AT White Mountain Itinerary

[Tin Man]

Here is our tentative itinerary for later this summer. The idea is to avoid Huts, except Lake of the Clouds (weekday night already booked). We built in some lower mileage days anticipating a bad weather day or two where we may need to stay put and allow time to make up the mileage. Any thoughts or suggestions for improvement are appreciated. PM me if you know any great stealth sites.

Thank you!


AT White Mountains Itinerary

0.0 Franconia Notch

2.6 Liberty Springs Tentsite

7.7 Garfield Ridge Campsite

5.5 Guyout Campsite (0.7 mile side trail)

9.0 Ethan Pond Campsite

9.3 Nauman Tentsite

4.8 Lake of the Clouds Hut (reservations made)

10.0 Osgood Tentsite

4.8 Pinkham Notch

[the_iceman]

I was thru-hiking so I was in trail shape but a bit weary..

I did Franconia to Garfield - 10.3

Garfield to Zealand - 9.7

Zealand to Nauman - 14.1

Nauman to Madison (LOC refused to let us stay) - 11.8

Madison to Pinkham 7.8

The descent from Madison to Osgood via the AT is extremely steep in spots and rocky. I came down in the rain after a day of rain. I noticed this is your longest day and it could be a tough challenge. Make sure you have daylight left.

Plus LOC to Madison is above tree line and exposed most of the way. I was caught in hail and lightening and had to huddle in a squat position on my rubber pad while lightening struck around me. It cost me at least an hour and darkness came fast. I got to Madison, still lightening, just before needing my headlight.

[The Old Fhart]

I got to agree with the_iceman. I went from Lakes to Osgood when I did my thru hike and that is a longer day than most imagine. There aren't a lot of good options so if you go for it, get as early a start that day as possible. Also check the location of the Randolph Mountain Club fee shelters (The Perch and Grey Knob) in case the weather turns bad or you have to cut that day short for any reason. Because of the above tree line terrain and the exposure there are no spots to safely or legally stealth on that section. I'd still try to do the 10 miles if possible to avoid side trips to the RMC shelters and adding a day but be prepared for a tough day.

[Tin Man]

Thanks Iceman and TOF. We do plan to be up and out at first light on most days.

[burger]

I agree with the above commenters about going from Lakes to Osgood in one day. Aside from the climb up Mt. Washington, you have two bone-jarring descents that day (down Washington and then an extremely steep, seemingly endless descent down Madison). If I were doing this hike again on your mileages, I'd stop at Madison. Or alternately, I'd go from Nauman to Madison Hut in one day (a hard day but doable) and then out to Pinkham the next day.

[Tin Man]

How does going down Madison compare to going north down Moosilauke? We did Moosilauke in the rain and the upper third of the descent was in snow.

[Kerosene]

How does going down Madison compare to going north down Moosilauke? We did Moosilauke in the rain and the upper third of the descent was in snow.

Going down The Moose is certainly very steep and time-consuming (if you're smart...I ended up pushing too hard and over-working my quads which contributed to knee pain later in my hike).

Going down Madison and Osgood Ridge isn't nearly as steep, but most of it is above treeline, the footing is slippery, and it's a very slow process. Hikerhead and I went from LOC to an hour past Osgood Tent Site in mid-September 2006 on a lovely next-to-last day of hiking where we spent a lot of time taking pictures. We were trying to make it to Pinkham Notch and ran out of light. Tough day, even in good weather.

[rafe]

How does going down Madison compare to going north down Moosilauke? We did Moosilauke in the rain and the upper third of the descent was in snow.

It's been about 25 years since I've done it... but I remember it as long and steep and hard. And that was with a much fitter body...

[Blissful]

Madison has lots of good size rocks, steep descent. Very tough on knees. We went the other way on Moosilauke.

Lakes to Osgood will be a real tough day. Lots of scree to cross also. You can make more time actually through the Ethan Pond area.

[Tin Man]

If we arrive at Lake of the Clouds a day early or late, and they have space, will they allow us to stay using our pre-paid fee?

[Tin Man]

Does anyone know if the AMC allows you to transfer a reservation, say from LOC to Madison, for example?

[7Sisters]

If there is availability you can transfer.

[The Old Fhart]

7Sisters-"If there is availability you can transfer."

The problem is you may not know if there is any space available until you get to the hut. When I thru hiked, I wanted Mispah to check with Lakes to see if there was any room before we continued on in thick fog. The way the reservations system was set up, all the huts had to go through the main desk at Pinkham and not direct, hut-to-hut. they stopped doing reservations at 1 or 2PM and it was to late to check. If you want to transfer, make sure you check early so you don't get caught.

[7Sisters]

TOP

You're spot on. You can transfer, but the earlier the better and you'll need to go thru the Pinkham desk. I would suggest getting on that transfer now. Once on the trail it can be a real pain in the rear end and is best done first thing in the morning.

[Kerosene]

You can also try to adjust your reservation date at any of the Huts you pass to the south, but there's no guarantee that you'll get a bunk. Each Hut has a radio that they can use to call in a new or revised reservation.

[Tin Man]

You can also try to adjust your reservation date at any of the Huts you pass to the south, but there's no guarantee that you'll get a bunk. Each Hut has a radio that they can use to call in a new or revised reservation.

That's what I thought. Thanks.

[celt]

You can also try to adjust your reservation date at any of the Huts you pass to the south, but there's no guarantee that you'll get a bunk. Each Hut has a radio that they can use to call in a new or revised reservation.

Yes. The huts have a 7:50am up radio call with the AMC's reservations in Pinkham. 7:50 is usually when breakfast is wrapping up (a busy time) so If you want to make a day-of reservation change or addition I recommend inquiring the evening before with the front desk croo member of the hut you're staying at.

[camojack]

Here is our tentative itinerary for later this summer. The idea is to avoid Huts, except Lake of the Clouds (weekday night already booked). We built in some lower mileage days anticipating a bad weather day or two where we may need to stay put and allow time to make up the mileage. Any thoughts or suggestions for improvement are appreciated. PM me if you know any great stealth sites.

Thank you!

AT White Mountains Itinerary
0.0 Franconia Notch
2.6 Liberty Springs Tentsite
7.7 Garfield Ridge Campsite
5.5 Guyout Campsite (0.7 mile side trail)
9.0 Ethan Pond Campsite
9.3 Nauman Tentsite
4.8 Lake of the Clouds Hut (reservations made)
10.0 Osgood Tentsite
4.8 Pinkham Notch

Later this Summer when?

[Tin Man]

Dang! I have been sweating over my itinerary for weeks. Karl is going to execute my week-long plan in ONE DAY! Dang!

Go Karl go!

[Tin Man]

How is Verizon's cell cover along the AT in the Whites? I was going to leave the cell at home, but it looks like I will need to check in occassionally.