Appalachian hut-to-hut hike

Your trip begins when you park your car at the Lafayette Campground Trailhead. Hike 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) on the Lonesome Lake Trail to Lonesome Lake Hut. It’s an easy hike with 832 meters (2,730 feet) of elevation gain that should take you 1-2 hours. Spend the night at Lonesome Lake Hut, and treat yourself to a dip in the lake before the AMC hut crew calls you in for dinner.

The next morning, take the Lonesome Lake Trail to the Old Bridle Path to get to Greenleaf Hut. This is a 7-kilometer (4.5-mile) hike with 774 meters (2,540 feet) of elevation gain. You’ll pass through a few false summits before you reach the hut just a bit below the treeline on Mt. Lafayette—we call them The Agonies!

After a hearty breakfast prepared by the AMC hut crew, take Greenleaf Trail and Garfield Ridge Trail to Galehead Hut. This is an 11-kilometer (7-mile) segment with 1031 meters (3,384 feet) of elevation gain.

Next up: Galehead Hut to Zealand Falls Hut via Twinway, a 10.3-kilometer (6.4-mile) trail with 615 meters (2,018 feet) of elevation gain. Did you work up a sweat? Splash around in the Zealand Falls just steps away from the hut.

Then the Ethan Pond and Webster Cliff Trails take you to Mizpah Spring Hut. This is a long haul: 21.5 kilometers (13.4 miles) with 1372 meters (4,504 feet) of elevation gain. If you prefer, you can break this segment into two days by hiking from Zealand Falls Hut to AMC’s Highland Center at Crawford Notch via the 8.7-kilometer (5.4-mile) A-Z and Avalon Trails. The Highland Center is a lovely lodge with a well-appointed store in case you need a mid-traverse restock. The second segment would take you from Highland to Mizpah Spring Hut via a 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) stretch of the Crawford Path.

Continue on the Webster Cliff Trail and the historic Crawford Path from Mizpah to the iconic Lakes of the Clouds hut. This is a 7.5-kilometer (4.7-mile) stretch with a 640-meter (2,095-foot) elevation gain.

Up and over! The next morning, take the Crawford Path over the Mt. Washington Summit and then continue on Gulfside to Madison Spring Hut. This 10.6-kilometer (6.6-mile) hike gives you 780 meters (2,562 feet) of elevation gain.

From Madison Spring Hut, head to the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center via Osgood, Osgood Cutoff, Madison Gulf, and Old Jackson Rd (a segment of the Appalachian Trail). 11 kilometers (7 miles) later, you’ll be resting your feet at Joe Dodge Lodge, not technically a hut, but a beloved AMC lodge at the base of Mount Washington.

It’s your penultimate day! Take Lost Pond and Wildcat Ridge trails for 8.7 kilometers (5.4 miles) to get to Carter Notch hut.

Time to return to reality. Take the Nineteen-Mile Brook Trail to the Nineteen-Mile Brook Trailhead parking area and catch the AMC Hiker Shuttle to get back to your car at the Lafayette Campground Trailhead. Congratulations on your AMC hut-to-hut hike!

The best time of the year to hike the Appalachian hut-to-hut hike trail is in summer and early fall. As you’re hiking in the mountains, be aware that weather conditions at the summits can be very different from weather conditions in the valleys. Be prepared for heavy wind and chilling temperatures during your hike, even if the weather is sunny and mild at the trailhead.

Keep in mind that the weather in the high mountains can change rapidly, and it’s important to be prepared for all conditions, including rain or snow. Always check trail conditions and local weather forecasts before starting an alpine hike. Make sure to bring the 10 essentials and consider taking a hut-to-hut hike with an AMC guide if this is your first overnight outing in the White Mountains.

Packing the 10 essentials will set you up to address the most unexpected challenges you may face outdoors. The key is to always pack these items—whether on a day hike or a multi-day trip—as these are the items that are essential to survival. You may not use all 10 essentials on every trip, but you’ll be glad you have them in case of an emergency or challenge. Carrying and knowing how to use the 10 essentials will empower you to keep yourself and your companions prepared for whatever may come your way.

Here’s a checklist of what to pack:

• 2-3 liters of water per day
• Enough food for your hike, plus a little extra just in case
• A map and compass
• Emergency shelter, like a lightweight tarp or space blanket
• Extra layers, like a hat, gloves, and insulated jacket
• Headlamp or flashlight
• Firestarter
• First aid kit
• Repair kit, like duct tape and multitool
• Sun protection