Hut-to-Hut in the Presidentials
Hiking Trip Details
- Location: White Mountains, New Hampshire
- Length: 8 days
- Grade: Strenuous to strenuous plus
- Accommodations: Inns, backcountry huts, and mountain lodge
- Group size: 5 – 12
- Dates: July 28 – August 3, 2012
- Land Cost (US$): $2,295
Hiking Trip Summary
Adding to our collection of New England trips, this year we are offering a European-style hut-to-hut trip in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
The White Mountains, a 70-mile swath of rugged Appalachian peaks that run through New Hampshire to Maine, are as rich in hiking history and tradition as the European Alps. Founded in 1875, the Appalachian Mountain Club carved out its first trail in 1879 and built its first mountain hut in 1888. Since then it has built 6 more huts and now maintains 1,500 miles of trails as it fulfills its commitment to “promote the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of the Appalachian region.”
During this 8-day trip we will hike the 40-mile section of the Appalachian Trail between Franconia Notch and Pinkham Notch that takes in the highest peaks of the White Mountains, the Presidentals. Along this route we will experience the diversity of the White Mountains’ natural beauty: cascading waterfalls, rich wetlands, ancient forests, and rocky, wind-swept summits with their fragile alpine tundra.
We will stay at rustic mountain huts warmed by the camaraderie of fellow hikers and comfortable country inns steeped in hearty down-to-earth New England character. What better way to experience these stalwart and majestic mountains?
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Boston’s Logan Airport and transfer to North Woodstock, New Hampshire
The group will be met at the Boston’s Logan International Airport at 1:00 pm for a group transfer to our first night’s accommodation in New Hampshire. Welcome dinner and orientation. Overnight at a comfortable inn.
Day 2: After a heartly New England breakfast our day will begin with a short transfer on the Kancamagus Highway. We begin our hike in the Lincoln Woods, crossing a 160’ suspension bridge over the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River. The trail is relatively flat as we hike into one of the largest roadless areas in the Eastern United States called the Pemmigewasset Wilderness. Hiking along the old railroad bed of the former East Branch and Lincoln Railroad that was once used for logging operations, in about 3 miles we’ll join the Franconia Brook trail and we begin climbing towards Garfield Ridge and the Galehead Hut ( 3,800’). This hut is the most remote hut in the system, built to withstand gale force winds. Once reaching the hut we’ll have the option to take a short hike to the top of Galehead Mountain with fantastic views of the White Mountain National Forest.
Day 3: Today we will be hiking the section Appalachian Trail, which connects Galehead Hut with Zealand Hut, and crosses over the three summits of South Twin (4,902’), Mt. Guyot, (4,580’), and Zealand Mountain (4,240’), all offering magnificent views from their rocky summits. Once reaching the top of our third 4,000 footer, Zealand Mountain, we’ll descend steeply, one section on a ladder. After a stop at Zeacliff outlook to take in its far reaching views, we’ll soon reach the Zealand Hut, with its cascading falls nearby.
Day 4: Though a somewhat shorter day, we will have an option to hike to the summit of Mt. Tom (4,051’) and/or Mt. Field (4,340’). Today we follow the A-Z trail which begins a short distance from the hut, and will eventually lead us to the Height of Land (3,900’), the col between Mt. Tom and Mt. Field. On our way to our destination of Crawford Notch, we will hike by beaver ponds, through pretty birch forests, climb steep ascents, and cross over picturesque brooks. Crawford Notch is a narrow gorge through the White Mountains, and the head of the Saco River, where it begins its 136-mile journey to the Atlantic. We will overnight in a mountain lodge with private rooms.
Day 5: Heading up to the rocky summits of the Presidentials, we will hike over both Mt. Webster (3,910’) and Mt. Jackson (4,052’) on our way to Mizpah Hut. As we experience a wide variety of terrain along this route, our route takes to the wonderful vantage points of Elephant Head and Bugle Cliff, and the two summits of Webster and Jackson, from which we can see Crawford Notch, and the vast area of the surrounding mountains. After reaching our highest point today, the trail follows a ridge which undulates through forests and open meadows, finally reaching the Mizpah Hut, our accommodation for the night.
Day 6: Today we will be following one of the oldest maintained footpaths in the United States, the Crawford Path. It is a classic New England hike. The route will take us over the high, open, rocky summits of Mt. Pierce (4,310’), Mt. Eisenhower (4,780’), Mt. Franklin (5,003’), and Mt. Monroe (5,384’) before reaching the Lake of the Clouds Hut just below the summit of Mt. Washington. Mt. Washington’s average temperature is 26.5 degrees, the average wind is 35.3 mph, and it receives on average 42 ft. of snow every year, and usually sees some snowfall every month.
Day 7: Leaving the hut our route winds it was though boulders and in about an hours’ hiking time, we’ll reach the highest point of our trip, Mt. Washington’s summit. From this bustling and windy peak we’ll begin our descent into the valley. Hiking through alpine tundra and down through Tuckerman’s ravine, a thrill for skiers in the spring, we’ll finish at Pinkham notch, a rugged u-shaped pass through the White Mountains. From there we will transfer to our inn in the quaint New England village of Jackson for our farewell dinner.
Day 8: After breakfast we will depart for the Boston’s Logan Airport.
Additional Information
Included
All accommodations, all breakfasts, all dinners, van transfers as per itinerary, guides, pick up and drop off at Boston’s Logan airport, AMC membership for a year, lots of great hiking and memories
Not Included
Airfare, lunches, optional/individual transfers or excursions, items not on set dinner menu, beverages, tips to guides, insurance. Allow roughly $200 in additional costs.
Luggage
This hike is not vehicle supported. You will need to carry a moderate sized pack with only the clothing and accessories you will need for the duration of hike. (See our Sample Packing List.) With advances in synthetic clothing and other travel gear, it’s possible to keep your pack weight to 20 lbs. or less including lunch and water.
Any extra luggage or belongings not needed on the hike will be transferred to our last night’s inn in Jackson.
Accommodations and Facilities
During the trip we will be spending one night at an inn in the Franconia Notch area of New Hampshire. The last night will be spent at a comfortable inn in the village of Jackson, New Hampshire.
Four nights will be spent in the AMC White Mountain huts, backcountry “lodges” that offer simple, overnight accommodations in remote and picturesque locations. The huts provide hearty meals, bunks with pillows and blankets, and the comradery of fellow hikers. Snacks are available. As water supplies and energy are limited at the huts, they do not provide showers and the toilets are composting.
One night will be spent at the Highlands Lodge at Crawford Notch, in private rooms with private facilities.
Travel
It is easiest to fly to Boston Logan Airport where we will rendezvous on the first day for a group transfer to our inn in the Franconia Notch area of New Hampshire. This transfer is included in the cost of the trip. It is also possible to fly to Manchester, New Hampshire and transfer to the Boston area by bus.
Who would like this trip?
Our Hut-to-Hut in the Presidentals is great trip for those who have been intrigued by the idea of Appalachian Trail and would like a challenging and inspiring route that offers in a combination of comfortable accommodations and rustic mountain huts. All of the huts are situated in beautiful, peaceful natural settings, where we have the opportunity to be among the wilderness in the company of other hikers. The hiking in this area is rugged, and you can expect the trails to have sections that are steep, rocky, and in some areas there are many roots. Like our Western Maine Hut Hike, this trip offers a taste of European style hut hiking close to home.
Meeting point
We will meet as a group on Day 1 at Boston Logan Airport.
Ending Point
The trip will end on the last day with morning transfer back to Boston Logan Airport.
For a more detailed itinerary that includes elevation gain, loss and distance, or to register please call.
