No issues with open carry or concealed. As long as your not a prohibited person and 21 your GTG. I normally carry a 9mm on the side of my pack, be it my P226, or a Star Firestar plus that I use for a beater gun.
As far as the area where your hiking, if I can help you out a bit, try not to camp at Judy Springs, I know it's where there's water close by, but everyone camps there, and sometimes you get idiots that will roll their coolers of beer 3mi in there and have a party. If I have to recommend a nice place to camp i'd say go down along the creek above the water fall on Seneca Creek. There's also a spot below the falls as well, but it is a bit damp.
What is your hiking route plan?? I know most of the trails, I can help you out.