White Mountains Hut-to-Hut Snowshoe

White Mountains Hut-to-Hut Snowshoe Itinerary:

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• Day 1 Welcome to Crawford Notch! Meet your guide and fellow snowshoers for dinner and orientation this evening.

  Your trip begins today at the Highland Center at Crawford Notch in New Hampshire. Given REI’s commitment to 100% carbon-neutral travel, this wonderful lodge showcasing green construction and energy efficient design is the perfect place to begin our adventure.  After an afternoon arrival between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. we’ll enjoy dinner at 6:00 p.m., then meet as a group to review the trip itinerary as well as safety protocols on the trail. We’ll also go over the gear list and make sure that everyone is adequately prepared for the hike. Meals provided: dinner.

• Day 2 Today we snowshoe into the heart of the White Mountains through the Zealand Valley to our remote hut.

  After a hearty buffet breakfast at the Highland Center, the group will get together to go over last-minute preparations and to divvy up food that will be taken to Zealand Falls Hut (each participant will be asked to carry a small amount of food for the entire group, as this is part of the overall experience and planning). Lunches will also be picked up before we head out. The group will be driven to Zealand Road (approximately 5 miles by vehicle), an access road open only during the summer and parts of spring and fall. From there, we’ll snowshoe in about three miles on the road before taking the Zealand Trail the rest of the way to the hut, a total distance of approximately 5.5 miles. After arriving at the hut, if time and conditions permit, we’ll take a quick trip up to Zeacliff, a rocky outcrop with amazing views of the valley below. Meals provided: breakfast at the Highland Center, bagged lunch, dinner at Zealand Falls Hut.

• Day 3 Our return trip to the Highland Center will take us snowshoeing via the A-Z trail before bidding farewell to your new friends!

  The group will have breakfast at Zealand Falls Hut before heading back to Crawford Notch today.  Strong groups in good weather may travel via the A-Z Trail, which stands for “Avalon” (a small peak that we may summit today) to “Zealand”, a 6.6-mile hike over fairly rugged terrain. The first part of the hike will involve a gradual ascent (2.7 miles) to the crest of the Willey Range via the col between Mt. Tom and Mt. Field. From there, we’ll take the Willey Range Trail (0.9 miles) to the summit of Mt. Field (4,340’) before descending via the Avalon Trail to the bare, open summit of Mt. Avalon (3,442’, reached in 1 mile). A half-mile later, we’ll rejoin the A-Z Trail for the final leg (1.8 miles) back to Crawford Notch and the Highland Center. Groups facing poor weather conditions or other limiting factors may travel back on the Zealand Trail.  Meals provided: breakfast at Zealand Falls Hut, bagged lunch.We plan to finish between 2:00pm and 4:00 p.m. Trip participants are welcome to stay an additional night at the AMC member rate discount or to head home from there. If you are flying home tonight, please allow extra time for uncertainties or delays accordingly.  Meals provided:  breakfast and lunch.

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. 

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

In the field, we’ll be sleeping in a bunk-style hut along the loop we plan to hike. As such, private rooms are not available on any of our departures. There are no additional single fees assessed for single travelers. 

One night lodging and dinner and one breakfast at the AMC Highland Center; one night lodging and dinner and one breakfast at the AMC’s Zealand Falls Hut along our route; lunches on Days 2 and 3; snowshoes and trekking poles; professional guiding; taxes; transportation to and from trailheads when required.

Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point; park entrance fees where required; 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 snowshoeing is an aerobic activity and we will be carrying packs weighing 25-35 pounds while traveling on some rugged terrain with elevation gain and loss each day.  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 enjoyment of the trip is your overall fitness level. 

Winter-time temperatures usually range between single digit negatives and positive 30’s F.   It is important to be prepared for all types of winter weather conditions including winter travel conditions as you drive to the Highland Center.  Roads are maintained but winter driving conditions may be present.

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

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

Winter-time temperatures usually range between single digit negatives and positive 30’s F.   It is important to be prepared for all types of winter weather conditions including winter travel conditions as you drive to the Highland Center.  Roads are maintained but winter driving conditions may be present.

Gear Checklist