Appalachian Trail Hut-to-Hut Hiking

Presidential Peaks Itinerary:

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• Day 1 Meet your fellow travelers and Guides for dinner and pre-trip orientation at the Highland Center in Crawford Notch in the beautiful White Mountains.

  The trip begins today in New Hampshire's breathtaking White Mountains. We meet at the AMC Highland Center in Crawford Notch; feel free to arrive anytime between 2 and 5pm to check in and get comfortable. Short hikes can be recommended from lodge staff before dinner. We'll meet as a group in the dining room for our 6:00pm family-style dinner. We'll stay at the lodge tonight before starting out on our hiking route tomorrow. Meals provided: dinner.

• Day 2 Enjoy beautiful waterfalls and landscape along the oldest maintained trail in the US as we progress to Mizpah Springs Hut.

  Today we'll head across the street to the trailhead for the oldest maintained hiking trail in the United States, beginning our gradual ascent up to the Mizpah Springs Hut (at 3800 feet). The hike is thought of as moderately difficult, but there will be time to pause at a few small waterfalls along our route and plenty of opportunities to enjoy our guides' insights on the history of the area and the youngest hut in the Whites. Meals provided: Breakfast at the Lodge, bag lunch, dinner at Mizpah Springs Hut.
  
  Hiking Distance: 2.7 miles; Elevation Gain: 1,857 feet.
  Average Hiking Time: 2.5 hours.

• Day 3 Experience a “Day of Summits” as we climb up Mt. Pierce, Mt. Eisenhower, Mt. Franklin and Mt. Monroe with the apex of our journey being a potential ascent up Mt. Washington!

  This day starts with a climb to Mt. Pierce, the first of today's many summits. The rest of the trip is almost exclusively above tree line and goes over Mt. Eisenhower, Mt. Franklin, and Mt. Monroe. Enjoy the abundance of rare alpine plants and flowers as the Crawford Path follows the ridgeline, continuously gaining elevation while approaching Mt. Washington. A true highlight, this trail is one of the best spots in the Whites. If hikers are still feeling good, we'll drop most of our gear at the Lakes of the Clouds Hut (the highest in the chain) and take small daypacks to the summit of Mt. Washington. If you'd like to summit, be prepared for a 2-mile roundtrip from the hut with an elevation gain (and then loss) of almost 1,300 feet. Oftentimes, if the weather forecast looks better for the next day, a trip to the summit may be planned for after breakfast, before heading back down to the trailhead. Meals provided: Breakfast at the hut, bag lunch, dinner at Lakes of the Clouds Hut.
  
  Hiking Distance: 4.6 miles (7.4 miles if summiting Mt. Washington); Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,235 feet.
  Average Hiking Time: 5 hours (7-8 hours if summiting Mt. Washington).

• Day 4 Savor the last moments on the trail as we work our down to the beautiful Ammonoosuc River and eventually the trailhead.

  Early risers can take in the gorgeous sunrise views that our accommodations afford before fueling up with a hearty breakfast. The first mile and a half down from the hut are relatively steep – surefootedness is required! There are some impressive waterfalls, pools, and cliffs along our route today and most hikers will take this section rather slowly as both a measure of caution and to allow ample time to soak up the beauty of our surroundings. The final 1.5 miles of the trail flattens out considerably and follows the Ammonoosuc River to the trailhead. If you're in the mood for a dip, we'll pass some great potential swimming spots!

  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; reservations should be made prior to arrival if at all possible. If you are flying home tonight, please allow extra time for uncertainties or delays accordingly. Meals provided: Breakfast at the hut.
  
  Hiking Distance: 3.1 miles; Elevation Loss: 2,512 feet.
  Average Hiking Time: 3 hours.

Peaks & Valleys of the Pemigewasset Wilderness Itinerary:

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• Day 1 Meet your fellow travelers and Guides for dinner and pre-trip orientation at the Highland Center in Crawford Notch in the beautiful White Mountains.

  The trip begins today in New Hampshire's breathtaking White Mountains. We meet at the AMC Highland Center in Crawford Notch; feel free to arrive anytime between 2 and 5pm to check in and get comfortable. Short hikes can be recommended from lodge staff before dinner. We'll meet as a group in the dining room for our 6:00pm family-style dinner. We'll stay at the lodge tonight before starting out on our hiking route tomorrow. Meals provided: Dinner.

