and are also available on the internet.
Heed the warnings—they could save your life.
Your best defense against hypothermia is your brain: good judgment, preparation and knowledge can help keep you from becoming a victim.
Always have the following:
- Adequate clothing with you, enough to spend a night if an emergency arises.
- Layered clothing is preferable since it allows you to easily adjust to changes in your exertion level.
- Wool, or a synthetic such as polypropylene is best. Cotton should be left at home since it can't keep you warm when it gets wet.
- Good boots designed for winter use (felt pacs or lined double boots) are essential.
Your body is like a furnace, and food and water are needed to keep the fire burning. Drink at least two quarts of water and eat many small meals throughout the day.
If anyone in your group is slowing down, stumbling, shivering or showing any signs of difficulty--don't be afraid to turn back! Don't wait until you or someone in your group is unable to continue. At the first sign, move the person to a sheltered location and rewarm them with warm sweet drinks (if able to drink on their own) and warm, dry clothes.
With proper planning you can enjoy a safe winter trip to the White Mountains.