Location
Located at 4,313 feet, near treeline in Cascade Ravine, The Perch consists of a lean-to, and four tent platforms. It is located on the Perch Path, a few hundred yards from both the Israel Ridge Path and the Randolph Path. Among the RMC camps it is closest to the Gulfside Trail, the route of the Appalachian Trail, and it is often at capacity on summer and fall weekends. Water is available from a spring 125 feet to the east of the shelter.
The Facility
The lean-to shelter accommodates eight people. Each tent platform accommodates one large tent, but two of them can accommodate two smaller tents together. Both lean-to and tent platforms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping on bare ground is prohibited at or near the Perch.
Overnight Fees
A caretaker visits on Saturday nights and holidays, and comes every evening to greet guests and collect fees. Overnight guests must have a means of payment with them: cash or credit card.
Fee Table
Onsite
There are no mattresses or cooking equipment at the Perch. The shelter has an outhouse equipped with a composting toilet. Water is available from Cascade Brook, which crosses the Perch Path approximately 50 yards east of the shelter. To maintain the purity of the water supply for future campers, the RMC asks that you wash all dishes in the washpit, located between the lean-to and tent platforms. Please pack out food scraps. No open fires are permitted at The Perch. Please note that use of liquid-fuel stoves is prohibited inside RMC camps.
Camping
The Perch is located within a Forest Protection Area. If you plan to camp, be aware that because of unsuitable terrain and vegetation it will be necessary to travel more than one quarter mile away from the camps to find a suitable location. Camping in the alpine zone is strictly prohibited unless there is at least two feet of snowpack. To protect this fragile area from overuse, U.S. Forest Service backcountry personnel routinely patrol for illegal camping. Please refer to the White Mountain National Forest Home Page for more information about Forest Protection Areas. Please see the RMC’s general guidelines for further information.
Important Links:
RMC Shelters general guidelines: are you prepared?
Higher Summits Forecast via Mt. Washington Observatory
Meet our Caretakers
RMC jobs: be a caretaker
About our composting toilets
White Mountain National Forest home page
Appalachian Mountain Club home page