• Day 2 Enjoy the challenge and rewards of working our way along the magnificent trail to the most remote hut in the New Hampshire chain: Galehead Hut at 3800 feet.

  Our destination today is the most remote hut in the New Hampshire chain, Galehead Hut, at 3800 feet. After breakfast we'll shuttle to the Gale River Trailhead at 1600 feet to begin our journey. We'll warm up with a gentle descent aside a beautiful tributary brook eventually meeting up to an old logging road that climbs easily along the west side of the North Branch of the Gale River. Our trail gets a bit more challenging as we pass through an old logging camp site and outwash of an overgrown slide, eventually emerging at a gravel bank above the stream where there are fine views up the valley and toward the Twin Mountains. The trail now becomes significantly steeper and rougher as we climb to the junction with Garfield Ridge Trail. As we ascend along the Ridge trail, we'll catch glimpses of our final destination, Galehead Hut. Meals provided: Breakfast at the lodge, bag lunch,dinner at Galehead Hut.
  
  Hiking Distance: 4.6 miles; Elevation Gain: 2200 feet.
  Average Hiking Time: 4-6 hours.

• Day 3 Today we will summit South Twin Mountain as we make our way to Zealand Falls Hut.

  Our hut crew prepares wonderful hot breakfast for us today before we prepare our packs and 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 start the day's journey with a good climb to the highest point on the trip: South Twin Mountain, an accomplishment in itself, as in .8 miles we'll gain 1100 feet of elevation! Our guides are sure to pace our group, as we still have 6 miles to go. At the completion of South Twin, the next approx. 4+ miles meander up and down the Twinway ridge with amazing views along the ridge. The final approx. 1.5 miles drops rather quickly losing 1110 feet in elevation, down to Zealand Falls hut. The Zealand Falls hut is in a prime location to enjoy some of the area's most picturesque waterfalls and provides outstanding views at the eastern edge of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. We might even be lucky enough to spot a moose or observe other local wildlife! Meals provided: Breakfast at Galehead Hut, bag lunch,dinner at Zealand Falls Hut.
  
  Hiking Distance: 7 miles; Elevation Gain/Loss: up to 4902 feet and then down to eventual 2700 feet.
  Average Hiking Time: 6-8 hours.

• Day 4 Cherish the last few hours along the trail as we either hike from Zealand Falls to the Highland Center or take a more leisurely route to the Zealand Trailhead.

  After breakfast today, we'll depart from Zealand Falls Hut one of two ways. Depending on the group, we will either hike from Zealand Falls to the Highland Center or follow the more leisurely route to the Zealand Trailhead. 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; reservations should be made prior to arrival if at all possible. If you are flying home tonight, please allow extra time for uncertainties or delays accordingly. Meals provided: Breakfast at the hut.
  
  Hiking Distance: 2-5 miles; Elevation Gain Loss: 500-800 feet.
  Average Hiking Time: 1.5 to 2.5 hours.

On this trip we stay in AMC huts and lodges that highlight the beauty of the White Mountains. The Highland Center at Crawford Notch and Joe Dodge are both comfortable lodges with well-equipped common rooms. These eco-friendly lodges have heated, shared bedrooms and shared bathrooms with hot showers and towels. Phones and wireless Internet access are available in some locations. The final two nights we stay in more rustic huts along the trail. Each hut is unique, but we sleep in unheated bunkhouses where blankets and pillows are provided. Bathrooms have composting toilets. A small store is available to purchase snacks and other incidentals. After a full day of hiking, these huts and lodges offer a good night's sleep in a beautiful setting.

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.

Contact REI Adventures prior to purchasing your airline tickets to confirm that the trip has the minimum number of participants required to operate.

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 Vigorous (4), as we plan to hike for 5-8 hours per day most days on steep, rocky, sometimes exposed terrain, gaining and/or losing up to just over 3,000 feet in elevation some days. We will carry day packs while we hike as well. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip we suggest that you engage in a regular exercise regimen beginning at least three months prior to your departure. Most important to your enjoyment of the trip is your overall fitness level.

Manchester Airport, Manchester, NH – 115 miles, 2.25 hours

There is no reliable transfer service from any airport to our meeting place.  Anticipate renting a car if flying in for this weekend getaway.

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 at the time 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.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering.  To obtain maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection.  This gear list has been created to help you choose equipment for the trip.  Try to bring only what is necessary - this will help you and the field staff. 

Weather

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.

Gear Checklist