Appalachian Trail Hut-to-Hut Hiking – Presidential Peaks

Appalachian Trail Hut-to-Hut Hiking – Presidential Peaks

White Mountain Memories

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  • Activity Level: 4
  • Days: 4
  • Group Size: 4-12
  • Member price: from $749
  • Non-member price: from $849

Rising up at 6,289′, New Hampshire’s White Mountains are a stunning sight to behold. Dramatic, high peaks lead to sweeping vistas, gorgeous sunsets are replaced with spectacular sunrises, and rugged trails lead to rewarding adventure experiences. We spend most of our time following the iconic Appalachian Trail, but we take a few detours through other picturesque routes in the area. As we progress along the trail each day, we experience challenging terrain, stay in remote huts, and—weather permitting—we summit the incredible Mount Washington.

Along the way, our expert guides point out rare alpine vegetation, lead us to beautiful waterfalls and join us in experiencing the charm and camaraderie of these remote mountain huts. While our packs will be relatively light by normal backpacking standards, the trails we follow and the unpredictable mountain weather promise to provide a challenge to even the most seasoned outdoor enthusiast. Despite the challenge, the journey is more than worth it.

Looking for another option on the Appalachian Trail? Check out our Pemigewasset Wilderness hut-to-hut hiking trip.

Trip highlights

  • Hike the famous Appalachian Trail, full of brilliant Northeastern scenery
  • Summit peaks like Mount Washington
  • Stay in charming, remote mountain huts

Activities

  • Hiking

Accommodations

One night - AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch; 2 nights - rustic shared-room bunkhouse lodging at AMC huts.

Expand all days | View map

Our trip begins today at the AMC Highland Center in Crawford Notch, New Hampshire. Arrive at the AMC Highland Center between 3pm and 4:45pm to check into a dormitory-style room. If you arrive earlier in the day, the lodge staff is happy to recommend short hikes in the area. We meet our guides and fellow travelers at 5:30pm for an orientation and a review of the trip itinerary and gear list. We enjoy a family-style dinner, then turn in for the night in order to be well-rested for tomorrow’s hike. Dinner included.

We shuttle to the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trailhead to begin our hike. The first 1.5 miles of the trail is relatively flat with excellent views of waterfalls, ponds and the surrounding rugged cliffs and rock faces. The final 1.5 miles will test our endurance as we navigate an extremely steep and often wet trail to the Lakes of the Clouds Hut, the highest in the chain. The hut is co-ed bunkhouse style, with cold running water and composting toilets. Time, wind and weather permitting, an optional hike to the summit of Mount Washington (6,288’) may be possible. Wind speeds on Mount Washington, the highest peak in the northeastern United States, are some of the strongest ever recorded at up to 231 miles per hour. All meals included.

Hiking: 3.1 miles, 3 hours; elevation gain: 2,512'; Optional Mount Washington summit; 3 miles, 2.5 hours; elevation gain/loss: 1,300'.

Crawford Path, first established in 1819, is a designated National Recreation Trail. It leads us over Mount Monroe (5,372’), Mount Franklin (5,003’), Mount Eisenhower (4,780’) and Mount Pierce (4,311’). There is an abundance of rare alpine plants and flowers to be seen as we hike along ridgelines. Descending below the tree line, we reach Mizpah Spring Hut (3,800’), the youngest hut in the system. Note: Crawford Path Trail is almost exclusively above tree line; therefore, an alternate route will be used if wind and weather conditions are not favorable. All meals included.

Hiking Crawford Path: 5.1 miles, 6 hours; elevation gain/loss: 1,233'. Hiking without summits: 4.8 miles, 5 hours; elevation gain/loss: 1,233'.

Our final hike, weather permitting, takes us to the summit of Mount Jackson (4,052’). We then descend on the Webster-Jackson Trail and shuttle back to the AMC Highland Center to arrive between 2pm and 4pm. Depart for home, or extend your stay to explore more of the White Mountains on your own. Breakfast included.

Hiking: 4.5 miles, 5 hours; elevation gain/loss: 275'/2,152'.

Note on Itinerary

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.

Call 1-800-622-2236 to reserve this trip on the phone

Monday-Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time

Price Includes

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).

Not Included

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

Consider as you sign up

Airline tickets - Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip is confirmed with the minimum number of participants required to operate.

Travel insurance - To protect your travel investment, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. Please contact us or see details.

REI membership - Get a member discount on most REI Adventures trips plus other valuable benefits.

REI Co-op Mastercard® - Earn 5% back on REI Adventures trips and all REI net purchases. Learn more.

Additional Information

Cancellation and Transfer Policy

Full payment is due at sign up, fully refundable up to 30 days prior to departure.

If you decide to cancel your trip, the following fees apply and are due when we receive notice of your cancellation:
30+ days prior to departure = $0
15 to 29 days prior to departure = 50% of the total trip cost is non-refundable
0 to 14 days prior to departure = 100% of the trip cost is non-refundable

If you instead transfer to another trip, the following fees are due at the time of the request:
15+ days prior to departure = $0
0 to 14 days prior to departure = 100% of the trip cost is non-refundable

To protect your investment, we recommend that you purchase travel insurance.

Weather

The White Mountains are well known for inclement weather. Rain, wind and hail are to be expected any time of the year so adequate layers, raingear and a pack cover are essential. During the summer daytime temperatures range between 60° and 80° F, with evening temperatures dropping into the 40s and 50s. After September 1st fall temperatures are 40° to 65° during the day, with nights ranging from 20° to 50°. While wind chill can drop temperatures 10° to 20° or more during the summer, this is particularly noticeable in the fall when wind chill above tree line can be in the single digits, with 40 to 50 mph being common.

Single Travelers

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.

General Information

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. Additional trip information will be provided 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.

Adventure Expert

Heather

Bagging the Presidential Peaks while hiking through New England's alpine zone is a rewarding challenge in a beautiful environment. Having the hut experience and meeting the crews was definitely a highlight.

Lynniebird

Perfect Experience

I was so relieved that my boys (early 20's) thought it was adventurous/worthwhile enough for them, and at the same time, I felt safe and un-rushed. It was interesting being immersed in nature for 3 solid days, living ...

Read more reviews

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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.

Provided by REI

Required

Recommended

Optional

Travel Documents

  • Airline Tickets (Confirmation and Itinerary)
  • Final Bulletin (Emailed Prior to Departure Date)
  • Photo Identification

Contact Us

Feel free to give us a call at 1-800-622-2236 should you have any questions regarding the gear list. The staff at our stores and Direct Sales (1-800-426-4840) will also be happy to help you with gear questions. Or check out www.rei.com/learn. The Expert Advice section on our "Learn" page has great information to help you prepare for your trip.

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