Lost Bridge, I pick South over North Bridge; Gear Review: Esbit Camp Stove
Lost Bridge North is great, but I liked its sister campground a little better so I marked it as a three star. The North campground is a lot bigger and seems a little more crowded. Having said that it is very nice and is a solid option if the South is full.
GEAR REVIEW: Esbit Camp Stove = 3 stars. I bought one of these stoves at REI for $12.95 plus tax. It weighs 3.25 ounces and comes with 6 fuel tabs. They purport to be nearly odorless and no ash residue. That is kind of true.
The tabs do have a slight odor when burning but it is not bad. There is no "ash" residue from the fuel tab but it does leave a little chemical residue where the tab was sitting.
You should know that the fuel tabs last about 10-12 minutes long and therefore are really only good for bringing one or two cups of water to a boil. If you want to cook for longer than that you will need to use multiple fuel tabs. The tabs are also a little more difficult to light, especially if there is a wind. Plan on using multiple matches. Once the tab is fully engulfed you don't have mach to worry about it staying lit.
It is a great alternative to a fuel stove for backpacking because of the weight, but it comes with its limitations. I give it a three stars for weight and price.