HIKES & EVENTS

SUSTAINING MEMBERS ONLY: GayOutdoors Gathering Weekend

Camping

DATE: Aug 03, 2018
END DATE: Aug 05, 2018

Hike/Event Location: Hinsdale NH

Trip Leader(s)


Gandalf
Thornton, NH United States

Meeting Time: 2:00 PM

Max # People: 40

Hike Guiding / Event Fee: Yes, but only to cover shared expenses, and I too am paying

Hike Difficulty Level:

Easy

(Do you qualify to attend with this hike difficulty rating? Click Here.)

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Disclaimer: The club and its members take no responsibility and will not be held responsible for any injuries or accidents that may occur during club events. Outdoor sports are inherently dangerous and accidents will happen. By joining the club or participating in any events posted on our website you are taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being. Anyone with an internet connection can post a trip on our web site. It is your responsibility to determine if this person has the experience and competence to lead the trip. We do not certify or confirm the qualifications of any of our members to lead or participate in trips.
Summary

Join us for a weekend retreat at MountainSide campground in Hinsdale, NH; a private natural setting nestled in the hills of Southern New Hampshire!

MountainSide is perfect to spend a leisurely weekend without having to break the bank! We have special pricing for this weekend. Tenting is $20 per night for singles and $35 for couples; plus a $10 event fee to pay for the social events held during the weekend. How’s that for a deal!  

MountainSide offers a variety of lodging options, from campsites and campers, to a bunk house and cabins. RV’s are also welcome, without hook ups. For tenting, we’ll be given a choice of tent sites to share with other members: Indian Pipe, Site #12, Site #11 Tres Bon, Orchard, Hillside and Back 40. Additional charges will apply if you choose another option besides tenting.

MountainSide is a men's only campground in beautiful Hinsdale, NH, just across the river from Brattleboro, VT. The campground will be closed for the weekend for our exclusive use! Please note that the campground will NOT be clothing-optional this weekend.

The campground is a small horse farm with rolling hay fields, a large wooded area, a house, a barn and several buildings, including a guest house and bunkhouse.  A large grassy tent area overlooks the southern mountains of Vermont and offers colorful sunsets.  The owners, Dave and Mike, have been longtime GO members and are excited about having our camping weekend at their campground. ONLY SUSTAINING MEMBERS WHO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE CLUB CAN JOIN US.

The campground has private restrooms with hot showers. Everyone is responsible for their own trash so don’t forget to bring your trash bags. The campground will take your recyclables, glass and cans only.

The Canteen is the ideal location for meals and our Saturday night potluck. It’s a covered area with 6 or 7 picnic tables, gas grill, gas stove/oven, wood pellet smoker, sink, and small refrigerator. Coffee [with cream/sugar] will be provided Saturday and Sunday at 7AM but you’ll need your own coffee mug.

Meals: You are on your own with regard to meals. There is a gas grill at the canteen; however it cannot accommodate everyone so bring your own camping stove/grill. There are many reasonably-priced restaurants in the Hinsdale/Brattleboro area should you wish to dine out.  

MountainSide is very “dog friendly” so bring your pet! Please let the owner know when you register that you are bringing your dog.

The popular gay nude swimming areas Rock River and Ledges/Harriman Reservoir is a short half hour ride which is perfect on a warm summer day!

Many trails are located on the property, as well as adjoining State Forest preserves. You can hike many locations from MountainSide. Activities in the area includes hiking/swimming at nearby Kilburn Pond and Pisgah State Park, a climb up to Wantastiquet or hike up to Daniels Mountain from the campground; a 2.5 hour hike. Madame Sherri Forest is nearby with a variety of hiking trails to explore. You can hang out at the campground playing bocce ball with other campers, throwing a Frisbee, or relax in the sun. Mountain bikes are welcome – they have many mountain biking trails. There is a ‘rec-hall’ with a pool table and table tennis.

