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| The Quay 5.27.2013 |
Hello, I would just like to say thank you to any and all who visit this new Randolph Mountain Club (RMC) Backcountry Blog. In our ever-connected world, sharing the sublime beauty and "The Worst Weather in America" is now only a touch away. I hope you continue to follow RMC Caretakers throughout the seasons, and throughout the years, and that these entries inspire new adventures, conjure up old memories, and encourage you to get back to one of the most astounding and intricate landscapes on the planet, the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Be sure to read former RMC Caretaker Blogs on the RMC Website as well!
Happy Trails,
Mac Griffin, Gray Knob Caretaker, Spring/Summer 2013
For the most detailed information about RMC, please check out RMC's website at:
http://www.randolphmountainclub.org
Here's some basic information about RMC:
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| The Quay after a Memorial Day Snowstorm 5.27.2013 |
Our Mission StatementThe purpose of the Randolph Mountain Club is to promote enjoyment of the
Randolph, New Hampshire area through hiking, trail development, upkeep of camps
and shelters, and sharing the collective knowledge of its members.
The Randolph Mountain Club maintains a network of nearly 102 miles of hiking trails, principally on the northern slopes of Mount Madison, Mount Adams, and Mount Jefferson in the Presidential range of the White Mountain National Forest, and on the Crescent Range in the town of Randolph, NH.
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| The Quay with Spring Snow 5.27.2013 |
RMC's trails are maintained through the joint efforts of volunteers and a seasonal, paid professional trail crew as well as a part time fall trail crew. The RMC also maintains two cabins, Crag Camp (capacity 20) and Gray Knob (capacity 15); one lean-to, The Perch (capacity 8); and one Adirondack-style shelter, the Log Cabin (capacity 10). There are also four tent platforms at The Perch. All camps are available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. A caretaker is in residence at Gray Knob throughout the year and during the summer months there is a second caretaker at Crag Camp. RMC's facilities are located on the White Mountain National Forest, and operate under a special use permit issued by the U.S. Forest Service.
The Randolph Mountain Club is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors, who also perform many of the day to day tasks of the club. The Board meets every other month, throughout the year.
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| Quay Path, you're almost at Gray Knob! 5.27.2013 |
Home to the Randolph Mountain Club is the valley bounded by the north slope of the Presidential Range and the south slope of the Crescent Range in beautiful New Hampshire. These are some of the highest peaks in the Northeast, and are at the heart of the northern half of the White Mountain National Forest.
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| Log Cabin Cutoff 5.27.2013 |
Traveling through the heart of the White Mountain National Forest, US Route 2 bisects Randolph valley, and offers outstanding views of the rugged Presidential Range, including Mounts Madison, Adams, Jefferson and Washington-- the famed "Home of the World's Worst Weather." Crisscrossing the Crescent and Presidential Ranges are 100 miles of trails maintained by the RMC. The RMC trail system is one of the densest and most interesting trail systems in the country, offering short walks to lovely cascades, waterfalls, ledges and viewpoints, pleasant and relaxing forest paths, as well as the challenges of the mighty Presidentials. The RMC offers members and friends a free hiker's logbook for recording a challenging feat; hiking all 100+ miles of RMC trails. If you have completed your logbook, please send us a photo and you'll appear on The RMC 100 Wall of Fame!
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| Randolph Path 5.27.2013 |
The Randolph Mountain Club maintains four shelters in the Northern Presidentials: Gray Knob, Crag Camp, The Log Cabin and The Perch.
All of our shelters are open year-'round. If you are planning on visiting an RMC shelter, please review the information on your intended destination, and please read our general guidelines. These resources should answer all your questions regarding RMC's facilities.
The camps are extremely busy on Washington's birthday, Victoria Day (Canadian holiday), Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Columbus Day weekends. The US Forest Service tent platforms, off the Valley Way on Mount Madison, is another available option, when RMC shelters are likely to be busy. Reservations are not accepted at any of our shelters; usage is on a first-come, first-served basis.
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| Amphibrach and Monaway Junction 5.27.2013 |
If space is not available, be prepared to camp. In order to protect the areas around the shelters from overuse, the Forest Service has designated the area within a quarter mile of RMC shelters as Forest Protection Areas. There is no camping permitted within a Forest Protection Area.
The RMC relies on visitors to carry out their own trash and to help keep the cabins clean. RMC facilities are built on the White Mountain National Forest and operate under a special use permit, in partnership with the US Forest Service.
To support the caretakers' wages and to maintain the camps, fees are charged on a per person, per night basis. If a caretaker is absent, please mail fees to the Treasurer, c/o Randolph Mountain Club, P.O. Box 279, Gorham, NH, 03581. You can help the RMC keep its fees low by paying your fees and by becoming a member.
