Appalachian Trail Hut-to-Hut Hiking

Appalachian Trail Hut-to-Hut Hiking Itinerary:

• Day 1

  The trip begins today in New Hampshire’s breathtaking White Mountains. On some departures, we rendezvous at Joe Dodge Lodge in Pinkham Notch and on others we meet at the AMC Highland Center in Crawford Notch (see “Note on Itinerary” below for details).  Feel free to arrive anytime between noon and 2 pm to check in and get comfortable, then plan on meeting as a group for dinner and to review the trip itinerary in detail and discuss gear and other important info.  We’ll stay at the lodge tonight before starting out on our hiking route tomorrow.  Meals provided: buffet lunch and dinner.

• Day 2

  Today the group will hike to the first of our huts along the trail.  The huts are situated in picturesque locations among the White Mountains, where after a solid first day of hiking, you can look forward to a friendly greeting from the hut crew, complete with a piping hot meal and naturalist led evening talks about the natural history of the White Mountains.  On most trips, we can drop our gear at the hut after our first hike then choose from optional out-and-back hikes that will allow us to enjoy some of the surrounding vistas.  See “Note on Itinerary” below for detailed information on which hut we plan to visit today on which of our departures and the associated hiking options. Meals provided: breakfast at the lodge, bag lunch, dinner at the hut.

• Day 3

  Our hut crew prepares wonderful hot breakfast for us today before we hit the trail once again.  Look forward to your guide’s expertise contributing much to your hiking today, as opportunities to discover the surrounding area abounds.  We’ll enjoy some lunch on the trail along the way, and look forward to the unique setting and fresh faces of tonight’s hut when we arrive.  See “Note on Itinerary” below for detailed information on which hut we plan to visit today and on the hiking options that we may choose to take advantage of after we arrive this afternoon.  Another delicious family-style dinner and evening program is provided at the hut tonight.

• Day 4

  After breakfast today, we’ll descend from the hut.  We plan to arrive back at our starting point between noon and 2:00 p.m. today, and lunch can be purchased at the lodge for those wishing to eat before heading home.  Trip participants are also welcome to stay an additional night at the AMC member rate discount to rest before leaving at trip’s end. If you are flying home tonight, please allow extra time for uncertainties or delays accordingly.  Meals provided: breakfast at the hut.

Hikes & Huts by Date Itinerary:

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• Aug 15-18 Mt. Washington Summit and Ebenezer’s Belgian Beer Festival

• Meeting place: AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch
  Order of accommodations: Highland Center, Lake of the Clouds Hut, Joe Dodge Lodge
  
  This unique itinerary features a trip to the very special Ebenezer’s Pub Annual Belgian Beer Festival – one of the most highly acclaimed events of its kind!  From the Highland Center, we hike to the Lake of the Clouds Hut, featuring an opportunity to summit Mt. Monroe.  In the morning, we can make the short hike to the summit of Mt. Washington before our descent to Joe Dodge Lodge and our VIP visit to Ebenezer’s for the festivities!

• Aug 29 - Sep 1 Labor Day in the Presidential Peaks

• Meeting place: Joe Dodge Lodge at Pinkham Notch
  Order of accommodations: Joe Dodge Lodge, Lake of the Clouds Hut, Mitzpah Springs Hut
  
  Our Labor Day getaway leaves from Joe Dodge Lodge at Pinkham Notch.  We ascend to the Lake of the Clouds Hut, with spectacular vistas, then continue on the following day to Mitzpah Springs.  Along the way we enjoy opportunities to summit Mt. Washington and Mt. Monroe and Mt. Eisenhower before returning to Joe Dodge for our final farewell.

• Sep 4-7 The Presidential Peaks

• Meeting place: Joe Dodge Lodge at Pinkham Notch
  Order of accommodations: Joe Dodge Lodge, Lake of the Clouds Hut, Mitzpah Springs Hut
  
  From Joe Dodge Lodge at Pinkham Notch, we ascend to the Lake of the Clouds Hut, with spectacular vistas, then continue on the following day to Mitzpah Springs.  Along the way we enjoy opportunities to summit Mt. Washington, Mt. Monroe and Mt. Eisenhower before returning to Joe Dodge for our final farewell.

• Sep 18-21 Early Autumn in the Willey Range

• Meeting place: AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch
  Order of accommodations: Highland Center, Zealand Falls Hut, Galehead Hut
  
  In mid-September we begin watching for fall colors to start showing.  From the Highland Center, we set out across the broad Zealand Valley, then climb to Zealand Falls Hut, featuring opportunities to summit Mt. Tom, Mt. Field, and Mt. Willey.  The next day’s hike leads us to Galehead Hut and the opportunity to summit Mt. Gyot.  We’ll hike out on the last day and return to the Highland Center at trip’s end.