There will be several outdoor activities posted for the weekend – and they will be posted as separate events on the website. Jon and I plan on running an easy hike/swim excursion to pristine Kilburn Pond at Pisgah State Park on Saturday. We encourage members to lead an outdoor activity. We have some trip ideas. You may have an activity that you would love to share with other members such as hiking & swimming excursions, biking, paddling, bocce ball tournament, morning yoga sessions, etc. We can help you organize it or pair you off with an experienced trip leader to co-lead the trip if you are a little nervous about doing it yourself. Please post your event at the website and make note that it is part of the NH GO Gathering.

Social Events:

Evening activities is where members can relax and socialize with everyone else.

Friday Night Beer Blast at the Canteen 7PM: We’ll start off the weekend on Friday night with our traditional Beer Blast beside a communal bonfire. Bring a six pack of your favorite local craft beer to share in our communal coolers and sample what everyone else brought! We’ll have name badges and it’s a great way to meet the gang.

Saturday Night Potluck at the Canteen 6:30PM: On Saturday night, bring something tasty to the potluck to share with all campers. Please focus on main dishes since we usually have so many appetizers and dessert that it gets thrown away; packaged food usually does not eaten.

Saturday Night Fireworks: After the potluck, it's relax time watching the sunset into the breathtaking hills of Vermont, party with a bonfire and later on, FIREWORKS!!!

Reservations:

You must be a SUSTAINING MEMBER and first RSVP on this page. You will have to pay a $10 event fee separately. Make your check payable to GO and mail it to 676 Upper Mad River Road, Thornton, NH.  This fee is for the ice in the Beer Blast coolers, firewood, potluck accessories and fireworks; any unspent money will be donated to GayOutdoors.

In order to reserve your camping site, book directly with Dave the owner, by calling 603-398-7871 or through their website. Be sure to mention GO Gathering. Before accepting your RSVP, he will first verify that you have signed up on this page and that you are a SUSTAINING MEMBER. You can let Dave know your preference for a tenting site or he can choose one for you. If you prefer to upgrade to one of the campers/cabins or in the bunk house; or you have an RV, discuss this with Dave when you register. A deposit is not required but you will be asked to pay onsite when registering with either cash, check or PayPal; credit cards not accepted.

Check in on Friday is between 2-10PM. You must check in at the campground no later than 10:00PM Friday night. Dave and Mike will make sure you get checked-in at registration and find the perfect site for your camping needs. These guys do a fantastic job and deserve a nice pat on the butt!

You are encouraged to reserve as soon as possible since the weekend is limited to 40 people.

Never been camping? Never been to a GO Gathering? Have any questions? Post a comment and a fellow member will be happy to reply!

This is such a great event and we look forward to being with our GO sustaining members this August!

Directions To Trailhead Parking Lot

Conveniently located just 2 hours from Boston MA, Providence RI, Albany NY. and Hartford CT.  NYC and Montreal PQ are only 4 hours away. 

MountainSide
87 McDonald Drive
Hinsdale, NH 03451

Use Google to map out driving directions. Enter your starting address and the campground address. 

 

Trip Leader

Gandalf

Outdoor Fitness Level: Very Strenuous


Thornton, NH


United States
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members signed up for this event

JDNnh

Outdoor Fitness Level: Very Strenuous


Thornton, NH


United States
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Attended
Robert.L

Outdoor Fitness Level: Very Strenuous


Bowdoin, ME


United States
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Attended
Cartman

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Framingham, MA


United States
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Attended
PeacefulPines

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Searsburg, VT


United States
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No Show
snowsurfer

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate


Framingham, MA


United States
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Attended
beyoungyu

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Harrisburg, PA


United States
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Attended
murph

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Quincy, MA


United States
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Attended
hudsonvalleyguy

Outdoor Fitness Level: Easy to Moderate


Hudson, NY


United States
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Attended
Scorpione

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate


Boston / Cape Ann, MA


United States
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Attended
bluemanma

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate


Tewksbury, MA


United States
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No Show
HikerBlue

Outdoor Fitness Level: Strenuous


Braintree, MA


United States
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Attended
baezfred

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Lancaster, NH


United States
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Attended
bap4201

Outdoor Fitness Level: Easy to Moderate


Belgrade Lakes, ME


United States
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Attended
Dimsum

Outdoor Fitness Level: Easy to Moderate


Weymouth , MA


United States
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Attended
guest member
Brett

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Wilmington, DE


United States
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Attended
GlennCanoe

Outdoor Fitness Level: Easy to Moderate


Rochester NH area, NH


United States
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Attended
guest member
jbb17

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate


Burlington, VT


United States
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Attended
b.c.

