Off-trail tent sites?

[GreatDivide14]

Most of my hiking has been in the relative flatlands of IN, the Land of the 10-Foot Contour. It doesn't take a genius to find a flat spot with good water around there. What about in the mountains? To break it down:

1. level ground? Do I need to find a region of sparse contour lines, or can I expect to find something based on other factors?

2. good surface? I know that in some mountain ranges (Absarokas, etc.) the white parts of the map are too rocky for a tent floor. Where can I expect to find tundra, or would you rather chastize me for thinking of camping on tundra? I might steer clear anyway.

3. a break in the trees? RMNP's little-traveled Forest Canyon is short on dry flat spots big enough for a tent. What about the Sierras, etc? Any way to judge what the ground cover will be like from a map alone?

Thanks for any advice...David.

[EdK]

David...Most of my experience comes from the mountains in Southern Ca., which are kissin'-cousins to the great Sierras to the north. Lots of great flat areas, even in the most mountainous terrain. What I do try to stay away from, are the delicate green areas....grassy meadows, fern areas and the like. I've gotten into the habit of finding a bare area, free from major uncomfortable rocks and such, and put down there. There are many such areas to be found and my sleeping pad usually makes up for the harder ground. Ed

[wayne-o]

yes on the topo map, that where i found some great coves, balds , etc in north carolina just looking at he lay of the land. ED gave me a big piece of tyvek that doesn't weigh much at all, it makes a greatr buffer against small rocks as a lightweight ground sheet if the ground is not ideal. IN north carolina at least, i'm spoiled as they have this thick grass across much of the area and balds and its like carpet to your tent

[NoKnees]

Most of my time has been central to northern Sierra... And well, rarely have I ever had trouble finding a nice place for at least two people. It was tougher when I only hiked with a tarp above timberline, but even then there always seemed to be an option when their needed to be one... Well, I do seem to remember one camp site as a scout that became a water bed after about 6 straight hours of hard rain, but that was our fault... Lesson learned.. :)

Gimpy..