• Sep 26-29 Early Autumn in the Franconia Range

• Meeting place: AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch
  Order of accommodations: Highland Center, Lonesome Lake Hut, Greenleaf Hut
  
  Anticipating the onset of fall color, we leave from the Highland Center, where a short shuttle takes us to the trailhead to begin our ascent to Lonesome Lake Hut.  From there, time permitting, we may choose to summit North Kinsman for fantastic views before returning to the hut for dinner.  The following day we hike back down the mountain and continue up the other side to Greenleaf Hut.  This more challenging hike gets us nearly to the top of Mt. Lafayette.  From there, conditions permitting, we’ll hike along Franconia Ridge, considered by many to be one of the most spectacular sections of the Appalachian Trail to be found anywhere, before descending via the Falling Waters Trail and returning to the Highland Center for our goodbyes.

• Oct 2-5 Fall Colors in the Franconia Range

• Meeting place: AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch
  Order of accommodations: Highland Center, Lonesome Lake Hut, Greenleaf Hut
  
  Great fall colors are anticipated on this hike, as we leave from the Highland Center on a short shuttle to the trailhead where we begin our ascent to Lonesome Lake Hut.  From there, time permitting, we may choose to summit North Kinsman for fantastic views before returning to the hut for dinner.  The following day we hike back down the mountain and continue up the other side to Greenleaf Hut.  This more challenging hike gets us nearly to the top of Mt. Lafayette.  From there, conditions permitting, we’ll hike along Franconia Ridge, considered by many to be one of the most spectacular sections of the Appalachian Trail to be found anywhere, before descending via the Falling Waters Trail and returning to the Highland Center for our goodbyes.

• Oct 9-12 Fall Colors in the Willey Range

• Meeting place: AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch
  Order of accommodations: Highland Center, Zealand Falls Hut, Galehead Hut
  
  The trees should still be ablaze in fall color as we leave the Highland Center, setting out across the broad Zealand Valley before climbing to Zealand Falls Hut, featuring opportunities to summit Mt. Tom, Mt. Field, and Mt. Willey.  The next day’s hike leads us to Galehead Hut and the opportunity to summit Mt. Gyot.  We’ll hike out on the last day and return to the Highland Center at trip’s end.

• Oct 16-19 Late Fall in the Franconia Range

• Meeting place: AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch
  Order of accommodations: Highland Center, Lonesome Lake Hut, Greenleaf Hut
  
  Anticipating fall colors to have just passed prime, this departure features the potential for late fall color to mix with snow in the higher elevations, delivering a dazzling combination of fall and winter scenery.  We leave from the Highland Center on a short shuttle to the trailhead where we begin our ascent to Lonesome Lake Hut.  From there, time permitting, we may choose to summit North Kinsman for fantastic views before returning to the hut for dinner.  The following day we hike back down the mountain and continue up the other side to Greenleaf Hut.  This more challenging hike gets us nearly to the top of Mt. Lafayette.  From there, conditions permitting, we’ll hike along Franconia Ridge, considered by many to be one of the most spectacular sections of the Appalachian Trail to be found anywhere, before descending via the Falling Waters Trail and returning to the Highland Center for our goodbyes.  If ice and snow are prevalent at higher elevations, we may descend the way we came up to Greenleaf before returning to the Highland Center, so hikers particularly motivated to get on the Appalachian Trail and traverse Franconia Ridge should consider an earlier departure of this itinerary.

Hikes & Huts by Date Itinerary:

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• Aug 15-18 Mt. Washington Summit and Ebenezer’s Belgian Beer Festival
• Aug 29 - Sep 1 Labor Day in the Presidential Peaks
• Sep 4-7 The Presidential Peaks
• Sep 18-21 Early Autumn in the Willey Range
• Sep 26-29 Early Autumn in the Franconia Range
• Oct 2-5 Fall Colors in the Franconia Range
• Oct 9-12 Fall Colors in the Willey Range
• Oct 16-19 Late Fall in the Franconia Range

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedules listed above, these itineraries are subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control including weather and terrain conditions.  This can include changes in the huts to be used, trails to be hiked, etc.  This trip is operated rain or shine.

Accommodations are bunk-style huts along the routes we hike.  Each hut has a number of rooms, each one sleeping several people in bunks.  As such, private rooms are not available on any of our departures.  There are no additional single fees assessed for single travelers.

All accommodations; meals as noted in the daily itinerary; professional guiding; taxes; transportation to and from trailheads when required; gratuity for the hut crews (though you may always opt to give more if you like).

Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point; insurance of any kind; alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; guide gratuities and items of a personal nature.

This trip is rated Moderate Plus (3-4), as the hiking portions of the trip involve carrying a 20-30 lb. backpack over terrain will elevation gain and loss for up to 8 miles daily.  To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest that you engage in a regular exercise regimen beginning at least three months prior to your departure.  Most important to your overall enjoyment is your overall fitness level.

Daytime temperatures usually range between 60-80 degrees F, with evening temperatures dropping to the 40s and 50s.  Late-season trips, such as our last October departure, should be expected to experience colder temperatures and prepare adequately.  Thunderstorms are a possibility at any time in the mountains making adequate raingear a necessity.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Weekend Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and detailed pre-trip information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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