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Revere, MA


United States
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Attended
Richardg

Outdoor Fitness Level: Strenuous


NYC/Hudson Valley, NY


United States
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Attended
vwgreg

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate


Enfield, CT


United States
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No Show
vmg1207

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Cambridge, MA


United States
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Attended
Discuss This Trip/Event
HikerLegs Posted Jul 26, 2018 at 11:20 AM

I had no problem booking with Dave Herod at Mountainside. I sent an email and received a response the same day. Dave generally doesn't take any money upfront. Just pay him when you get there. Cash is always appreciated. I will likely go to Rock River Saturday if the weather is conducive. Another possibility is a hike up Stratton Mountain in Vermont. I'll decide when I see what the forecast is.

Gandalf Posted Jul 8, 2018 at 7:43 AM

The address is 87 MacDonald Drive, Hinsdale NH 03451. I'll be changing it on the website.

Scorpione Posted Jul 5, 2018 at 1:45 PM

On the phone I received courteous attention. EMail confirmation came few days later. I was surprised no advance payment was requested. I plan to go to Rock River early Friday afternoon and back to the campground by +/- 6 pm for an informal visit to the sanctuary.. No official posting therefore; but happy to drive there with somebody else if time is mutually convenient and weather is permitting. Guess no chaperon is needed once there. Greetings to All.

Gandalf Posted Jul 5, 2018 at 12:20 PM

That's odd MountainSide is not confirming. I would try again. Nobody has posted an official trip to Rock River from the GO Gathering. If anyone is planning on going, please post an official trip on the GO website and indicate it's part of the GO Gathering. Otherwise, I suspect this may occur once people congregate at the campground Friday night to determine who wants to go.

Dimsum Posted Jul 5, 2018 at 11:37 AM

I called the Mountainside for the reservation of the camper and sent them an email on their site but didn’t get responded to my email. How do i know for sure i got accept for the reservation? i want to know any member will go to the Rock River?

Gandalf Posted Jul 3, 2018 at 8:24 PM

BRINGING A GUEST: It's clear on this page that anyone attending must be a sustaining member and that includes guests. Anyone is welcome to become a sustaining member. We hope that your friend [guest] will join our club and so that he may join us in this year's GO Gathering!

HikerBlue Posted Jun 2, 2018 at 4:28 PM

Yay! I'm excited to see averybdoy!

Gandalf Posted May 31, 2018 at 8:46 PM

I do not know the status of campsites, bunk house or campers. Please call MountainSide at 603-398-7871. The sooner you call Dave to reserve your campsite and/or camper, the better selection you will have.

Scorpione Posted May 31, 2018 at 8:26 PM

Stayed once in the bunk house. Is it available? Nice retreat You have chosen, Stayed once in the bunk-house. Is it available? Luciano

Gandalf Posted May 2, 2018 at 10:58 AM

REGISTERING AS A COUPLE: If you are registering as a couple, make sure each of you sign up on this page. We have a limit of 40 people so if your partner is not signed up here on this page and we reach our maximum, they will not allowed to participate.

Gandalf Posted May 2, 2018 at 7:36 AM

IMPORTANT: MountainSide will NOT accept your RSVP unless they see you signed up on this page and can confirm that you are a sustaining member. It appears some members are contacting MountainSide to RSVP without signing up first.

Hiking, backpacking, camping or vacation adventures, GayOutdoors [GO] has been the LGBTQ outdoorzy community leader for the last 22 years. We are an informal group of diverse hiking enthusiasts in the United States with a shared love of the mountains who prefer hiking with friends. We invite you to join us on our hikes, to post hikes for other members to join you and to share your hiking photos, stories and advice.

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